Microsoft SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 10 Q136-150
Visit here for our full Microsoft SC-300 exam dumps and practice test questions.
Question 136:
Which Azure AD feature allows administrators to manage temporary elevated access for privileged roles with automatic expiration?
A) Privileged Identity Management
B) Security Defaults
C) Azure AD Connect
D) Conditional Access
Answer: A
Explanation:
Privileged Identity Management (PIM) is designed to help organizations manage, monitor, and secure privileged administrative roles in Azure AD. It provides just-in-time access, which allows users to gain elevated permissions only when necessary and for a limited period. After the defined time window, the elevated access automatically expires, reducing the risk of over-privileged accounts being exploited by malicious actors. PIM includes approval workflows, enabling designated managers or automated processes to authorize role activations, ensuring accountability. Every activation is logged with details such as start and end times, user identity, and activities performed while holding the elevated role, which supports auditing and compliance. Security Defaults provide baseline security measures like mandatory multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts, but they do not offer temporary access, approval workflows, or detailed auditing of administrative actions. Azure AD Connect synchronizes on-premises accounts with Azure AD but does not provide privileged access management. Conditional Access evaluates sign-in risk, device compliance, and location-based policies, but it does not manage administrative role lifecycles.
PIM integrates with Access Reviews to periodically validate that users still require privileged access, ensuring adherence to least privilege principles. Automated notifications and reporting allow administrators to monitor role activations efficiently, reducing operational overhead. By leveraging PIM, organizations can strengthen security posture, enforce zero-trust principles, and ensure that access is granted only when necessary and revoked automatically after use. Detailed audit logs provide transparency, support regulatory compliance, and help mitigate insider threats. Unlike Security Defaults, Conditional Access, or Azure AD Connect, PIM specifically addresses secure management of privileged roles, combining temporary access, approval workflows, automated expiration, and auditing. Organizations benefit from enhanced governance, reduced risk, and operational efficiency while maintaining secure access to sensitive resources. Implementing PIM ensures that elevated administrative privileges are tightly controlled, monitored, and auditable, reducing potential attack vectors and maintaining strong security posture in hybrid and cloud environments.
Question 137:
Which authentication method allows users to authenticate without passwords by using a portable cryptographic key?
A) FIDO2 passwordless authentication
B) Pass-through Authentication
C) Windows Hello for Business
D) Self-service password reset
Answer: A
Explanation:
FIDO2 passwordless authentication enables users to sign in securely without relying on traditional passwords, using cryptographic keys instead. These keys can be physical devices such as security keys or virtual keys stored on trusted devices. Authentication involves proving possession of the private key, often in combination with a biometric factor like a fingerprint or face recognition, or a PIN. The private key never leaves the device, and the corresponding public key is registered with Azure AD, ensuring that authentication cannot be intercepted, replayed, or duplicated by attackers. Pass-through Authentication relies on validating passwords against on-premises Active Directory, meaning it still requires password use and does not provide a passwordless experience. Windows Hello for Business is device-bound and provides passwordless authentication tied to a specific enrolled device, which limits portability across multiple devices. Self-service password reset allows users to recover forgotten passwords but does not remove the reliance on passwords for authentication.
FIDO2 authentication enhances security by eliminating the risks associated with stolen or weak passwords and mitigates phishing and credential replay attacks. Integration with Conditional Access allows policies to enforce multi-factor authentication, device compliance, and risk-based evaluation during the authentication process. Audit logs capture every sign-in event, supporting governance, regulatory compliance, and monitoring of access patterns. FIDO2 is particularly useful in hybrid and cloud environments, where users may access resources from multiple devices, as it allows portable, secure, and phishing-resistant access without the need to store passwords in the cloud. Organizations benefit from reduced helpdesk costs, improved usability, and stronger protection against identity theft. Unlike PTA or Windows Hello, FIDO2 uniquely combines portability, phishing resistance, and passwordless access, making it a modern identity solution aligned with zero-trust security principles. By adopting FIDO2, organizations can protect accounts across diverse devices while maintaining a seamless user experience and strong security posture.
Question 138:
Which Conditional Access policy restricts access based on device compliance or domain membership?
A) Device state policy
B) Session control
C) Risk-based Conditional Access
D) Multi-factor authentication
Answer: A
Explanation:
Device state policies in Azure AD Conditional Access allow organizations to control access based on the compliance status or domain membership of the device used to sign in. Compliance may be evaluated using criteria such as encryption, operating system version, antivirus status, Intune enrollment, and adherence to security baselines. Devices that fail to meet these criteria can be blocked or remediated, ensuring that only trusted endpoints access corporate resources. Session control focuses on managing ongoing sessions, including limiting session duration and monitoring activity, but it does not enforce device compliance requirements. Risk-based Conditional Access evaluates the probability of sign-in compromise using behavioral analytics and threat intelligence but does not restrict access based on device state alone.
Multi-factor authentication strengthens authentication security but does not assess device compliance. By implementing device state policies, organizations can reduce the risk of unauthorized access from compromised or unmanaged devices, thereby minimizing the attack surface. Integration with Conditional Access ensures that device state is evaluated alongside other signals such as sign-in risk, location, and MFA. Detailed audit logs capture all access attempts, compliance assessments, and policy enforcement, supporting operational oversight and regulatory compliance. Device state policies align with zero-trust principles, ensuring that access is granted only from secure and compliant devices. Unlike MFA, session control, or risk-based policies, device state policies specifically focus on evaluating and enforcing endpoint security before access is granted. Organizations benefit from improved security posture, consistent endpoint compliance enforcement, and reduced operational risk.
These policies are especially critical in hybrid and cloud environments, where devices may vary widely in security configuration and management. By leveraging device state policies, administrators ensure secure, compliant access while supporting hybrid and remote work scenarios effectively.
Question 139:
Which Azure AD feature continuously monitors user accounts and automatically responds to risky sign-ins?
A) Azure AD Identity Protection
B) Security Defaults
C) Privileged Identity Management
D) Azure AD Connect
Answer: A
Explanation:
Azure AD Identity Protection is a powerful feature that continuously monitors user accounts, evaluates risk, and applies automated remediation actions to protect organizational resources. It uses advanced analytics, machine learning, and threat intelligence to detect suspicious activities, such as unusual sign-in locations, unfamiliar devices, atypical IP addresses, or evidence of credential compromise. Based on detected risks, automated actions can include requiring multi-factor authentication, blocking access, or prompting a password reset. Security Defaults provide baseline security measures such as mandatory MFA for privileged users but do not continuously assess risk or apply automated remediation. Privileged Identity Management focuses on temporary elevation of administrative roles with auditing but does not monitor general user accounts for risk. Azure AD Connect synchronizes on-premises accounts with Azure AD but provides no risk monitoring or automated response. Identity Protection integrates with Conditional Access to enforce policies dynamically based on user risk, device compliance, and location. Detailed audit logs capture risk events, policy enforcement actions, and user responses, supporting governance, compliance, and operational oversight.
Azure AD Identity Protection also enables organizations to create automated policies that respond to risk detections without manual intervention. For example, accounts flagged for unusual sign-in behavior can be automatically blocked, require multi-factor authentication, or trigger password resets, depending on the severity of the risk. This proactive approach prevents potential compromises before attackers can exploit credentials, reducing the likelihood of data breaches and minimizing exposure to insider threats. Detailed reporting and audit logs provide visibility into risk events, actions taken, and policy enforcement, supporting compliance with regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.
By continuously monitoring user behavior, sign-in patterns, and device conditions, Identity Protection helps organizations identify anomalies that might otherwise go unnoticed. Integration with Conditional Access allows risk-based policies to enforce contextual access controls, such as requiring MFA for risky sign-ins or restricting access from unmanaged devices. This adaptive model ensures that security measures are applied dynamically, balancing protection with usability, and reducing friction for legitimate users.
In hybrid and cloud environments, Identity Protection strengthens the overall security framework by safeguarding both on-premises and cloud resources. It aligns with zero-trust security principles by never assuming inherent trust for any sign-in or user, instead continuously validating identity and context before granting access. Organizations gain enhanced operational efficiency, as automated remediation reduces the need for manual intervention and speeds up response times to potential threats. By implementing Azure AD Identity Protection, enterprises can maintain secure access, protect sensitive data, mitigate identity-based risks, and ensure compliance, creating a resilient identity security posture that supports modern hybrid and cloud infrastructures.
Question 140:
Which Conditional Access policy evaluates sign-in risk and can enforce MFA or block access dynamically?
A) Risk-based Conditional Access
B) Device state policy
C) Session control
D) Security Defaults
Answer: A
Explanation:
Risk-based Conditional Access allows organizations to evaluate the risk associated with user sign-ins in real time and dynamically enforce access controls. Using signals from Azure AD Identity Protection, such as unusual locations, unfamiliar devices, atypical IP addresses, or signs of compromised credentials, administrators can configure policies that require multi-factor authentication or block access for high-risk sign-ins. Device state policies enforce access based on device compliance or domain membership but do not account for the risk of individual sign-ins. Session control focuses on managing ongoing session activity and duration but does not respond to risk in real time. Security Defaults enforce baseline protections like mandatory MFA for privileged accounts but lack context-aware, adaptive response.
By leveraging risk-based Conditional Access, organizations implement zero-trust principles by continuously assessing identity, device, location, and behavioral signals before granting access. Integration with Conditional Access and MFA ensures layered protection, while audit logs capture risk events, policy enforcement, and user responses to support compliance and governance. Automated enforcement reduces administrative overhead and mitigates potential security incidents. Unlike static security controls, risk-based Conditional Access dynamically adapts to evolving threats, providing context-aware access decisions. Organizations benefit from enhanced threat detection, stronger protection of accounts, reduced risk of compromise, and operational efficiency while maintaining seamless access for legitimate users.
In hybrid and cloud environments, user access occurs across multiple devices, locations, and applications, which increases the complexity of maintaining secure authentication and authorization. Azure AD Identity Protection provides a centralized mechanism to evaluate these variables continuously, including user behavior anomalies, sign-in locations, device compliance status, and risk signals. By analyzing these factors in real time, organizations can detect unusual patterns such as impossible travel between locations, multiple failed login attempts, or sign-ins from untrusted devices, which may indicate compromised credentials or malicious activity.
Adaptive security policies allow automated responses based on the risk severity. For example, a user attempting to sign in from a high-risk location may be prompted to perform multi-factor authentication, temporarily blocked, or required to reset their password. These automated remediations reduce the reliance on manual intervention, decreasing administrative overhead and improving incident response times. Audit logs capture all risk detections, user responses, and policy enforcement actions, providing visibility into potential threats, supporting regulatory compliance, and enabling forensic investigations if needed.
This approach aligns with zero-trust principles, which assume that no identity or device is inherently trustworthy. By continuously validating identity and contextual information, organizations ensure that only authorized users and compliant devices gain access to sensitive resources. Conditional Access can integrate with Identity Protection to enforce dynamic access policies, enabling a layered defense strategy that adapts to evolving threats without disrupting legitimate users.
Moreover, in hybrid environments where on-premises and cloud systems coexist, Identity Protection ensures consistent enforcement of security policies across both infrastructures. This prevents attackers from exploiting gaps between local and cloud authentication systems, maintaining a uniform security posture. It also helps organizations meet compliance requirements for regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO standards by demonstrating controlled, monitored, and auditable access to sensitive data.
Overall, this adaptive, real-time approach strengthens security, reduces risk exposure, enhances operational efficiency, and ensures a seamless user experience. By leveraging Azure AD Identity Protection in hybrid and cloud scenarios, organizations maintain robust defenses against credential compromise, insider threats, and unauthorized access, while supporting modern enterprise security strategies that require flexibility, scalability, and continuous protection.
Question 141:
Which Azure AD feature enables periodic review of guest user access and automatic removal of unnecessary permissions?
A) Access Reviews
B) Security Defaults
C) Privileged Identity Management
D) Azure AD Connect
Answer: A
Explanation:
Access Reviews in Azure AD provide administrators with a structured and automated process to periodically evaluate user access, including external or guest users, to ensure that permissions align with the principle of least privilege. This process helps prevent stale, excessive, or inappropriate access that could lead to security risks or compliance violations. Reviewers, which may include managers, resource owners, or automated processes, assess whether users still require access. Access can be automatically revoked if users fail to respond to the review or are determined to no longer need permissions. Security Defaults enforce baseline security measures like mandatory multi-factor authentication for privileged users but do not include periodic access reviews or automated removal functionality. Privileged Identity Management focuses on managing temporary elevation of administrative roles and auditing, not general access reviews. Azure AD Connect synchronizes on-premises accounts with Azure AD but does not facilitate access governance. Access Reviews integrate with Conditional Access to ensure compliance with policies regarding risk, MFA, and device compliance.
Detailed audit logs capture reviewer decisions, automatic removals, and user activity, supporting regulatory compliance, governance, and security monitoring. By implementing Access Reviews, organizations reduce the risk of over-provisioned access, improve accountability, and maintain a zero-trust security posture by continuously validating access. This is particularly important for guest users, whose roles or collaborations may change frequently. Automated reminders and reporting features increase review completion rates and visibility. Access Reviews complement other security and identity management features, providing a comprehensive framework to maintain least privilege, strengthen security, and enforce governance efficiently. Unlike Security Defaults, PIM, or Azure AD Connect, Access Reviews specifically address ongoing access evaluation and automated management of user and guest permissions. Organizations benefit from improved visibility, reduced risk of unauthorized access, and operational efficiency by ensuring that access remains appropriate over time, aligning with both security best practices and regulatory requirements.
Question 142:
Which authentication method allows hybrid users to authenticate to cloud resources without storing passwords in Azure AD?
A) Pass-through Authentication
B) Windows Hello for Business
C) FIDO2 passwordless authentication
D) Self-service password reset
Answer: A
Explanation:
Pass-through Authentication (PTA) enables hybrid users to authenticate to Azure AD and connected cloud applications using their on-premises Active Directory credentials without storing passwords in the cloud. When a user signs in, credentials are securely transmitted to on-premises Active Directory for validation. This ensures that sensitive password data remains on-premises, reducing exposure to cloud-based attacks such as phishing, credential theft, or replay attacks. Windows Hello for Business provides a passwordless authentication experience, but it is device-bound and does not validate credentials against on-premises Active Directory directly. FIDO2 passwordless authentication provides portable passwordless access using cryptographic keys but does not rely on on-premises password validation. Self-service password reset allows users to recover forgotten passwords but does not eliminate the reliance on passwords for authentication.
PTA supports centralized enforcement of on-premises password policies, account lockout rules, and auditing, ensuring consistent security across hybrid environments. Integration with Conditional Access allows administrators to enforce MFA, device compliance, and risk-based policies during authentication. Audit logs capture all authentication events for monitoring and regulatory compliance. PTA provides a seamless user experience, allowing users to access cloud resources using familiar credentials without compromising security. It is particularly valuable in hybrid infrastructures where password replication to the cloud is undesirable. Unlike FIDO2 or Windows Hello, PTA specifically addresses the hybrid scenario, enabling secure cloud authentication while maintaining centralized credential control on-premises. Organizations benefit from improved security, reduced administrative overhead, and strong alignment with zero-trust principles, ensuring that hybrid authentication is secure, compliant, and efficient.
Question 143:
Which Azure AD feature allows temporary elevation of administrative roles and provides detailed auditing of role activations?
A) Privileged Identity Management
B) Security Defaults
C) Conditional Access
D) Azure AD Connect
Answer: A
Explanation:
Privileged Identity Management (PIM) allows administrators to manage privileged roles by granting temporary, just-in-time access to users who need elevated privileges. This approach reduces the risks associated with standing administrative privileges, which could be exploited if compromised. Users can request elevated access for a limited time, and automatic expiration ensures that privileges are revoked after the task is complete. PIM includes approval workflows, allowing designated managers or automated systems to authorize role activations, ensuring accountability and governance.
Every activation is logged in detail, capturing information such as start and end times, user identity, and activities performed during the elevated session. Security Defaults provide baseline security measures such as mandatory MFA but do not support temporary elevation or detailed auditing of administrative actions. Conditional Access enforces policies based on sign-in risk, device compliance, and location, but it does not manage administrative role lifecycles. Azure AD Connect synchronizes on-premises accounts with Azure AD but does not facilitate privileged access management. PIM integrates with Access Reviews, allowing periodic verification that users continue to require privileged access, maintaining adherence to least privilege principles.
Automated notifications and reporting provide administrators with visibility into role activations and enhance operational governance. By implementing PIM, organizations strengthen security posture, ensure accountability, and maintain compliance with internal and regulatory policies. PIM aligns with zero-trust security principles, granting administrative access only when necessary and automatically revoking it to minimize potential attack vectors. Unlike Security Defaults, Conditional Access, or Azure AD Connect, PIM is specifically designed to secure, manage, and monitor privileged roles, ensuring that elevated access is controlled, audited, and temporary. Organizations benefit from reduced operational risk, enhanced governance, and improved security through controlled, monitored, and time-bound administrative access.
Question 144:
Which authentication method provides device-bound, passwordless sign-in using biometrics or PIN?
A) Windows Hello for Business
B) FIDO2 passwordless authentication
C) Pass-through Authentication
D) Self-service password reset
Answer: A
Explanation:
Windows Hello for Business enables users to authenticate to devices and resources without passwords by using device-bound credentials in combination with biometric verification, such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, or a PIN tied to a specific device. This ensures that authentication is secure, resistant to phishing, and not susceptible to brute-force attacks. FIDO2 passwordless authentication also provides a passwordless experience but is portable, allowing authentication across multiple devices rather than being device-bound. Pass-through Authentication allows hybrid users to authenticate against on-premises Active Directory but still relies on passwords. Self-service password reset permits users to recover forgotten passwords but does not remove the need for passwords during normal authentication. Windows Hello for Business integrates with Conditional Access policies, enabling enforcement of device compliance, risk assessment, and location verification during authentication.
Windows Hello for Business extends traditional authentication by combining biometrics or a PIN with device-bound credentials, ensuring that access is tightly coupled with a specific, trusted device. This reduces the risk of credential theft, phishing, or replay attacks, as even if an attacker obtains the PIN or biometric data, access cannot occur without the enrolled device. The solution supports multi-factor authentication inherently, because it combines possession (the device) with user verification (biometric or PIN), providing strong assurance of identity.
In hybrid and cloud environments, Windows Hello integrates seamlessly with Azure AD and Microsoft 365, allowing users to authenticate to both on-premises resources and cloud applications without managing separate passwords. Audit logs track every sign-in event, biometric verification, and device compliance check, providing IT teams with detailed visibility into authentication events. These logs are critical for regulatory compliance, helping organizations meet standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO by demonstrating controlled and auditable access to sensitive resources.
For managed devices, Windows Hello simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for complex passwords, reducing the likelihood of password-related helpdesk requests, and minimizing password fatigue. This improves productivity while maintaining strong security controls. Unlike portable passwordless methods such as FIDO2, which rely on external keys or devices, Windows Hello is tightly integrated with corporate-managed endpoints, ensuring that organizational policies and device management standards are enforced.
Additionally, Windows Hello supports scenarios like conditional access, device compliance evaluation, and MFA policies, allowing administrators to enforce access only from trusted devices. It complements other security solutions such as Identity Protection, Conditional Access, and device state policies, creating a layered, zero-trust security posture. This device-bound approach ensures that access is only granted when both the user and the device meet security requirements, reducing the attack surface significantly.
Overall, Windows Hello for Business provides a secure, convenient, and compliant authentication method that balances usability with enterprise-grade security. By deploying it across hybrid and cloud environments, organizations reduce administrative overhead, strengthen credential protection, and align with modern zero-trust identity and access management practices, ensuring that sensitive data and applications are accessed safely and efficiently.
Question 145:
Which Conditional Access policy enforces multi-factor authentication or blocks access based on detected user sign-in risk?
A) Risk-based Conditional Access
B) Device state policy
C) Session control
D) Security Defaults
Answer: A
Explanation:
Risk-based Conditional Access evaluates the risk associated with each user sign-in in real time using Azure AD Identity Protection. It considers signals such as unusual locations, unfamiliar devices, anomalous IP addresses, or indications that credentials may be compromised. Based on the risk assessment, policies can automatically require multi-factor authentication (MFA) or block access entirely for high-risk sign-ins, while allowing low-risk users to sign in seamlessly. Device state policies restrict access based on device compliance or domain membership but do not evaluate the risk of the individual sign-in. Session control manages session duration and activity but does not respond to real-time threats.
Security Defaults provide baseline security measures like mandatory MFA for privileged users but lack adaptive, risk-aware enforcement. Risk-based Conditional Access aligns with zero-trust principles by continuously validating identity, device, location, and behavioral signals before granting access. Integration with Conditional Access policies and MFA ensures layered protection. Audit logs capture risk events, policy enforcement, and user responses, supporting compliance and governance. Automated enforcement reduces administrative overhead and mitigates threats without interrupting legitimate access. Unlike static security measures, risk-based Conditional Access dynamically adapts to evolving threats, ensuring that high-risk sign-ins are challenged appropriately and low-risk sign-ins remain unaffected.
Risk-based Conditional Access provides a dynamic approach to securing access by evaluating multiple signals, such as user behavior, device compliance, location, and sign-in patterns, to determine the level of risk associated with each authentication attempt. Unlike static access controls, which apply the same policies regardless of context, risk-based Conditional Access continuously analyzes activity and enforces appropriate responses based on the assessed threat level. This ensures that legitimate users experience minimal friction while high-risk sign-ins are challenged or blocked, reducing the likelihood of account compromise.
Organizations implementing risk-based Conditional Access gain significant improvements in threat detection. By leveraging machine learning and behavioral analytics, the system can identify anomalous activities, such as sign-ins from unfamiliar locations, impossible travel scenarios, or suspicious device configurations. These insights allow administrators to respond proactively, either automatically through policy enforcement or manually through investigation, ensuring that potential security incidents are mitigated before they escalate.
Operational efficiency is also enhanced because automated risk evaluation reduces the need for manual monitoring and intervention. Security teams can focus on genuinely high-priority events instead of sifting through routine sign-ins, which improves productivity and reduces administrative overhead. At the same time, user productivity is maintained because low-risk sign-ins are allowed without unnecessary prompts or delays, preserving a seamless experience for employees while enforcing strong security measures.
Furthermore, risk-based Conditional Access aligns closely with zero-trust security principles, which emphasize continuous verification of identity, device compliance, and contextual signals before granting access. By integrating with other Azure AD security features—such as multi-factor authentication, device state policies, and session controls—organizations can implement a layered, adaptive defense that dynamically responds to evolving threats. Audit logs generated by these policies provide visibility into risk events and policy enforcement, supporting regulatory compliance, operational oversight, and governance.
In summary, risk-based Conditional Access strengthens an organization’s security posture by proactively mitigating threats, reducing exposure to compromised accounts, and maintaining operational efficiency. It ensures that access decisions are context-aware, protecting sensitive resources without disrupting legitimate workflows. By implementing this adaptive approach, organizations enhance threat detection, support zero-trust principles, and achieve a balance between security, usability, and compliance, making it a critical component of modern identity and access management strategies.
Question 146:
Which Azure AD feature evaluates user and sign-in risk continuously and applies automated remediation?
A) Azure AD Identity Protection
B) Security Defaults
C) Privileged Identity Management
D) Azure AD Connect
Answer: A
Explanation:
Azure AD Identity Protection continuously monitors user accounts, analyzes sign-ins, and applies automated remediation actions to mitigate identity-related risks. Using advanced analytics, machine learning, and threat intelligence, Identity Protection detects suspicious activities such as logins from unfamiliar locations, anomalous IP addresses, unusual devices, and indicators of potentially compromised credentials. When risk is detected, administrators can configure automated responses, such as requiring multi-factor authentication, blocking access, or prompting a password reset. Security Defaults enforce baseline protections, including mandatory MFA for privileged users, but they do not provide dynamic risk evaluation or automated remediation. Privileged Identity Management manages temporary elevation of administrative roles and auditing but does not address general user risk monitoring.
Azure AD Connect synchronizes on-premises accounts with Azure AD but provides no monitoring or automated threat mitigation. Identity Protection integrates with Conditional Access policies to dynamically enforce access restrictions based on risk, location, and device compliance. Detailed audit logs capture risk events, enforcement actions, and user responses, supporting governance, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance. By automating remediation, organizations reduce administrative workload, proactively mitigate potential threats, and strengthen their overall security posture. Identity Protection aligns with zero-trust principles by continuously validating identity and applying context-aware controls before granting access. Unlike static security controls, it adapts to real-time threats, ensuring that high-risk sign-ins are challenged or blocked while low-risk sign-ins remain uninterrupted. Organizations benefit from enhanced visibility into risky activities, improved account security, and operational efficiency. Implementing Azure AD Identity Protection ensures proactive defense against identity-based threats in hybrid and cloud environments, maintaining secure access while protecting sensitive resources.
Question 147:
Which authentication method provides a device-bound passwordless experience using biometrics or PIN?
A) Windows Hello for Business
B) FIDO2 passwordless authentication
C) Pass-through Authentication
D) Self-service password reset
Answer: A
Explanation:
Windows Hello for Business enables passwordless authentication by using credentials bound to a specific device, combined with biometrics such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning, or a secure PIN. This method ensures strong authentication without relying on traditional passwords, reducing susceptibility to phishing and credential theft. FIDO2 passwordless authentication also eliminates passwords but is portable across multiple devices rather than device-bound. Pass-through Authentication allows hybrid users to authenticate against on-premises Active Directory but still relies on passwords, providing no passwordless experience. Self-service password reset enables users to recover forgotten passwords but does not remove the need for passwords during normal authentication.
Windows Hello for Business integrates with Conditional Access, allowing evaluation of device compliance, sign-in risk, and location during authentication. Audit logs capture biometric verification, device compliance, and sign-in activity, supporting monitoring, regulatory compliance, and operational oversight. Device-bound authentication ensures that even if credentials are stolen, an attacker cannot sign in without the enrolled device. This solution is particularly suitable for managed devices in hybrid and cloud environments, providing seamless authentication while maintaining strong security. Organizations benefit from reduced helpdesk costs, improved user experience, and alignment with zero-trust principles by adopting Windows Hello for Business. Unlike portable methods like FIDO2 or password-dependent authentication like Pass-through Authentication, Windows Hello delivers a secure, device-bound passwordless solution that enhances usability and operational efficiency while ensuring strong security.
Question 148:
Which Conditional Access policy evaluates sign-in risk and enforces MFA or blocks access dynamically?
A) Risk-based Conditional Access
B) Device state policy
C) Session control
D) Security Defaults
Answer: A
Explanation:
Risk-based Conditional Access allows organizations to assess the risk level of every sign-in in real time and apply adaptive access controls accordingly. Azure AD Identity Protection evaluates multiple signals, including unusual geographic locations, unfamiliar devices, atypical IP addresses, or potentially compromised credentials. Based on the assessed risk, policies can automatically require multi-factor authentication (MFA) or block access for high-risk sign-ins while allowing low-risk sign-ins to proceed normally. Device state policies restrict access based on device compliance or domain membership but do not evaluate sign-in risk. Session control focuses on monitoring active sessions and controlling duration but does not respond to real-time risk signals.
Security Defaults enforce baseline protections such as mandatory MFA for privileged users but lack context-aware, adaptive enforcement. Risk-based Conditional Access aligns with zero-trust principles, continuously validating identity, device compliance, location, and behavioral signals before granting access. Integration with Conditional Access and MFA ensures layered protection, while detailed audit logs capture risk events, enforcement actions, and user responses for monitoring and compliance purposes. Automated enforcement reduces administrative overhead, mitigates security threats, and strengthens overall security posture. Unlike static controls, risk-based Conditional Access dynamically adapts to evolving threats, ensuring that high-risk sign-ins are challenged appropriately and low-risk sign-ins remain uninterrupted. Organizations benefit from enhanced threat detection, improved account protection, reduced exposure to compromise, and operational efficiency. Implementing risk-based Conditional Access is critical in hybrid and cloud environments where user behavior, device compliance, and network conditions vary, requiring real-time, adaptive security measures to maintain organizational safety and compliance.
Question 149:
Which Azure AD feature allows administrators to periodically review access of internal and guest users and automatically remove unneeded permissions?
A) Access Reviews
B) Security Defaults
C) Privileged Identity Management
D) Azure AD Connect
Answer: A
Explanation:
Access Reviews in Azure AD provide organizations with the ability to periodically review access for both internal users and guest collaborators to ensure that permissions remain aligned with the principle of least privilege. Administrators or designated reviewers, such as managers or resource owners, can evaluate whether users still require access to applications, groups, or resources. If access is deemed unnecessary or users do not respond, permissions can be automatically removed, reducing the risk of over-provisioned access and potential security incidents. Security Defaults enforce baseline protections like mandatory MFA but do not include periodic access reviews or automated removal capabilities. Privileged Identity Management focuses on temporary elevation of administrative roles and auditing rather than general access governance. Azure AD Connect synchronizes on-premises accounts with Azure AD but does not facilitate access reviews or automated revocation of permissions.
Access Reviews provide organizations with a structured and automated approach to maintaining least-privilege access while ensuring that both internal and external users have appropriate permissions. By integrating Access Reviews with Conditional Access, multi-factor authentication, and device compliance policies, organizations create a layered security framework that continuously validates access based on current security and compliance requirements. This integration allows administrators to enforce policies dynamically, ensuring that only users who meet organizational standards can access critical resources, while also maintaining usability for legitimate users.
Audit logs generated during Access Reviews capture detailed information about who performed the review, the decisions made, automatic revocations, and any user responses. These logs are invaluable for regulatory reporting, internal audits, and operational oversight, providing transparency and accountability in access management. Organizations can demonstrate compliance with standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR by maintaining accurate and auditable records of periodic access reviews.
For guest users and external collaborators, Access Reviews are particularly critical. External users often require temporary access for projects, partnerships, or client engagements, and their permissions may become obsolete as projects conclude or roles change. Without regular evaluation, these accounts can accumulate unnecessary access, increasing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized activity. By implementing recurring reviews, organizations automatically remove stale or inappropriate access, reducing the attack surface and mitigating the risk of insider threats or credential misuse.
Access Reviews also reinforce zero-trust security principles by continuously validating that access is appropriate, based on up-to-date user, device, and context information. This ensures that permissions remain aligned with organizational policies and compliance requirements, even as environments, roles, and threats evolve. By enforcing least-privilege access dynamically, organizations can minimize the potential for privilege escalation and unauthorized resource access, while maintaining operational efficiency.
Moreover, Access Reviews complement other identity governance tools, such as Privileged Identity Management (PIM) and Azure AD B2B collaboration. While PIM governs temporary elevated access for administrators and B2B collaboration enables secure external access, Access Reviews provide recurring evaluation and automated remediation for both internal and external users. Together, these tools form a comprehensive identity governance framework that enhances security, supports compliance, and streamlines access management across hybrid and cloud environments.
Implementing Access Reviews ensures that organizations maintain control over user permissions, enforce accountability, reduce security risks, and maintain compliance, ultimately strengthening overall identity governance and protecting sensitive resources.
Question 150:
Which authentication method allows hybrid users to sign in to cloud applications using on-premises credentials without storing passwords in Azure AD?
A) Pass-through Authentication
B) Windows Hello for Business
C) FIDO2 passwordless authentication
D) Self-service password reset
Answer: A
Explanation:
Pass-through Authentication (PTA) allows hybrid users to authenticate to Azure AD and connected cloud applications using their on-premises Active Directory credentials without storing passwords in the cloud. When a user signs in, credentials are securely transmitted to on-premises Active Directory for validation. This ensures that sensitive password data remains on-premises, reducing the risk of exposure to cloud-based attacks such as phishing, credential theft, or replay attacks. Windows Hello for Business provides a passwordless, device-bound authentication method but does not authenticate against on-premises passwords in the same way as PTA. FIDO2 passwordless authentication provides secure, portable, and phishing-resistant access using cryptographic keys but does not rely on on-premises password validation. Self-service password reset allows users to recover forgotten passwords but does not remove reliance on passwords during standard authentication.
Pass-through Authentication (PTA) provides organizations with a robust solution for hybrid identity environments, where users require seamless access to both on-premises and cloud resources. By authenticating directly against on-premises Active Directory without replicating passwords to the cloud, PTA mitigates risks associated with credential exposure while ensuring that enterprise security policies remain consistently enforced. This centralization allows administrators to apply password complexity requirements, lockout thresholds, and account management rules in a single location, minimizing inconsistencies between on-premises and cloud authentication policies.
Integration with Azure AD Conditional Access further strengthens PTA by adding context-aware access controls. Organizations can enforce multi-factor authentication based on user risk, location, or device compliance, ensuring that even if credentials are valid, access may be blocked or challenged when suspicious activity is detected. This adaptive control enables a zero-trust approach, where no authentication is inherently trusted and continuous verification is applied. Audit logs generated during PTA sign-ins provide critical visibility for compliance reporting, incident response, and operational oversight, allowing security teams to monitor who is accessing resources, from where, and under what conditions.
PTA also enhances user experience by supporting single sign-on for hybrid scenarios. Users can access cloud applications like Microsoft 365 without additional password prompts while their authentication continues to be validated against on-premises credentials. This eliminates the need for duplicate passwords in cloud directories, reducing the likelihood of password reuse or weak password adoption. Unlike passwordless solutions such as FIDO2 security keys or Windows Hello for Business, PTA does not replace passwords; instead, it leverages existing on-premises credentials securely, maintaining a familiar authentication flow for users while ensuring compliance with organizational policies.
Operational efficiency is another key benefit of PTA. Since credentials are not stored in the cloud, administrators can centralize password management and security policies, reducing the complexity and overhead associated with synchronizing or managing separate password sets. PTA reduces the risk of misconfiguration in cloud-only authentication models and ensures that organizational security requirements, such as account lockout or conditional access triggers, are uniformly enforced.
For organizations adopting a hybrid cloud strategy, PTA provides an optimal balance of security, usability, and governance. By maintaining centralized control over authentication, enforcing conditional access policies, and providing detailed audit trails, PTA strengthens security posture while minimizing disruption to end users. This approach aligns with zero-trust principles by continuously validating identity and device context before granting access, ensuring that hybrid authentication remains both secure and efficient. Implementing PTA ensures that credentials remain protected, access is tightly controlled, and organizations can confidently manage hybrid environments without compromising security, usability, or compliance.