- A
Authentication and authorization
Smart card login verifies identity (authentication). Restricting file share access based on department controls what the user can do (authorization).
- B
Identification and accounting
Why wrong: Identification is claiming an identity, but the smart card provides proof, not just claim. Accounting tracks usage, which is not described in the scenario.
- C
Authorization and non-repudiation
Non-repudiation ensures actions cannot be denied (e.g., by digital signatures). The scenario does not involve proof of action.
- D
Confidentiality and integrity
Why wrong: Confidentiality protects data from unauthorized access, and integrity ensures data is not altered. While access controls support confidentiality, the scenario explicitly demonstrates authentication and authorization.
Quick Answer
The answer is authentication and authorization. The smart card login verifies the user’s identity, which is the core of authentication—proving who you are. The subsequent restriction to department-specific file shares controls what resources the user can access, which is the essence of authorization—determining what you can do. On the Microsoft SC-900 exam, this distinction is foundational: authentication always comes first (identity verification), followed by authorization (access control). A common trap is confusing the two when a scenario involves both steps, but remember that logging in is always authentication, while permissions on resources are always authorization. A useful memory tip is the phrase “AuthN before AuthZ”—think of the N in AuthN as “Name” (who you are) and the Z in AuthZ as “Zone” (where you can go).
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 company implements a security policy where employees must use a smart card to log into their workstations. After logging in, they can only access file shares that correspond to their department. Which two security concepts are demonstrated in this scenario?
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
Authentication and authorization
The smart card login verifies the user's identity, which is authentication. The subsequent restriction to department-specific file shares controls what resources the user can access, which is authorization. Together, these two steps demonstrate the security concepts of authentication (proving who you are) and authorization (determining what you can do).
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.
- ✓
Authentication and authorization
Why this is correct
Smart card login verifies identity (authentication). Restricting file share access based on department controls what the user can do (authorization).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Identification and accounting
Why it's wrong here
Identification is claiming an identity, but the smart card provides proof, not just claim. Accounting tracks usage, which is not described in the scenario.
- ✓
Authorization and non-repudiation
Why this is correct
Non-repudiation ensures actions cannot be denied (e.g., by digital signatures). The scenario does not involve proof of action.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Confidentiality and integrity
Why it's wrong here
Confidentiality protects data from unauthorized access, and integrity ensures data is not altered. While access controls support confidentiality, the scenario explicitly demonstrates authentication and authorization.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse authentication with identification, or think that authorization alone covers the scenario, but the smart card login explicitly demonstrates authentication as a separate step before authorization is applied.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Identification is claiming an identity, but the smart card provides proof, not just claim. Accounting tracks usage, which is not described in the scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Authentication in this scenario likely uses a smart card with a PKI certificate (X.509) and PIN, where the workstation validates the certificate against a trusted root CA. Authorization is enforced via NTFS permissions or Access Control Lists (ACLs) on file shares, often tied to Active Directory security groups that map to department membership. This separation of authentication and authorization is fundamental to the AAA framework (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) defined in RFC 2903.
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.
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Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — study guide chapter
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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: Authentication and authorization — The smart card login verifies the user's identity, which is authentication. The subsequent restriction to department-specific file shares controls what resources the user can access, which is authorization. Together, these two steps demonstrate the security concepts of authentication (proving who you are) and authorization (determining what you can do).
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 company portal by entering a username and password. After successful login, the system checks if the user is a member of the 'Sales' group and then grants access to the sales dashboard. Which two security concepts are demonstrated in this process? (Choose all that apply.) (Choose two.)
easy- ✓ A.Authentication
- ✓ B.Authorization
- C.Non-repudiation
- D.Accounting
Why A: Authentication is demonstrated because the user proves their identity by providing a username and password, which the system verifies before allowing access. This is the process of validating credentials, typically against a directory service like Azure AD or an on-premises Active Directory, confirming the user is who they claim to be.
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.
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