The answer is reports on risky users and sign-ins, along with risk-based policies. These two capabilities form the core of Microsoft Entra ID Protection, which continuously analyzes trillions of signals to detect identity-related risks such as leaked credentials or anonymous IP addresses. The service then generates detailed reports on risky users and risky sign-ins, and it allows administrators to configure risk-based policies that automatically respond—for example, requiring multi-factor authentication when a sign-in risk is medium or high. On the SC-900 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish ID Protection’s specific risk-reporting and risk-policy functions from broader Entra features like passwordless authentication or Privileged Identity Management. A common trap is confusing Conditional Access with ID Protection, but remember: ID Protection provides the risk data, while Conditional Access enforces the policy. For a quick memory tip, think “ID Protection = risk reports + risk policies,” and keep the acronym R&R—Reports and Responses.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft security solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO capabilities are part of Microsoft Entra ID Protection? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Risk-based conditional access policies
Options B and D are correct. Entra ID Protection includes risk-based policies and reporting for risky users. Option A is incorrect because passwordless authentication is a feature of Entra ID, but not specifically ID Protection. Option C is incorrect because privileged identity management is Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management (PIM). Option E is incorrect because conditional access is a broader feature, but ID Protection provides risk-based conditional access.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Passwordless authentication
Why it's wrong here
Passwordless authentication is an authentication method, not a protection feature.
✓
Risk-based conditional access policies
Why this is correct
ID Protection allows policies based on user risk level.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Just-in-time privileged access
Why it's wrong here
Just-in-time access is a feature of PIM, not ID Protection.
✓
Reports on risky users and sign-ins
Why this is correct
ID Protection provides reports on detected risks.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Conditional access policies for device compliance
Why it's wrong here
Device compliance conditional access is part of Entra ID Conditional Access, not specifically ID Protection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-900 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Risk-based conditional access policies — Options B and D are correct. Entra ID Protection includes risk-based policies and reporting for risky users. Option A is incorrect because passwordless authentication is a feature of Entra ID, but not specifically ID Protection. Option C is incorrect because privileged identity management is Microsoft Entra Privileged Identity Management (PIM). Option E is incorrect because conditional access is a broader feature, but ID Protection provides risk-based conditional access.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-900 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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