- A
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
DLP policies can be configured to detect custom phrases in emails and automatically block the email from being sent, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized sharing.
- B
Information Protection (sensitivity labels)
Why wrong: Sensitivity labels classify and protect documents/emails, but they do not automatically block the transmission of content based on keyword detection; they rely on manual or automatic labeling.
- C
Data Lifecycle Management (retention policies)
Why wrong: Retention policies manage how long content is kept and when it is deleted, but they do not detect or block sharing of sensitive information in real time.
- D
Audit
Why wrong: Audit (Unified Audit Log) records user and admin activities for investigation, but it does not proactively block emails from being sent.
Quick Answer
The answer is Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP). DLP is the correct choice because it allows you to create a policy that inspects both the subject line and body of an email for specific phrases like 'Confidential-Financial', and then automatically blocks the message from being sent—regardless of whether the recipient's domain is internal or external. This capability is central to preventing unauthorized sharing of sensitive financial reports, as DLP policies enforce actions such as blocking delivery or sending a notification to the user. On the SC-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how DLP differs from other solutions like Information Protection or Insider Risk Management; a common trap is confusing DLP with sensitivity labels, but remember that DLP focuses on *detecting and blocking* content in transit, not just classifying it. For a quick memory tip, think "DLP = Detect, Lock, Prevent"—it actively stops the email from leaving your organization.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft compliance solutions. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 needs to ensure that employees cannot share sensitive financial reports with external parties via email. They want to automatically detect and block emails that contain the phrase 'Confidential-Financial' in the subject line or body, regardless of the recipient's domain. Which Microsoft Purview solution 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
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is the correct solution because it is specifically designed to detect and automatically block sensitive content—such as the phrase 'Confidential-Financial'—in emails, regardless of the recipient's domain. DLP policies can inspect subject lines and body text, then enforce actions like blocking delivery or notifying the user, making it ideal for preventing unauthorized external sharing of financial reports.
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.
- ✓
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Why this is correct
DLP policies can be configured to detect custom phrases in emails and automatically block the email from being sent, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized sharing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Information Protection (sensitivity labels)
Why it's wrong here
Sensitivity labels classify and protect documents/emails, but they do not automatically block the transmission of content based on keyword detection; they rely on manual or automatic labeling.
- ✗
Data Lifecycle Management (retention policies)
Why it's wrong here
Retention policies manage how long content is kept and when it is deleted, but they do not detect or block sharing of sensitive information in real time.
- ✗
Audit
Why it's wrong here
Audit (Unified Audit Log) records user and admin activities for investigation, but it does not proactively block emails from being sent.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Information Protection (sensitivity labels) with DLP, thinking labels alone can block emails, but labels only classify and encrypt—blocking requires a DLP policy to enforce actions based on label conditions or content matches.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
Sensitivity labels classify and protect documents/emails, but they do not automatically block the transmission of content based on keyword detection; they rely on manual or automatic labeling.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DLP policies in Microsoft Purview use deep content analysis via Exact Data Match (EDM) or keyword matching to scan email subject lines, body, and attachments. When a policy detects a sensitive pattern like 'Confidential-Financial', it can trigger actions such as blocking the email, sending an end-user notification, or generating an incident report in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal. This works at the transport layer via Exchange Online mail flow rules, ensuring enforcement before the email leaves the organization.
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.
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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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-900 question test?
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: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) — Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is the correct solution because it is specifically designed to detect and automatically block sensitive content—such as the phrase 'Confidential-Financial'—in emails, regardless of the recipient's domain. DLP policies can inspect subject lines and body text, then enforce actions like blocking delivery or notifying the user, making it ideal for preventing unauthorized external sharing of financial reports.
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. Your organization uses Microsoft 365 and wants to automatically quarantine suspicious emails before they reach users' inboxes. Which solution should you configure?
medium- A.Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention
- B.Microsoft Sentinel
- C.Microsoft Intune
- ✓ D.Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Why D: Option A is correct because Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (part of Microsoft 365 Defender) includes Safe Attachments and Safe Links that can quarantine malicious emails. Option B is wrong because Microsoft Purview focuses on compliance, not security. Option C is wrong because Microsoft Intune manages devices. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM, not an email security solution.
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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