- A
Microsoft Entra ID Protection
Why wrong: Identity Protection detects risks like unfamiliar sign-in properties, but it uses risk levels rather than directly checking trusted locations and known devices. It can require MFA based on risk, but the scenario explicitly wants to allow trusted locations and known devices to skip MFA, which is more granularly configured in Conditional Access.
- B
Microsoft Entra Conditional Access
Conditional Access enables policies that evaluate conditions including user/group, location (via named locations), device state (compliant, domain-joined), and application. It can require MFA for untrusted locations/devices and allow access without MFA for trusted ones.
- C
Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
Why wrong: PIM provides just-in-time privileged role activation and approval workflows; it does not control sign-in conditions for regular users.
- D
Microsoft Entra Access Reviews
Why wrong: Access Reviews are used to periodically review and certify group memberships or application access, not to enforce MFA based on sign-in context.
Conditional Access — Unfamiliar Locations and MFA Enforcement | Microsoft SC-900 Explained
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft entra. 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. A key principle to apply: conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements.. 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 uses Microsoft Entra ID. The security team wants to configure a policy so that when a user signs in from an unfamiliar location (not on the company's trusted IP ranges) or from an unfamiliar device, they are prompted for additional verification (e.g., MFA). However, if the sign-in is from a trusted location (e.g., office IP range) and a known device, no additional verification is required. Which Microsoft Entra ID feature should they configure?
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
Microsoft Entra Conditional Access
Microsoft Entra Conditional Access is the correct feature because it allows administrators to define policies that evaluate sign-in context—such as user location (via named locations with trusted IP ranges) and device state (compliant or hybrid Azure AD joined)—and then enforce actions like requiring MFA only when conditions are not met. This directly matches the requirement to prompt for additional verification from unfamiliar locations or devices while skipping it for trusted ones.
Key principle: Conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Microsoft Entra ID Protection
Why it's wrong here
Identity Protection detects risks like unfamiliar sign-in properties, but it uses risk levels rather than directly checking trusted locations and known devices. It can require MFA based on risk, but the scenario explicitly wants to allow trusted locations and known devices to skip MFA, which is more granularly configured in Conditional Access.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asking which feature detects and reports risky sign-ins (e.g., from anonymous IP addresses or leaked credentials) without requiring policy enforcement would make ID Protection correct.
- ✓
Microsoft Entra Conditional Access
Why this is correct
Conditional Access enables policies that evaluate conditions including user/group, location (via named locations), device state (compliant, domain-joined), and application. It can require MFA for untrusted locations/devices and allow access without MFA for trusted ones.
Related concept
Conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements.
- ✗
Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
Why it's wrong here
PIM provides just-in-time privileged role activation and approval workflows; it does not control sign-in conditions for regular users.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asks: 'The security team needs to require approval for activating the Global Administrator role and limit its usage to a specific time window.' In that scenario, PIM is the correct feature to configure role activation policies.
- ✗
Microsoft Entra Access Reviews
Why it's wrong here
Access Reviews are used to periodically review and certify group memberships or application access, not to enforce MFA based on sign-in context.
When this WOULD be correct
An exam question might ask: 'The compliance team needs to verify that all users with access to a sensitive application still require that access. Which feature should they use?' In that case, Access Reviews would be correct.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The SC-900 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Microsoft Entra Conditional AccessCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
Conditional Access enables policies that evaluate conditions including user/group, location (via named locations), device state (compliant, domain-joined), and application. It can require MFA for untrusted locations/devices and allow access without MFA for trusted ones.
✗Microsoft Entra ID ProtectionWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Microsoft Entra ID Protection identifies risks like unfamiliar sign-in properties but does not enforce access policies; it only provides risk signals. Conditional Access is needed to actually require MFA based on those signals.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asking which feature detects and reports risky sign-ins (e.g., from anonymous IP addresses or leaked credentials) without requiring policy enforcement would make ID Protection correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates confuse risk detection (ID Protection) with risk-based policy enforcement (Conditional Access), assuming the feature that identifies risks also automatically applies controls.
✗Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management (PIM)Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Privileged Identity Management (PIM) manages just-in-time privileged role activation and oversight, not sign-in risk policies based on location or device trust. The described policy requires Conditional Access to evaluate conditions like location and device state before prompting for MFA.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asks: 'The security team needs to require approval for activating the Global Administrator role and limit its usage to a specific time window.' In that scenario, PIM is the correct feature to configure role activation policies.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse PIM's role-based access controls with general access policies, or assume 'identity protection' features like risk-based policies are part of PIM, leading them to select it for any security policy involving identities.
✗Microsoft Entra Access ReviewsWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Access Reviews are used to review and certify user access rights periodically, not to enforce real-time sign-in policies based on location or device trust.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
An exam question might ask: 'The compliance team needs to verify that all users with access to a sensitive application still require that access. Which feature should they use?' In that case, Access Reviews would be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse Access Reviews with security policies because both involve access control, but Access Reviews focus on attestation and certification, not on conditional enforcement during sign-in.
Analysis generated from the official SC-900blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Microsoft Entra ID Protection with Conditional Access, but ID Protection provides risk signals (e.g., unfamiliar sign-in properties) that can be used by Conditional Access policies, not the policy engine itself that enforces location- and device-based MFA prompts.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Identity Protection detects risks like unfamiliar sign-in properties, but it uses risk levels rather than directly checking trusted locations and known devices. It can require MFA based on risk, but the scenario explicitly wants to allow trusted locations and known devices to skip MFA, which is more granularly configured in Conditional Access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Conditional Access policies evaluate conditions such as location (using named locations defined by IPv4/IPv6 ranges or country/region), device state (compliant via Intune or hybrid Azure AD join), and user risk, then apply controls like requiring MFA or blocking access. A subtle behavior is that 'familiar device' is not a built-in condition; instead, administrators typically use device compliance or registration status as a proxy, and the 'familiar location' is defined by trusted IP ranges in the named locations configuration. In a real-world scenario, a company might combine Conditional Access with a session control to require MFA only when a user signs in from a new IP address outside the corporate VPN range, while allowing seamless access from known office IPs and managed devices.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements.
- Named locations define trusted IP ranges for Conditional Access.
- Device state (e.g., compliant, hybrid Azure AD joined) can be a condition.
- Conditional Access can require MFA, block access, or require compliant devices.
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
Conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements.
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.
Review conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements., then practise related SC-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
- →
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SC-900 questions
1,411 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals SC-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SC-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
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.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions.
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity.
SC-900 fundamentals practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to SC-900 fundamentals.
SC-900 scenario practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to SC-900 scenario.
SC-900 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SC-900 questions linked to SC-900 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SC-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-900 question test?
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra — Conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Microsoft Entra Conditional Access — Microsoft Entra Conditional Access is the correct feature because it allows administrators to define policies that evaluate sign-in context—such as user location (via named locations with trusted IP ranges) and device state (compliant or hybrid Azure AD joined)—and then enforce actions like requiring MFA only when conditions are not met. This directly matches the requirement to prompt for additional verification from unfamiliar locations or devices while skipping it for trusted ones.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Review conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements., then practise related SC-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Conditional Access policies are 'if-then' statements.
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 →
Keep practising
More SC-900 practice questions
- An organization uses Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager to track compliance with regulations. The compliance officer n…
- A company uses Microsoft Teams and wants to ensure that messages containing offensive language are flagged for review. W…
- A financial services firm uses Microsoft Purview Information Barriers to prevent traders from communicating with investm…
- A company uses a cloud-based SaaS (Software as a Service) application for customer relationship management. According to…
- A company has a document management system. The security policy requires that a user in the Sales department can only vi…
- A company implements a security measure to ensure that only authorized employees can view sensitive customer records. Wh…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.