Question 1,366 of 1,411

Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is Microsoft retains responsibility for securing the underlying application code and platform. This is correct because in the shared responsibility model for SaaS, the cloud provider manages the entire service stack, including the operating system, application runtime, and physical infrastructure, while the customer controls only user data and access configurations. For the SC-900 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how responsibilities shift between customer and provider across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS; a common trap is assuming the customer must patch the application or OS in a SaaS deployment like Microsoft 365 E5. Remember the memory tip: in SaaS, the provider secures the “stack” beneath your data, so think “SaaS = Software as a Service, provider secures the service itself.”

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 subscribes to Microsoft 365 E5, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering. The IT department is responsible for configuring user accounts and managing data in Exchange Online and SharePoint Online. According to the shared responsibility model, which security responsibility is retained by Microsoft for this SaaS deployment?

Question 1easymultiple choice

Full question →

A
Managing user access to the applications
Why wrong: This is a customer responsibility, not Microsoft's. The customer controls which users have access to Microsoft 365 applications through identity management.
B
Securing the underlying application code and platform
As a SaaS provider, Microsoft is responsible for the security of the application code, runtime environment, and underlying infrastructure. The customer does not manage the platform.
C
Configuring multi-factor authentication for users
Why wrong: Configuring authentication methods like MFA is the customer's administrative responsibility within the tenant. Microsoft provides the feature, but the customer decides policy.
D
Protecting data from unauthorized access by other tenants
Why wrong: While Microsoft ensures logical isolation between tenants, the customer is responsible for their own data governance, including classifying and protecting their data from external threats.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Securing the underlying application code and platform

In a SaaS model like Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft retains responsibility for securing the underlying application code, platform, and physical infrastructure. This includes patching the operating system, hardening the application stack, and ensuring the runtime environment is secure. The customer is responsible for managing user identities, configuring access controls, and protecting their own data.

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.

✗
Managing user access to the applications
Why it's wrong here
This is a customer responsibility, not Microsoft's. The customer controls which users have access to Microsoft 365 applications through identity management.
✓
Securing the underlying application code and platform
Why this is correct
As a SaaS provider, Microsoft is responsible for the security of the application code, runtime environment, and underlying infrastructure. The customer does not manage the platform.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configuring multi-factor authentication for users
Why it's wrong here
Configuring authentication methods like MFA is the customer's administrative responsibility within the tenant. Microsoft provides the feature, but the customer decides policy.
✗
Protecting data from unauthorized access by other tenants
Why it's wrong here
While Microsoft ensures logical isolation between tenants, the customer is responsible for their own data governance, including classifying and protecting their data from external threats.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often confuse customer-managed security controls (like MFA and user access) with Microsoft's inherent platform responsibilities, leading them to select options that are actually customer obligations under the SaaS model.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Under the shared responsibility model for SaaS, Microsoft is responsible for 'security of the cloud,' which includes the physical hosts, network infrastructure, and the application code itself (e.g., Exchange Online and SharePoint Online binaries). The customer is responsible for 'security in the cloud,' such as identity management, data classification, and endpoint protection. For example, Microsoft applies patches to the Exchange Online server code without customer intervention, but the customer must configure mailbox permissions and retention policies.

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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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: Securing the underlying application code and platform — In a SaaS model like Microsoft 365 E5, Microsoft retains responsibility for securing the underlying application code, platform, and physical infrastructure. This includes patching the operating system, hardening the application stack, and ensuring the runtime environment is secure. The customer is responsible for managing user identities, configuring access controls, and protecting their own data.

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.

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