- A
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth is a strategy using multiple layers of security controls (e.g., firewalls, encryption). Regular access reviews do not directly implement this principle.
- B
Zero trust
Why wrong: Zero trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust and continuously verifies every access request. While access reviews support zero trust, the specific focus on ensuring minimal permissions aligns more directly with least privilege.
- C
Least privilege
Least privilege means granting users the minimum level of access required. Regular access reviews are a key governance practice to uphold least privilege by detecting and removing excessive permissions.
- D
Separation of duties
Why wrong: Separation of duties divides critical tasks among multiple users to prevent fraud or error. Access reviews focus on individual permissions, not task division.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is the principle of least privilege. This is because regular access reviews directly enforce minimal permissions by requiring data owners to periodically certify that each user’s access rights align strictly with their current job functions, removing any excessive permissions that may have accumulated over time. On the Microsoft SC-900 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how identity governance tools like Azure AD access reviews operationalize the least privilege principle to reduce the attack surface. A common trap is confusing least privilege with segregation of duties or role-based access control—remember that least privilege is the *goal* of minimizing permissions, while access reviews are the *mechanism* that verifies it. Memory tip: think “certify to clarify”—if a data owner must certify access, they are enforcing the least privilege principle by clarifying what is truly needed.
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 security architect is designing a system where user access rights are reviewed and certified on a regular basis by data owners. The goal is to ensure that users continue to have only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions and that no excessive permissions exist. Which security principle is primarily being implemented through these regular reviews?
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
Least privilege
Option C is correct because regular access reviews directly enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring users retain only the permissions necessary for their current job functions. This process identifies and removes excessive permissions that may have accumulated over time, aligning with the core goal of minimizing the attack surface. In Microsoft 365, this is often implemented through Azure AD access reviews, where data owners certify or revoke user access.
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 is a strategy using multiple layers of security controls (e.g., firewalls, encryption). Regular access reviews do not directly implement this principle.
- ✗
Zero trust
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust and continuously verifies every access request. While access reviews support zero trust, the specific focus on ensuring minimal permissions aligns more directly with least privilege.
- ✓
Least privilege
Why this is correct
Least privilege means granting users the minimum level of access required. Regular access reviews are a key governance practice to uphold least privilege by detecting and removing excessive permissions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Separation of duties
Why it's wrong here
Separation of duties divides critical tasks among multiple users to prevent fraud or error. Access reviews focus on individual permissions, not task division.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the periodic review of permissions with the zero trust model, but zero trust focuses on continuous verification at each access request rather than periodic certification of existing rights.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure AD access reviews leverage the Microsoft Graph API to query user assignments to roles, groups, or applications, and generate a review workflow that sends notifications to designated reviewers. The reviewer can approve or deny each user’s access, and after the review period, Azure AD automatically removes denied assignments. A real-world scenario is reviewing members of an Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) role to ensure no user retains standing admin access longer than necessary, reducing the risk of lateral movement.
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.
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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: Least privilege — Option C is correct because regular access reviews directly enforce the principle of least privilege by ensuring users retain only the permissions necessary for their current job functions. This process identifies and removes excessive permissions that may have accumulated over time, aligning with the core goal of minimizing the attack surface. In Microsoft 365, this is often implemented through Azure AD access reviews, where data owners certify or revoke user access.
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
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Same concept, more angles
2 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. A company configures its access control system so that each user can only access the data and perform actions that are strictly necessary for their job role. This configuration is a direct implementation of which security principle?
easy- A.Defense in depth
- ✓ B.Least privilege
- C.Separation of duties
- D.Zero Trust
Why B: The configuration described—granting each user only the access and actions strictly necessary for their job role—is the direct definition of the least privilege principle. In Microsoft identity and access management, this is implemented by assigning the minimum required permissions via Azure RBAC roles (e.g., Reader instead of Contributor) or using Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for just-in-time access. This minimizes the attack surface by ensuring users cannot exceed their authorized scope.
Variation 2. A company configures its identity and access management system so that employees are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. For example, a sales representative has read-only access to the customer database and cannot modify financial records. Which security principle is being applied in this scenario?
easy- A.Segregation of duties
- B.Defense in depth
- ✓ C.Least privilege
- D.Zero Trust
Why C: The scenario describes granting employees only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions, which is the core definition of the least privilege principle. In Microsoft identity and access management, this is implemented by assigning the minimum required Azure RBAC roles or Microsoft Entra ID directory roles, ensuring users have no more access than needed. This directly reduces the attack surface and limits potential damage from compromised accounts.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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