Quick Answer
The answer is "Verify explicitly" and "Use least privilege access." These are two of the three core principles of the Zero Trust security model, alongside "Assume breach." The principle of verifying explicitly means that every access request—regardless of its origin—must be fully authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before granting access, while least privilege ensures users and devices are given only the minimum permissions needed to perform their tasks, reducing the attack surface. On the SC-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of the foundational Zero Trust framework, often appearing in a multiple-select format where distractors like "Trust but verify" or "Encrypt all data" are common traps. A useful memory tip is to think of the acronym VLA: Verify, Least privilege, Assume breach—remember that in Zero Trust, you never assume trust, you always verify and restrict.
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.
Which TWO of the following are principles of the Zero Trust security model? (Select two.)
Verify explicitly
Always authenticate and authorize based on all data points.
Perimeter-based security
Why wrong: Zero Trust moves beyond perimeter-based security.
Implicit trust
Why wrong: Zero Trust does not use implicit trust.
Trust but verify
Why wrong: This is not a Zero Trust principle.
Least privilege access
Limit user access to the minimum needed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Verify explicitly
Options B and D are correct. Zero Trust principles include 'Verify explicitly' and 'Use least privilege access' (or 'Assume breach' and 'Verify explicitly'). Actually the official principles are: Verify explicitly, Use least privilege, Assume breach. So the correct two are B and D.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
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.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
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.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-900 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — This question tests Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Verify explicitly — Options B and D are correct. Zero Trust principles include 'Verify explicitly' and 'Use least privilege access' (or 'Assume breach' and 'Verify explicitly'). Actually the official principles are: Verify explicitly, Use least privilege, Assume breach. So the correct two are B and D.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-900 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Authentication checks who the user is.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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. Which TWO of the following are purposes of the 'Zero Trust' security model?
easyWhy 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 2. Which TWO are principles of the Zero Trust security model?
mediumWhy A: Options A and C are correct. Zero Trust principles include 'verify explicitly' and 'assume breach'. Option B is a traditional perimeter security approach. Option D is a principle of defense in depth, not Zero Trust. Option E describes a traditional VPN-based approach.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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