The answer is Cloud Discovery, because this feature in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is specifically designed to uncover shadow IT by analyzing traffic logs to identify unsanctioned cloud apps, such as a personal Dropbox account being used to access corporate files. Unlike file policies, which enforce data loss prevention, or app permissions, which govern OAuth consent, Cloud Discovery maps user activity against a catalog of over 31,000 cloud services to reveal unmanaged usage. On the SC-900 exam, this tests your understanding of how Defender for Cloud Apps provides visibility into shadow IT, often appearing as a scenario where you must distinguish discovery from monitoring or policy enforcement. A common trap is confusing Cloud Discovery with activity policies, but remember: discovery finds the app, while policies act on it. Memory tip: “Discover the Dropbox, then decide the policy.”
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. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Your organization recently deployed Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps. You need to identify which users are using a personal Dropbox account to access corporate files. Which feature should you use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cloud Discovery
Option B is correct because Cloud Discovery identifies shadow IT usage, such as personal Dropbox. Option A is incorrect because file policies are for DLP, not discovery. Option C is incorrect because app permissions focus on OAuth apps. Option D is incorrect because activity policies monitor activities but do not discover apps.
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.
✗
Activity policies
Why it's wrong here
Activity policies monitor specific activities but require known apps; they do not discover unknown apps.
✓
Cloud Discovery
Why this is correct
Cloud Discovery analyzes traffic logs to identify shadow IT and unsanctioned cloud apps.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
File policies
Why it's wrong here
File policies are used to enforce governance actions on files, not to discover cloud apps.
✗
App permissions
Why it's wrong here
App permissions review OAuth apps that have been granted access, not personal accounts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Cloud Discovery — Option B is correct because Cloud Discovery identifies shadow IT usage, such as personal Dropbox. Option A is incorrect because file policies are for DLP, not discovery. Option C is incorrect because app permissions focus on OAuth apps. Option D is incorrect because activity policies monitor activities but do not discover apps.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Identify which SC-900 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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