Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security architect is designing a defense strategy for a company's IT infrastructure. The strategy includes deploying a network firewall, using an intrusion detection system, installing antivirus software on all endpoints, and requiring multi-factor authentication for all user accounts. The architect explains that if the firewall fails, the IDS can detect an intrusion, and if the IDS misses something, the antivirus might catch it, and MFA can protect even if credentials are compromised. Which security principle best describes this layered approach?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Defense in depth
Defense in depth uses multiple overlapping security controls so that the failure of one layer does not leave the organization unprotected.
B
Distractor review
Least privilege
Least privilege is about limiting user permissions to the minimum necessary, not about multiple layers of controls.
C
Distractor review
Zero Trust
Zero Trust is a security model that eliminates trust based on network location and requires continuous verification, but it is not specifically the layered control concept described.
D
Distractor review
Shared responsibility
Shared responsibility is a cloud computing model that defines which security tasks are handled by the provider versus the customer, not a defense-in-depth strategy.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A company must retain all customer contracts for 10 years to comply with industry regulations. After 10 years, the contracts must be permanently deleted. Which Microsoft Purview solution should be used to automate this process?
Question 2
A company uses a cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) application for customer relationship management. According to the shared responsibility model, which security responsibility is primarily handled by the customer?
Question 3
A company runs a mix of on-premises servers and Azure virtual machines. They deploy Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on all servers. The security team wants to create custom queries to hunt for a specific attack pattern that involves a sequence of events across multiple machines, such as a PowerShell script being downloaded and then executed on several servers. They need to write their own detection rules based on advanced hunting data. Which Microsoft 365 Defender capability should they use?
Question 4
A company runs a consumer-facing e-commerce website and wants to allow customers to sign in using their existing social media accounts such as Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Which Microsoft Entra ID solution should they implement?
Question 5
A company has a hybrid identity environment with Active Directory synchronizing to Microsoft Entra ID. They want users to be able to reset their own on-premises passwords via the cloud SSPR portal. What is the minimum license required for this capability?
Question 6
A company uses a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that is delivered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). According to the shared responsibility model, which security responsibility is primarily handled by the customer?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-900 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Defense in depth — Defense in depth is the cybersecurity strategy that uses multiple layers of security controls (e.g., network, endpoint, identity) to create redundancy. If one layer is breached, subsequent layers can still prevent or mitigate an attack. Least privilege focuses on granting only necessary permissions. Zero Trust is a model that assumes no implicit trust and continuously verifies, but it is broader than the layered control approach. Shared responsibility describes the division of security tasks between a cloud provider and customer.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
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