- A
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth refers to using multiple layers of security controls to protect assets. It does not specifically address granting only the minimum permissions needed.
- B
Zero Trust
Why wrong: Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust and requires explicit verification, but it is not solely about minimum permissions; it encompasses identity, device, network, etc.
- C
Principle of least privilege
The principle of least privilege means users get only the permissions required to perform their job, minimizing potential damage from errors or attacks.
- D
Separation of duties
Why wrong: Separation of duties prevents a single individual from having too much control by splitting responsibilities, but it is not about limiting permissions to the minimum required.
Quick Answer
The answer is the Principle of Least Privilege, which is the correct choice because it mandates that every user, application, or system be granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their specific job duties, thereby reducing the attack surface and limiting the potential damage from a compromised account. On the Microsoft SC-900 exam, this concept frequently appears in scenarios about access control and security policies, often testing your ability to distinguish it from broader principles like separation of duties or defense in depth. A common trap is confusing least privilege with zero trust; remember that least privilege is a core component of zero trust but focuses specifically on minimal access rights, not continuous verification. In Microsoft 365, this is implemented through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Azure AD roles, where you assign granular permissions rather than broad admin roles. A helpful memory tip: think “need-to-know, need-to-do” — only grant the access required for the task at hand.
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 is implementing a new security policy that requires every user to have only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job duties. Which security principle does this policy align with?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
Principle of least privilege
The policy requiring every user to have only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job duties directly aligns with the Principle of Least Privilege. This principle dictates that users, applications, and systems should be granted the minimal level of access rights needed to complete their tasks, reducing the attack surface and limiting potential damage from compromised accounts. In Microsoft 365, this is implemented through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) roles and Azure AD roles, where administrators assign specific permissions rather than broad administrative roles.
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.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth refers to using multiple layers of security controls to protect assets. It does not specifically address granting only the minimum permissions needed.
- ✗
Zero Trust
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust and requires explicit verification, but it is not solely about minimum permissions; it encompasses identity, device, network, etc.
- ✓
Principle of least privilege
Why this is correct
The principle of least privilege means users get only the permissions required to perform their job, minimizing potential damage from errors or attacks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties prevents a single individual from having too much control by splitting responsibilities, but it is not about limiting permissions to the minimum required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Principle of Least Privilege with Zero Trust, but Zero Trust is a broader framework that includes least privilege as one of its core pillars, not the specific policy of minimizing permissions per user.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Principle of Least Privilege is enforced via access control lists (ACLs) and permission sets, such as Azure RBAC roles that define actions like 'Microsoft.Compute/virtualMachines/start/action' rather than granting full contributor access. In real-world scenarios, a helpdesk user might be assigned the 'Helpdesk Administrator' role in Azure AD, which allows resetting passwords but not managing billing, whereas a global administrator would have full access—violating least privilege if over-assigned. This principle is also critical for service principals and managed identities in Azure, where permissions are scoped to specific resources using role assignments.
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: Principle of least privilege — The policy requiring every user to have only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job duties directly aligns with the Principle of Least Privilege. This principle dictates that users, applications, and systems should be granted the minimal level of access rights needed to complete their tasks, reducing the attack surface and limiting potential damage from compromised accounts. In Microsoft 365, this is implemented through Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) roles and Azure AD roles, where administrators assign specific permissions rather than broad administrative roles.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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