The correct answer is to configure a Conditional Access policy to require MFA for all cloud apps, enable Identity Protection to detect and automatically block risky sign-ins, and use the Identity Protection dashboard. This combination directly enforces Zero Trust by verifying every access attempt with MFA, while Identity Protection uses machine learning to analyze sign-in patterns and automatically block high-risk events in real time. On the SC-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Conditional Access and Identity Protection work together as the core identity layer of Zero Trust, often contrasting with Privileged Identity Management (which handles role activation) or Microsoft Sentinel (a SIEM for broader security). A common trap is confusing Identity Protection’s risk-based policies with Defender for Cloud Apps, which focuses on app-level shadow IT. Remember the mnemonic “CID” for this solution: Conditional Access enforces MFA, Identity Protection detects risk, and the Dashboard displays user risk levels.
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. 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.
Your organization is adopting a Zero Trust security model. You are tasked with implementing identity protection. The requirements are: enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users when accessing cloud applications, ensure that risky sign-ins are detected and blocked automatically, and provide administrators with a dashboard showing user risk levels. You have Microsoft Entra ID P2 licenses. What should you configure?
Configure Microsoft Sentinel to collect sign-in logs and create custom alerts for risky sign-ins.
Why wrong: Sentinel is a SIEM, not the primary identity protection tool.
B
Configure a Conditional Access policy to require MFA for all cloud apps, enable Identity Protection to detect and automatically block risky sign-ins, and use the Identity Protection dashboard.
This combination meets all requirements.
C
Configure Privileged Identity Management for all users and enable MFA.
Why wrong: PIM is for privileged roles, not all users.
D
Configure Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to require MFA and detect risky sign-ins.
Why wrong: Defender for Cloud Apps is for shadow IT, not identity risk.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure a Conditional Access policy to require MFA for all cloud apps, enable Identity Protection to detect and automatically block risky sign-ins, and use the Identity Protection dashboard.
Option A is correct because Conditional Access policy enforces MFA, Identity Protection detects and blocks risky sign-ins, and the Identity Protection dashboard shows risk. Option B is incorrect because Privileged Identity Management manages roles. Option C is incorrect because Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is for cloud app security, not identity risk. Option D is incorrect because Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM, not for identity protection.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Configure Microsoft Sentinel to collect sign-in logs and create custom alerts for risky sign-ins.
Why it's wrong here
Sentinel is a SIEM, not the primary identity protection tool.
✓
Configure a Conditional Access policy to require MFA for all cloud apps, enable Identity Protection to detect and automatically block risky sign-ins, and use the Identity Protection dashboard.
Why this is correct
This combination meets all requirements.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Configure Privileged Identity Management for all users and enable MFA.
Why it's wrong here
PIM is for privileged roles, not all users.
✗
Configure Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to require MFA and detect risky sign-ins.
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud Apps is for shadow IT, not identity risk.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-900 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — This question tests Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a Conditional Access policy to require MFA for all cloud apps, enable Identity Protection to detect and automatically block risky sign-ins, and use the Identity Protection dashboard. — Option A is correct because Conditional Access policy enforces MFA, Identity Protection detects and blocks risky sign-ins, and the Identity Protection dashboard shows risk. Option B is incorrect because Privileged Identity Management manages roles. Option C is incorrect because Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is for cloud app security, not identity risk. Option D is incorrect because Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM, not for identity protection.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-900 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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