Quick Answer
The correct answer is a combination of a compliance policy and a conditional access policy. This works because the compliance policy checks the device’s OS version against your defined minimum requirement, marking any device below that threshold as non-compliant, while the conditional access policy then blocks that non-compliant device from accessing corporate email, typically via Exchange Online. On the SC-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Intune’s device compliance integrates with Azure AD conditional access to enforce access control, a core concept in Microsoft’s Zero Trust model. A common trap is thinking a compliance policy alone blocks access—it only reports status; the conditional access policy is what actually enforces the block. Remember the pairing: compliance checks the condition, conditional access enforces the gate.
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft security solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An organization uses Microsoft Intune to manage devices. They need to ensure that only devices with a minimum OS version can access corporate email. What should they configure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
App protection policy
Why wrong: Manages app data, not device compliance.
Device enrollment restriction
Why wrong: Controls enrollment, not ongoing access.
Compliance policy and conditional access
Combination enforces access based on device compliance.
Device configuration profile
Why wrong: Configures settings, doesn't enforce access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Compliance policy and conditional access
Option C is correct because combining a compliance policy (which checks the device OS version against a minimum requirement) with a Conditional Access policy (which blocks access if the device is non-compliant) is the standard Microsoft approach to enforce OS version requirements for accessing corporate email. The compliance policy marks devices below the minimum OS version as non-compliant, and the Conditional Access policy then denies access to Exchange Online or other corporate resources for those non-compliant devices.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
App protection policy
Why it's wrong here
Manages app data, not device compliance.
Device enrollment restriction
Why it's wrong here
Controls enrollment, not ongoing access.
Compliance policy and conditional access
Why this is correct
Combination enforces access based on device compliance.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Device configuration profile
Why it's wrong here
Configures settings, doesn't enforce access.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse Device enrollment restrictions (which set OS version limits at enrollment time) with Compliance policies (which enforce OS version requirements continuously after enrollment), leading them to pick Option B instead of C.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the compliance policy evaluates the device's OS version against a rule (e.g., 'Minimum OS version = 15.0') and generates a compliance state (compliant or non-compliant) that is stored in Azure AD. The Conditional Access policy then uses the 'Require device to be marked as compliant' grant control to block or allow access to Exchange Online; this integration relies on the device's compliance status being reported via the Intune service to Azure AD in near real-time. In a real-world scenario, if a user's device runs iOS 14 but the minimum is iOS 15, the compliance policy marks it non-compliant, and Conditional Access prevents the Microsoft Outlook app from fetching email until the device is updated.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Compliance policy and conditional access — Option C is correct because combining a compliance policy (which checks the device OS version against a minimum requirement) with a Conditional Access policy (which blocks access if the device is non-compliant) is the standard Microsoft approach to enforce OS version requirements for accessing corporate email. The compliance policy marks devices below the minimum OS version as non-compliant, and the Conditional Access policy then denies access to Exchange Online or other corporate resources for those non-compliant devices.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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. An organization uses Microsoft Intune to manage devices. They need to ensure that only devices with a compliant antivirus solution can access corporate email. Which policy type should be configured?
hardWhy B: Conditional Access policies can grant access based on device compliance, and compliance policies in Intune can require antivirus to be installed and active.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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