What Happens When a DLP Policy Blocks External Sharing of Sensitive Data?
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft compliance 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.
A compliance administrator creates the DLP policy shown in the exhibit. When a user shares a document containing a credit card number with an external partner, what is the expected outcome?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The document is blocked from being shared externally, and the user receives a notification.
The DLP policy is configured with an action to block external sharing and notify the user when a credit card number is detected. When the user shares the document externally, the policy triggers this action, preventing the share and sending a notification to the user. This matches option A exactly.
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.
✓
The document is blocked from being shared externally, and the user receives a notification.
Why this is correct
The action 'BlockAccess' with 'BlockExternal' blocks external sharing, and 'NotifyUser' sends a notification.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The document is automatically deleted.
Why it's wrong here
No delete action is specified.
✗
A sensitivity label is automatically applied.
Why it's wrong here
The policy does not include any labeling action.
✗
The document is blocked from being shared both internally and externally.
Why it's wrong here
The behavior is 'BlockExternal', not 'BlockAll'.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse DLP actions with sensitivity label auto-classification or assume DLP deletes content, but DLP only blocks or restricts sharing based on policy rules.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DLP policies in Microsoft Purview use conditions (e.g., sensitive info types like credit card numbers) and actions (e.g., block external sharing, notify user). The policy engine evaluates the content in real-time during sharing attempts via Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, or OneDrive for Business. The 'Block' action overrides the share at the transport or access layer, and the notification is sent via email or policy tip.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The document is blocked from being shared externally, and the user receives a notification. — The DLP policy is configured with an action to block external sharing and notify the user when a credit card number is detected. When the user shares the document externally, the policy triggers this action, preventing the share and sending a notification to the user. This matches option A exactly.
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.
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Variation 1. Refer to the exhibit. An administrator creates a DLP rule as shown. What is the expected outcome when a user tries to share a file containing a U.S. Social Security Number with an external recipient?
medium
A.The sharing is blocked only if the user is not the file owner.
B.The sharing is allowed, but an audit event is generated.
C.The file is shared, but the user is notified and must provide justification.
✓ D.The sharing is blocked, and the user receives a notification.
Why D: Option D is correct because the DLP rule is configured with an action of 'Block' (or 'BlockAccess') and user notification enabled. When a user attempts to share a file containing a U.S. SSN with an external recipient, the rule blocks the sharing and displays a notification to the user explaining that the action is blocked. Option A is incorrect because the rule applies to all users, not just non-owners. Option B is incorrect because the rule does more than generate an audit event; it actively blocks the sharing. Option C is incorrect because the rule blocks the action outright, rather than allowing it with justification.
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Question Discussion
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