SC-900 Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are capabilities of Microsoft Entra ID?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse Microsoft Entra ID's identity management role with broader security services like email protection or network security, leading them to select options that belong to other Azure or Microsoft 365 security products.
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
✓
Identity and access management for cloud applications.
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is a cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) service. It provides authentication and authorization for cloud applications, including support for single sign-on (SSO) to thousands of pre-integrated SaaS applications like Salesforce, Office 365, and Workday. These are core IAM capabilities, not security functions like email filtering or network firewall management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Email filtering and anti-malware protection.
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is fundamentally an identity and access management service, not an email security platform. Email filtering and anti-malware protection are core capabilities of services like Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP) and Microsoft Defender for Office 365, which are part of the broader Microsoft 365 suite. These specialized services focus on securing email flow, detecting threats, and preventing malicious content from reaching user inboxes.
- ✓
Identity and access management for cloud applications.
Why this is correct
Microsoft Entra ID is a comprehensive identity and access management (IAM) solution designed to manage user identities and control their access to various cloud-based applications. It enables organizations to provision users, enforce authentication policies like multi-factor authentication, and authorize access based on roles and groups. This capability is central to securing access to a vast ecosystem of SaaS and custom-developed cloud applications.
- ✓
Single sign-on to SaaS applications.
Why this is correct
Microsoft Entra ID facilitates single sign-on (SSO) for thousands of pre-integrated Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, as well as custom applications. With SSO, users can access multiple applications using a single set of credentials after authenticating once with Entra ID, significantly improving user experience and reducing password fatigue. This streamlines access management and enhances security by centralizing authentication.
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Encryption of data at rest in Azure Storage.
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Entra ID does not directly provide encryption for data at rest within Azure Storage accounts. Data encryption at rest in Azure Storage is an inherent feature of the Azure Storage platform itself, utilizing service-managed keys or customer-managed keys through Azure Key Vault. Entra ID's role is primarily focused on authenticating and authorizing identities that *access* that storage, rather than performing the data encryption function.
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Network firewall management.
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Entra ID is an identity service and does not manage network firewalls. Network firewall management, including defining inbound and outbound rules, network segmentation, and threat protection at the network perimeter, is handled by dedicated network security services. Examples include Azure Firewall, Network Security Groups (NSGs), or third-party network virtual appliances deployed within an Azure virtual network.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Core Security Concepts
Key term
SSO
Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows a user to access multiple applications or systems with one set of login credentials.
Key term
Security
Security in IT is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, damage, or theft.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.