SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity
Which TWO of the following are principles of the Zero Trust security model? (Select two.)
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
✓
Verify explicitly
The correct principles of Zero Trust are 'Verify explicitly' and 'Use least privilege access' (or 'Least privilege access'). Therefore, options A and E are correct. Option B (Perimeter-based security) is a traditional security model, opposite of Zero Trust. Option C (Implicit trust) and D (Trust but verify) are not part of Zero Trust; Zero Trust assumes no implicit trust and uses 'verify explicitly' instead.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Verify explicitly
Why this is correct
Always authenticate and authorize based on all data points.
- ✗
Perimeter-based security
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust moves beyond perimeter-based security.
- ✗
Implicit trust
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust does not use implicit trust.
- ✗
Trust but verify
Why it's wrong here
This is not a Zero Trust principle.
- ✓
Least privilege access
Why this is correct
Limit user access to the minimum needed.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Core Security Concepts
Key term
Zero Trust Architecture
Zero Trust Architecture is a cybersecurity model that requires every user and device to be continuously verified before accessing any resource, regardless of where they are located.
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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Same concept, more angles
3 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. An organization is implementing a Zero Trust security model. Which principle requires that every access request must be fully authenticated, authorized, and verified based on all available signals, regardless of the user's network location?
easy- ✓ A.Verify explicitly
- B.Least privilege
- C.Assume breach
- D.Defense in depth
Why A: The 'Verify explicitly' principle of Zero Trust mandates that every access request must be fully authenticated, authorized, and encrypted based on all available data points—including user identity, device health, location, and behavioral signals—regardless of whether the request originates from inside or outside the corporate network. This contrasts with traditional perimeter-based models that implicitly trust internal traffic.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are purposes of the 'Zero Trust' security model?
easy- ✓ A.Explicitly verify every access request
- ✓ B.Assume that everything is on an open network
- C.Rely on a single perimeter firewall
- D.Trust internal traffic implicitly
- E.Assume that the network is always safe
Why A: Zero Trust assumes breach and verifies each request as though it originates from an open network. It explicitly verifies every access request, regardless of source. It does not assume a trusted internal network; that is the traditional perimeter model. It does not rely solely on a single perimeter firewall.
Variation 3. Which TWO are principles of the Zero Trust security model?
medium- ✓ A.Verify explicitly
- B.Trust everything inside the network
- ✓ C.Assume breach
- D.Use a VPN for remote access
- E.Layer defenses
Why A: Options A and C are correct. Zero Trust principles include 'verify explicitly' and 'assume breach'. Option B contradicts Zero Trust as it trusts everything inside the network. Option D describes a traditional VPN-based approach, which is not a Zero Trust principle. Option E is a principle of defense in depth, not Zero Trust.
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.