Question 511 of 1,411

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

Quick Answer

The answer is the Zero Trust model, specifically its core principle of "never trust, always verify." This scenario directly reflects Zero Trust because it requires dual-factor authentication via a smart card and PIN, and then enforces a conditional access check by verifying device compliance with organizational security baselines before granting network access. On the Microsoft SC-900 exam, this tests your understanding that Zero Trust eliminates implicit trust based on network location, instead relying on continuous validation of identity and device health. A common trap is confusing this with a perimeter-based model, but the key differentiator here is the device compliance check after authentication, which is a hallmark of Zero Trust architecture. Remember the mnemonic "A+C = Zero Trust" — Authentication plus Compliance check equals Zero Trust, not just a simple login.

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. 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.

An organization implements a security policy where users must authenticate using a smart card and PIN. After successful authentication, the system checks whether the user's device is managed by the organization and complies with security baselines. If the device is compliant, the user is granted access to the corporate network. If not, access is denied. This approach most directly reflects which security model?

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

A
Defense in depth
Why wrong: Defense in depth uses multiple layers of security controls. While this scenario includes two layers (authentication and device check), it specifically embodies the 'never trust, always verify' philosophy of Zero Trust, not just layered defenses.
B
Zero Trust
Zero Trust requires verifying every access attempt, including identity and device health. The policy of blocking access if the device is non-compliant is a core component of Zero Trust architecture.
C
CIA triad
Why wrong: The CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) is a set of security goals. This scenario discusses an access control model, not a specific security goal.
D
Least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege limits user permissions to only what is necessary. While device compliance may be a factor, the scenario does not specify permission scope; it focuses on verifying identity and device before granting network access.

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

✓

Zero Trust

The scenario explicitly enforces 'never trust, always verify' by requiring authentication (smart card + PIN) and then validating device compliance before granting network access. This directly aligns with the Zero Trust model's core principle of conditional access based on identity and device health, rather than implicit trust from network location.

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 uses multiple layers of security controls. While this scenario includes two layers (authentication and device check), it specifically embodies the 'never trust, always verify' philosophy of Zero Trust, not just layered defenses.
✓
Zero Trust
Why this is correct
Zero Trust requires verifying every access attempt, including identity and device health. The policy of blocking access if the device is non-compliant is a core component of Zero Trust architecture.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
CIA triad
Why it's wrong here
The CIA triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) is a set of security goals. This scenario discusses an access control model, not a specific security goal.
✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege limits user permissions to only what is necessary. While device compliance may be a factor, the scenario does not specify permission scope; it focuses on verifying identity and device before granting network access.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates confuse Zero Trust with Defense in depth because both involve multiple security layers, but Zero Trust specifically requires per-request verification of identity and device health, whereas Defense in depth relies on static layers without dynamic device compliance checks.

Trap categories for this question

Scenario analysis trap
Defense in depth uses multiple layers of security controls. While this scenario includes two layers (authentication and device check), it specifically embodies the 'never trust, always verify' philosophy of Zero Trust, not just layered defenses.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Zero Trust, as defined by NIST SP 800-207, requires that all access requests be authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before granting access, with continuous validation of device posture. In practice, this is often implemented via Conditional Access policies in Microsoft Entra ID, which evaluate device compliance (e.g., Intune MDM status) and user risk before issuing a token. A subtle behavior: even after initial access, the system may re-evaluate compliance at each resource request, not just at network entry.

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: Zero Trust — The scenario explicitly enforces 'never trust, always verify' by requiring authentication (smart card + PIN) and then validating device compliance before granting network access. This directly aligns with the Zero Trust model's core principle of conditional access based on identity and device health, rather than implicit trust from network location.

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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