Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security architect is designing a Zero Trust strategy. Which principle ensures that network location alone does not grant trust, and all access requests must be verified?
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
Verify explicitly
Correct. Verify Explicitly is the Zero Trust principle that requires continuous verification of every access request regardless of network location. It ensures that no implicit trust is granted based on being inside the corporate network.
B
Distractor review
Least privilege
Incorrect. Least privilege limits access rights to only what is needed, but it does not address the explicit verification of each request based on location.
C
Distractor review
Assume breach
Incorrect. Assume breach is about designing systems to limit the impact of a breach (e.g., micro-segmentation), not about verifying access requests.
D
Distractor review
Segregation of duties
Incorrect. Segregation of duties is a security control that prevents a single person from having conflicting roles, but it is not a core Zero Trust principle.
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.
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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: Verify explicitly — Zero Trust is built on three guiding principles: verify explicitly, least privilege, and assume breach. The principle 'verify explicitly' means always authenticate and authorize based on all available data points, including user identity, location, device health, and the sensitivity of the resource, rather than implicitly trusting the network location. Least privilege limits access rights, and assume breach focuses on minimizing blast radius. Segregation of duties is a related concept but not one of the core Zero Trust principles.
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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