- A
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth is a strategy that layers multiple security controls (e.g., firewalls, antivirus, access controls) to protect against threats. While important, it does not define the division of responsibilities between a cloud provider and customer.
- B
Shared responsibility model
The shared responsibility model clearly delineates security responsibilities between the cloud provider (Microsoft) and the customer. In IaaS, the customer manages more (applications, data) while the provider secures the physical layer; in PaaS/SaaS, the provider takes on more responsibility.
- C
Zero Trust
Why wrong: Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust and verifies every access request regardless of origin. It does not specifically define provider/customer responsibilities.
- D
Least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege is an identity and access management principle where users are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. It is not about cloud provider responsibilities.
Quick Answer
The answer is the shared responsibility model, which is the correct choice because it defines the clear division of security obligations between Microsoft and the customer in Azure. In this scenario, Microsoft secures the physical infrastructure—hardware, data centers, and networking—while the company retains full responsibility for securing its own applications, data, and identity management. On the SC-900 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how security ownership shifts depending on the service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS); a common trap is assuming Microsoft handles everything for IaaS, but the customer always manages data and access. A helpful memory tip is to think of it as “Microsoft owns the floor, you own what’s on it”—the provider protects the building, but you lock your own doors and guard your files.
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. 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.
A company is migrating its on-premises applications to Azure. The CIO states that the company is fully responsible for managing the security of its own applications and data, while Microsoft is responsible for the security of the underlying physical infrastructure, such as hardware and data centers. This division of security responsibilities is an example of which concept?
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
Shared responsibility model
The scenario directly describes the shared responsibility model, which delineates security obligations between the cloud provider and the customer. Microsoft secures the physical infrastructure (hardware, data centers, networking), while the customer is responsible for securing their own applications, data, and identity management. This division is a foundational concept in cloud computing, explicitly defined in Microsoft's documentation for Azure.
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 that layers multiple security controls (e.g., firewalls, antivirus, access controls) to protect against threats. While important, it does not define the division of responsibilities between a cloud provider and customer.
- ✓
Shared responsibility model
Why this is correct
The shared responsibility model clearly delineates security responsibilities between the cloud provider (Microsoft) and the customer. In IaaS, the customer manages more (applications, data) while the provider secures the physical layer; in PaaS/SaaS, the provider takes on more responsibility.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Zero Trust
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust and verifies every access request regardless of origin. It does not specifically define provider/customer responsibilities.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege is an identity and access management principle where users are granted only the permissions necessary to perform their job functions. It is not about cloud provider responsibilities.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the shared responsibility model with defense in depth, because both involve multiple security layers, but the question specifically asks about the division of responsibilities between provider and customer, not the layering of controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the shared responsibility model, Microsoft is responsible for the 'security of the cloud' (physical hosts, hypervisors, network infrastructure), while the customer is responsible for 'security in the cloud' (data, identities, app configurations, OS patches for IaaS). For PaaS services like Azure SQL Database, Microsoft manages the OS and database engine, but the customer still controls data access and encryption keys. This model is codified in the Microsoft Service Trust Portal and varies by service type (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
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
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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: Shared responsibility model — The scenario directly describes the shared responsibility model, which delineates security obligations between the cloud provider and the customer. Microsoft secures the physical infrastructure (hardware, data centers, networking), while the customer is responsible for securing their own applications, data, and identity management. This division is a foundational concept in cloud computing, explicitly defined in Microsoft's documentation for Azure.
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
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 is migrating its on-premises applications to Azure Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). According to the shared responsibility model, which of the following security responsibilities shifts from the customer to Microsoft during this migration?
medium- ✓ A.Physical security of the data center infrastructure
- B.Configuring network security groups (NSGs)
- C.Patching the operating system on virtual machines
- D.Managing user identities and access to the application
Why A: When migrating on-premises applications to Azure IaaS, the shared responsibility model shifts physical security responsibilities—such as data center access controls, environmental controls, and hardware security—from the customer to Microsoft. Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of all Azure data centers, including perimeter security, surveillance, and facility access management, which were previously the customer's responsibility in their own on-premises environment.
Variation 2. An organization is migrating its on-premises applications to Azure Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS). According to the shared responsibility model, which of the following security responsibilities remain with Microsoft? (Select two.)
medium- ✓ A.Physical security of the datacenters
- ✓ B.Network controls at the hypervisor layer
- C.Patching the guest operating system on the VM
- D.Configuring network security group (NSG) firewall rules
Why A: In the shared responsibility model for IaaS, Microsoft retains responsibility for the physical security of its datacenters, including access controls, surveillance, and environmental protections. Additionally, Microsoft manages security at the hypervisor layer, which includes network controls that isolate virtual machines from each other and from the underlying host. These responsibilities are inherent to the infrastructure provider and cannot be delegated to the customer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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