- A
Identification
Why wrong: Identification is the process of claiming an identity (e.g., presenting the card ID), not the subsequent check of permissions.
- B
Authentication
Why wrong: Authentication verifies that the identity claim is genuine, often through a password or biometric. Here, the system is not verifying the card's authenticity; it is checking the ID against a permission list.
- C
Authorization
Authorization is the process of verifying that an authenticated identity is allowed to perform a specific action or access a resource. The system checking the card ID against a list of authorized rooms is a classic example of authorization.
- D
Non-repudiation
Why wrong: Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny an action, often using digital signatures. It is not demonstrated in this simple key card scenario.
Quick Answer
The answer is authorization. The system checks the ID number against a list of authorized rooms to determine whether the guest is permitted to unlock the door, which is the core function of authorization: granting or denying access rights based on a verified identity. Authentication—proving who you are—happened earlier when the card was issued or when the system read the ID; the subsequent check against the list is purely about permissions, not identity verification. On the Microsoft SC-900 exam, this distinction is frequently tested with real-world scenarios like key cards or login portals, and a common trap is confusing the initial identity check (authentication) with the permission check (authorization). Remember the mnemonic: “AuthN is who you are, AuthZ is what you can do.”
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A hotel uses a key card system. Guests insert their card into the door lock, which reads the card's ID number. The system checks the ID number against a list of authorized rooms. If the ID matches an authorized room, the door unlocks. In this scenario, which concept is demonstrated when the system checks the ID number against the list of authorized rooms?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Authorization
The system checks the ID number against a list of authorized rooms to determine what action (unlocking the door) the guest is allowed to perform. This is the definition of authorization: granting or denying access rights based on verified identity. Authentication (proving who you are) has already occurred when the card was issued or when the system reads the ID; the check against the list is purely about permissions.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Identification
Why it's wrong here
Identification is the process of claiming an identity (e.g., presenting the card ID), not the subsequent check of permissions.
- ✗
Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication verifies that the identity claim is genuine, often through a password or biometric. Here, the system is not verifying the card's authenticity; it is checking the ID against a permission list.
- ✓
Authorization
Why this is correct
Authorization is the process of verifying that an authenticated identity is allowed to perform a specific action or access a resource. The system checking the card ID against a list of authorized rooms is a classic example of authorization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny an action, often using digital signatures. It is not demonstrated in this simple key card scenario.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'checking the ID' with authentication, but the scenario explicitly states the ID is already read and the check is against a list of authorized rooms, which is a permission check, not a proof-of-identity check.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny an action, often using digital signatures. It is not demonstrated in this simple key card scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In access control models (e.g., RBAC or DAC), authorization typically occurs after authentication and involves evaluating an access control list (ACL) or policy. For a key card system, the door lock's firmware compares the card's unique identifier against a stored ACL of room numbers; if the ID is present, the lock actuator is triggered. Real-world systems like RADIUS or Kerberos separate authentication (e.g., via PAP or AS-REQ) from authorization (e.g., via Access-Accept or TGS ticket), highlighting the distinct phases.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SC-900 questions
1,411 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals SC-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SC-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SC-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions.
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity.
SC-900 fundamentals practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to SC-900 fundamentals.
SC-900 scenario practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to SC-900 scenario.
SC-900 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to SC-900 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SC-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-900 question test?
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — This question tests Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Authorization — The system checks the ID number against a list of authorized rooms to determine what action (unlocking the door) the guest is allowed to perform. This is the definition of authorization: granting or denying access rights based on verified identity. Authentication (proving who you are) has already occurred when the card was issued or when the system reads the ID; the check against the list is purely about permissions.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SC-900
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user logs into a corporate laptop by inserting a smart card and entering a PIN. The user then attempts to open a confidential folder. The operating system checks the user's access rights and denies access. Which security concepts are demonstrated in this scenario?
hard- A.Identification and authorization
- ✓ B.Authentication and authorization
- C.Authentication and accounting
- D.Identification and authentication
Why B: The scenario demonstrates authentication (verifying the user's identity via smart card + PIN) and authorization (the OS checking access rights and denying access to the folder). Authentication confirms who the user is, while authorization determines what resources they can access. Option B correctly pairs these two concepts.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SC-900 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SC-900 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.