Microsoft SC-100 Cybersecurity Architect Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 6 Q76-90

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Question76:

A multinational enterprise wants to enforce adaptive access policies that evaluate user behavior, device compliance, and risk signals for all cloud applications. Which solution provides the most effective protection?

A) Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance
B) Traditional Active Directory password expiration policies
C) VPN access restricted to corporate IP ranges
D) Local accounts with complex passwords and manual provisioning

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance, provides the most effective adaptive access solution for cloud applications. Conditional Access evaluates every sign-in attempt in real time, analyzing multiple signals including user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral anomalies. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts, suspicious sign-ins, and high-risk activity, automatically triggering adaptive responses such as multi-factor authentication, access blocks, or password resets. Device compliance ensures only secure, managed endpoints can access enterprise resources, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. This solution adheres to zero-trust principles, granting access dynamically based on continuous risk assessment rather than static credentials. Centralized monitoring, reporting, and auditing give organizations visibility into user activity, risk events, and regulatory compliance. Adaptive policies reduce administrative overhead, scale across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and ensure that legitimate users experience minimal friction. The cloud-native solution protects sensitive enterprise resources, reduces exposure to threats, and strengthens overall security posture.

Option B, traditional Active Directory password expiration policies, is static and reactive. Password-only policies cannot adapt to real-time risks or enforce adaptive controls. They are vulnerable to phishing, credential theft, and replay attacks. This approach lacks centralized monitoring, auditing, and scalability for cloud applications.

Option C, VPN access restricted to corporate IP ranges, provides network-level security but does not assess identity, device compliance, or behavioral risks. Users with compromised credentials could access resources from allowed IP ranges. VPNs cannot integrate with cloud applications for centralized governance or auditing.

Option D, local accounts with complex passwords and manual provisioning, are operationally inefficient and insecure. Manual account management cannot enforce adaptive policies, and complex passwords alone cannot prevent unauthorized access. Local accounts are not scalable for enterprise zero-trust frameworks.

Question77:

A healthcare organization wants clinicians to securely access electronic health records remotely while ensuring HIPAA compliance. Which solution is most suitable?

A) Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with device compliance and risk-based policies
B) Traditional Active Directory password policies without MFA
C) VPN access limited to corporate IP ranges
D) Local accounts with complex passwords and no monitoring

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with device compliance and risk-based policies, is the most suitable solution for secure remote access in healthcare. Conditional Access evaluates sign-ins in real time, considering user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral patterns. Risk-based policies dynamically enforce multi-factor authentication, block access, or require password resets for high-risk sign-ins. Device compliance ensures only managed, secure devices can access sensitive patient data, including electronic health records. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts or suspicious activity, minimizing unauthorized access risks. This solution supports HIPAA compliance through detailed auditing, monitoring, and reporting of all access activity. Clinicians can securely access cloud applications remotely, enabling telehealth and hybrid workflows without compromising patient data. Adaptive policies reduce friction for legitimate users while enforcing strict security measures for high-risk scenarios, supporting zero-trust principles. Centralized monitoring, reporting, and automation improve operational efficiency and strengthen overall security posture.

Option B, traditional Active Directory password policies without MFA, is insufficient. Password-only authentication cannot prevent phishing, credential theft, or unauthorized access, leaving sensitive patient data exposed and non-compliant with HIPAA.

Option C, VPN access limited to corporate IP ranges, provides network-level security but cannot assess device compliance or user behavior. Compromised credentials could allow unauthorized access, and VPN-only solutions lack auditing or integration with cloud applications for compliance purposes.

Option D, local accounts with complex passwords and no monitoring, are highly insecure. Manual account management cannot enforce adaptive policies or provide centralized auditing. Even strong passwords cannot prevent unauthorized access, making this solution unsuitable for healthcare organizations.

Question78:

A multinational enterprise wants to enforce least-privilege access across hybrid and cloud applications and conduct periodic access reviews. Which solution is the most scalable and compliant?

A) Microsoft Entra ID entitlement management with access reviews
B) Manual spreadsheets tracking user permissions
C) VPN access control lists updated quarterly
D) Local accounts with ad hoc permission audits

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID entitlement management with access reviews, is the most scalable and compliant solution for enforcing least-privilege access. Entitlement management allows administrators to create access packages tied to specific roles and resources with automated assignment, approval workflows, and dynamic provisioning. Access reviews validate that users retain only the permissions necessary for their roles and remove outdated or unnecessary access. Automation reduces administrative effort, prevents orphaned accounts, and mitigates the risk of over-privileged users. Integration with cloud applications provides centralized monitoring, auditing, and reporting for compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and other regulations. Enterprises can consistently enforce least-privilege access across hybrid and cloud environments while maintaining operational efficiency. Periodic access reviews enhance accountability, transparency, and security posture, allowing organizations to demonstrate regulatory compliance. This approach reduces the risk of internal and external threats exploiting excessive permissions and ensures access rights remain aligned with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

Option B, manual spreadsheets tracking user permissions, is error-prone and does not scale. Manual updates are labor-intensive, prone to mistakes, and cannot provide real-time enforcement. Spreadsheets lack integration with cloud applications and cannot generate audit logs, making compliance verification difficult.

Option C, VPN access control lists updated quarterly, provide only network-level control and do not manage application-level permissions. Quarterly updates leave users with excessive privileges for extended periods. ACLs lack centralized monitoring, auditing, and reporting, reducing effectiveness for least-privilege enforcement.

Option D, local accounts with ad hoc permission audits, are inefficient and insecure. Audits are irregular and unreliable. Local accounts cannot integrate with cloud applications, scale across large enterprises, or provide centralized monitoring, leaving sensitive resources exposed.

Question79:

An enterprise wants to securely collaborate with external partners while maintaining access control and compliance monitoring. Which solution is most suitable?

A) Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration with Conditional Access and access reviews
B) SharePoint on-premises with unrestricted sharing links
C) Manual email approvals for each external document
D) Local accounts for external collaborators without monitoring

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration with Conditional Access and access reviews, is the most suitable solution for secure external collaboration. B2B collaboration integrates external partners into the organization’s directory while maintaining centralized identity management. Conditional Access evaluates risk signals, device compliance, and user behavior, enforcing adaptive policies such as multi-factor authentication or blocking high-risk sign-ins. Access reviews ensure external collaborators retain access only as long as necessary, reducing the risk of unauthorized exposure. Audit logs and reporting support regulatory compliance requirements. This solution scales efficiently across multiple partners and projects, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures sensitive resources remain protected without hindering productivity. Enterprises can securely collaborate with external users while maintaining governance, transparency, and operational efficiency.

Option B, SharePoint on-premises with unrestricted sharing links, is insecure. Open links bypass authentication and access controls, providing uncontrolled access. There is no auditing, time-bound access, or compliance enforcement, increasing the risk of data leakage and regulatory violations.

Option C, manual email approvals for each external document, provides limited control but is inefficient and error-prone. It does not scale for frequent collaborations and lacks automated monitoring, auditing, and access reviews.

Option D, local accounts for external collaborators without monitoring, are insecure and impractical. Manual account management cannot scale, enforce centralized policies, or provide auditing. External users may retain access unnecessarily, increasing exposure risk.

Question80:

A multinational enterprise wants to implement a cloud-native zero-trust security model for identity and access management across all applications and devices. Which solution provides the most comprehensive coverage?

A) Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance
B) Traditional Active Directory password policies
C) VPN access restricted to corporate networks
D) Local accounts with manual provisioning

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance, provides the most comprehensive cloud-native zero-trust solution. Conditional Access evaluates multiple risk signals, including user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral anomalies, to enforce adaptive access policies. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts, unusual sign-ins, and high-risk activities. Device compliance ensures that only secure, approved endpoints can access corporate resources. Zero-trust principles are applied, granting access dynamically based on continuous evaluation of identity and device health rather than implicit trust. Adaptive controls, such as multi-factor authentication or access blocking, are applied in real time according to risk assessment. Centralized monitoring, auditing, and reporting provide visibility into enterprise security posture and support regulatory compliance. This integrated approach enables end-to-end protection across hybrid and cloud environments while maintaining secure productivity for global workforces.

Option B, traditional Active Directory password policies, provides limited protection. Password-only policies cannot detect high-risk activities, enforce adaptive access, or ensure device compliance. This approach is insufficient for zero-trust and cannot scale effectively in cloud environments.

Option C, VPN access restricted to corporate networks, provides network-level security only. It does not evaluate identity, device compliance, or behavioral risks. Compromised credentials or insecure devices within permitted networks could still access resources, violating zero-trust principles.

Option D, local accounts with manual provisioning, is insecure and not scalable. Manual account management does not provide centralized monitoring, auditing, or adaptive policy enforcement, leaving enterprise resources vulnerable.

Question81:

A multinational enterprise wants to implement adaptive access policies that evaluate user identity, device compliance, and risk signals for all cloud applications. Which solution provides the most effective protection?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance, provides the most effective solution for adaptive access across cloud applications. Conditional Access evaluates every sign-in in real time, analyzing multiple signals including user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral anomalies. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts, unusual sign-ins, and high-risk activity, automatically triggering adaptive controls such as multi-factor authentication, access blocks, or password resets. Device compliance ensures only secure, managed endpoints can access enterprise resources, reducing unauthorized access risks. This solution adheres to zero-trust principles, granting access dynamically based on continuous risk assessment rather than static credentials. Centralized monitoring, reporting, and auditing provide organizations with visibility into user activity, risk events, and regulatory compliance. Adaptive policies reduce administrative overhead, scale across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and ensure a seamless experience for legitimate users while maintaining robust security. The integrated cloud-native approach protects sensitive enterprise resources, mitigates exposure to threats, and strengthens overall security posture.

Option B, traditional Active Directory password expiration policies, is static and reactive. Password-only policies cannot adapt to real-time risks or enforce adaptive controls. They are vulnerable to phishing, credential theft, and replay attacks. This method lacks centralized monitoring, auditing, and scalability for hybrid or cloud environments.

Option C, VPN access restricted to corporate IP ranges, provides network-level security but does not assess identity, device compliance, or behavioral risks. Users with compromised credentials could access resources from permitted IP addresses. VPNs cannot integrate with cloud applications for centralized governance or auditing, making them insufficient for enterprise zero-trust frameworks.

Option D, local accounts with complex passwords and manual provisioning, are operationally inefficient and insecure. Manual account management cannot enforce adaptive policies, and strong passwords alone cannot prevent unauthorized access. Local accounts are not scalable for enterprise zero-trust frameworks and cannot provide real-time monitoring or auditing.

Question82:

A healthcare organization wants clinicians to securely access electronic health records remotely while ensuring HIPAA compliance. Which solution is the most appropriate?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with device compliance and risk-based policies, provides the most appropriate solution for secure remote access in healthcare. Conditional Access evaluates sign-ins in real time based on user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral patterns. Risk-based policies dynamically enforce multi-factor authentication, block access, or require password resets for high-risk activity. Device compliance ensures only managed, secure devices can access sensitive patient data, including electronic health records. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts and suspicious behavior, minimizing unauthorized access risks. This solution supports HIPAA compliance through detailed auditing, monitoring, and reporting of all access activity. Clinicians can securely access cloud applications remotely, enabling telehealth and hybrid workflows while protecting patient information. Adaptive policies reduce friction for legitimate users while enforcing strict security measures for high-risk scenarios, supporting zero-trust principles. Centralized monitoring, reporting, and automation improve operational efficiency and enhance overall security posture.

Option B, traditional Active Directory password policies without MFA, is inadequate. Password-only authentication cannot prevent phishing, credential theft, or unauthorized access, leaving sensitive data exposed and non-compliant with HIPAA.

Option C, VPN access limited to corporate IP ranges, provides network-level protection but cannot assess device compliance or user behavior. Compromised credentials could allow unauthorized access, and VPN-only solutions lack auditing or integration with cloud applications to ensure compliance.

Question83:

A global enterprise wants to enforce least-privilege access across hybrid and cloud applications and conduct periodic access reviews. Which solution is most scalable and compliant?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID entitlement management with access reviews, is the most scalable and compliant solution for enforcing least-privilege access. Entitlement management allows administrators to define access packages tied to roles and resources with automated assignment, approval workflows, and dynamic provisioning. Access reviews validate that users retain only the permissions necessary for their current roles and remove outdated or unnecessary access. Automation reduces administrative effort, prevents orphaned accounts, and mitigates the risk of over-privileged users. Integration with cloud applications provides centralized monitoring, auditing, and reporting to ensure compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and other regulations. Enterprises can consistently enforce least-privilege access across hybrid and cloud environments while maintaining operational efficiency. Periodic access reviews enhance accountability, transparency, and security posture, allowing organizations to demonstrate regulatory compliance. This approach reduces risks from internal and external threats exploiting excessive permissions, ensuring that access rights align with organizational policies and compliance requirements.

Option C, VPN access control lists updated quarterly, provide only network-level control and do not manage application-level permissions. Quarterly updates leave users with excessive privileges for extended periods. ACLs do not provide centralized monitoring, auditing, or reporting, reducing effectiveness for least-privilege enforcement.

Question84:

An enterprise wants to securely collaborate with external partners while maintaining access control and compliance monitoring. Which solution is most suitable?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Question85:

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance, provides the most comprehensive cloud-native zero-trust solution. Conditional Access evaluates multiple risk signals, including user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral anomalies, to enforce adaptive access policies. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts, unusual sign-ins, and high-risk activities. Device compliance ensures that only secure, approved endpoints can access corporate resources. Zero-trust principles are applied, granting access dynamically based on continuous evaluation of identity and device health rather than implicit trust. Adaptive controls such as multi-factor authentication or access blocking are applied in real time according to risk assessment. Centralized monitoring, auditing, and reporting provide visibility into enterprise security posture and support regulatory compliance. This integrated approach enables end-to-end protection across hybrid and cloud environments while maintaining secure productivity for global workforces.

Question86:

A global enterprise wants to enforce adaptive access policies that evaluate user identity, device compliance, and behavioral signals to prevent unauthorized access to all cloud applications. Which solution is most effective?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance, is the most effective adaptive access solution for cloud applications. Conditional Access evaluates each sign-in attempt in real time, taking into account user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral anomalies. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts, unusual sign-ins, and high-risk activities, automatically enforcing adaptive responses such as multi-factor authentication, access blocking, or password resets. Device compliance ensures that only secure, managed endpoints can access enterprise resources, mitigating unauthorized access risks. This approach adheres to zero-trust principles, granting access dynamically based on continuous risk evaluation rather than static credentials. Centralized monitoring, reporting, and auditing provide complete visibility into user activity, risk events, and regulatory compliance, enabling proactive threat mitigation. Adaptive enforcement reduces administrative overhead, scales effectively across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and ensures a frictionless experience for legitimate users. By combining identity protection, device compliance, and real-time risk evaluation, this integrated cloud-native solution safeguards sensitive enterprise resources and strengthens overall security posture.

Option B, traditional Active Directory password expiration policies, is reactive and static. Password-only policies cannot adapt to real-time threats or enforce adaptive security controls. They are vulnerable to phishing attacks, credential theft, and replay attacks. This method lacks centralized monitoring, auditing, and the ability to scale effectively across cloud applications or hybrid environments.

Option C, VPN access restricted to corporate IP ranges, provides network-level control but cannot assess identity, device compliance, or behavioral signals. Users with compromised credentials can still access enterprise resources if connecting from permitted IP ranges. VPN-only solutions lack integration with cloud applications and centralized governance, reducing their effectiveness in a zero-trust security model.

Option D, local accounts with complex passwords and manual provisioning, are operationally inefficient and insecure. Manual account management cannot enforce risk-based or adaptive policies. Strong passwords alone are insufficient to prevent unauthorized access. Local accounts are not scalable for enterprise zero-trust frameworks and cannot provide real-time monitoring, auditing, or adaptive access enforcement.

Question87:

A healthcare organization wants clinicians to securely access electronic health records remotely while ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. Which solution is most suitable?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with device compliance and risk-based policies, provides the most suitable solution for secure remote access in healthcare. Conditional Access evaluates sign-ins in real time, analyzing user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral patterns. Risk-based policies dynamically enforce multi-factor authentication, block access, or require password resets for high-risk sign-ins. Device compliance ensures that only managed, secure devices can access sensitive patient data, including electronic health records. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts or suspicious activity, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access. This solution supports HIPAA compliance by providing detailed auditing, monitoring, and reporting of all access activity. Clinicians can securely access cloud applications remotely, enabling telehealth and hybrid workflows without compromising patient privacy. Adaptive policies reduce friction for legitimate users while enforcing strict security measures for high-risk scenarios, supporting zero-trust principles. Centralized monitoring, reporting, and automation improve operational efficiency and enhance overall security posture.

Option C, VPN access limited to corporate IP ranges, provides network-level security but cannot evaluate device compliance or user behavior. Compromised credentials could allow unauthorized access, and VPN-only solutions do not integrate with cloud applications for centralized auditing or regulatory compliance monitoring.

Question88:

A multinational enterprise wants to enforce least-privilege access across hybrid and cloud environments and conduct periodic access reviews. Which solution is the most scalable and compliant?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID entitlement management with access reviews, is the most scalable and compliant solution for enforcing least-privilege access. Entitlement management allows administrators to create access packages tied to specific roles and resources with automated assignment, approval workflows, and dynamic provisioning. Access reviews validate that users retain only the permissions necessary for their current roles and remove outdated or unnecessary access. Automation reduces administrative effort, prevents orphaned accounts, and mitigates risks associated with over-privileged users. Integration with cloud applications provides centralized monitoring, auditing, and reporting for compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, and other regulations. Enterprises can consistently enforce least-privilege access across hybrid and cloud environments while maintaining operational efficiency. Periodic access reviews enhance accountability, transparency, and security posture, allowing organizations to demonstrate regulatory compliance. This approach reduces risks from internal and external threats exploiting excessive permissions and ensures access rights remain aligned with organizational policies.

Option C, VPN access control lists updated quarterly, provide only network-level control and do not manage application-level permissions. Quarterly updates leave users with excessive privileges for long periods. ACLs do not provide centralized monitoring, auditing, or reporting, limiting their effectiveness for least-privilege enforcement.

Question89:

An enterprise wants to securely collaborate with external partners while maintaining access control and compliance monitoring. Which solution is most appropriate?

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra B2B collaboration with Conditional Access and access reviews, is the most appropriate solution for secure external collaboration. B2B collaboration allows external partners to be integrated into the organization’s directory while maintaining centralized identity management. Conditional Access evaluates risk signals, device compliance, and user behavior, enforcing adaptive policies such as multi-factor authentication or blocking high-risk sign-ins. Access reviews ensure that external collaborators retain access only for as long as necessary, reducing the risk of unauthorized exposure. Audit logs and reporting support regulatory compliance requirements. This solution scales efficiently across multiple partners and projects, reduces administrative overhead, and ensures sensitive resources remain protected without hindering productivity. Enterprises can collaborate securely with external users while maintaining governance, transparency, and operational efficiency.

Question90:

Answer:
A

Explanation:

Option A, Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance, provides the most comprehensive cloud-native zero-trust solution. Conditional Access evaluates multiple risk signals including user identity, device compliance, geolocation, and behavioral anomalies to enforce adaptive access policies. Identity Protection continuously monitors for compromised accounts, unusual sign-ins, and high-risk activities. Device compliance ensures only secure, approved endpoints can access corporate resources. Zero-trust principles are applied, granting access dynamically based on continuous evaluation of identity and device health rather than implicit trust. Adaptive controls, such as multi-factor authentication or access blocking, are applied in real time according to risk assessment. Centralized monitoring, auditing, and reporting provide visibility into enterprise security posture and support regulatory compliance. This integrated approach enables end-to-end protection across hybrid and cloud environments while maintaining secure productivity for global workforces.

Option A: Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access with Identity Protection and device compliance

Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access, integrated with Identity Protection and device compliance, is a modern, cloud-native approach that aligns perfectly with zero-trust security principles. Unlike traditional security methods that rely on perimeter defenses and implicit trust, this solution continuously evaluates trust for every access request. The foundation of zero-trust is the assumption that no user, device, or network should be trusted automatically. Instead, access decisions must be made dynamically based on the current context, risk signals, and compliance status. Conditional Access provides this dynamic evaluation by analyzing multiple factors simultaneously.

Identity verification is central to this approach. Conditional Access assesses the user’s credentials, role, and historical activity patterns. This evaluation is not limited to simple password authentication; it incorporates behavioral signals, such as unusual sign-in times, unfamiliar devices, or locations inconsistent with previous activity. Identity Protection continuously monitors these patterns, detecting suspicious or high-risk behaviors such as brute-force login attempts, use of compromised credentials, impossible travel scenarios, and other anomalous activities. When such risks are detected, automated mitigation steps are taken. These may include requiring multi-factor authentication (MFA), temporarily blocking the account, or forcing a password reset. This proactive monitoring ensures that threats are addressed before they can lead to data breaches or compromise enterprise resources.

Device compliance is another critical pillar of this framework. Only devices meeting predefined security requirements are allowed access to sensitive resources. These requirements may include encrypted storage, updated operating systems, approved antivirus software, and adherence to organizational security configurations. By enforcing device compliance, organizations prevent access from potentially vulnerable or unmanaged endpoints. This reduces the attack surface, ensuring that access is only granted from trusted and secure devices. The integration of device compliance with identity verification and adaptive policies creates a robust, multi-layered defense mechanism that protects both cloud-based and on-premises applications.

Adaptive access policies are central to the zero-trust methodology. Conditional Access evaluates the risk of every access attempt in real time and enforces controls dynamically. For low-risk sign-ins, access can be granted with minimal friction, supporting productivity and user experience. For higher-risk scenarios, additional controls such as MFA, access blocking, or step-up verification are applied immediately. This dynamic approach ensures that security enforcement is proportional to the risk level, balancing protection with usability.

Centralized monitoring and auditing further enhance the security posture. Administrators can view detailed insights into user sign-ins, device compliance status, policy triggers, and risk events. These insights are invaluable for detecting trends, identifying potential threats, and demonstrating compliance with regulatory requirements. The centralized reporting framework also supports incident response and forensic investigations, enabling security teams to understand and mitigate risks efficiently. For global organizations, this solution provides consistent policy enforcement across regions, applications, and cloud services, ensuring uniform security standards and operational efficiency.

Option A is inherently scalable. It is designed for modern enterprises with distributed workforces accessing resources from multiple locations, devices, and cloud applications. Policies can be applied consistently across the organization, supporting hybrid and cloud-based architectures without compromising security. This approach not only protects sensitive data but also supports operational agility and secure collaboration, making it the most comprehensive choice for implementing a true zero-trust security model.

Option B: Traditional Active Directory password policies

Traditional Active Directory password policies rely on static security controls such as password complexity requirements, expiration intervals, and account lockout thresholds. While these policies provide a basic level of protection, they are inherently limited in scope and effectiveness for modern enterprise environments. Password-based security relies solely on the assumption that the user’s credentials have not been compromised. This assumption is increasingly unreliable in today’s threat landscape, where phishing, credential theft, and brute-force attacks are common.

Password policies do not account for the context of login attempts. They cannot detect high-risk activities such as unusual login locations, abnormal device usage, or behavior inconsistent with normal user patterns. They also do not evaluate the security posture of the device attempting to access resources. As a result, a compromised password from an unmanaged or insecure device can lead to unauthorized access without detection. Traditional password policies operate reactively rather than proactively, addressing breaches only after they occur rather than preventing them in real time.

Additionally, password policies do not scale effectively for cloud-based or hybrid environments. Modern enterprises require access to applications across multiple platforms, including SaaS services, cloud infrastructure, and on-premises resources. Managing passwords across these environments can become complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors. Users are also more likely to adopt risky behaviors, such as reusing passwords or storing them insecurely, when required to remember multiple complex credentials. Password-only approaches provide no centralized visibility or auditing, limiting the organization’s ability to monitor risk, detect anomalous activity, or enforce consistent security policies.

In summary, while traditional Active Directory password policies offer a baseline control, they are insufficient for implementing zero-trust security. They provide limited protection, lack adaptability, and cannot address the dynamic threats present in cloud-first environments. They also fail to scale effectively for modern enterprises, leaving gaps in security coverage.

Option C: VPN access restricted to corporate networks

VPN access establishes encrypted tunnels between remote users and enterprise networks, providing network-level security. Restricting VPN access to corporate networks helps ensure that only devices connecting from approved IP ranges can access internal resources. While this approach protects the network perimeter, it is insufficient for zero-trust security because it relies on the implicit trust of users and devices once connected to the network.

VPNs do not evaluate identity risk, device compliance, or behavioral anomalies. A compromised credential or an insecure device connected to the VPN can access sensitive resources without detection. VPNs focus solely on network-level access, ignoring the context and risk associated with each login attempt. This model is incompatible with the zero-trust principle, which requires continuous verification of trust regardless of network location.

Operationally, VPNs can introduce performance and scalability challenges. Routing all traffic through the VPN can create latency and network congestion, particularly for distributed or global workforces. Scaling VPN infrastructure to accommodate remote users and cloud applications increases complexity and costs. Furthermore, VPNs do not provide centralized auditing or adaptive enforcement capabilities, limiting visibility and responsiveness to security threats. While VPNs may protect traffic in transit, they cannot dynamically enforce risk-based policies or mitigate modern security risks effectively.

Option D: Local accounts with manual provisioning

Local accounts with manual provisioning are highly limited and pose significant security and operational challenges. In this model, administrators manually create, manage, and remove accounts. This approach is labor-intensive and prone to human error. Misconfigured permissions, inactive accounts left active, or weak passwords are common issues that introduce vulnerabilities. Manual provisioning does not support adaptive security measures, such as dynamic MFA enforcement or risk-based access controls, leaving sensitive resources exposed to threats.

Local accounts lack centralized monitoring and auditing. Security teams cannot easily track sign-in activity, identify anomalous behavior, or enforce consistent security policies. This absence of visibility hinders incident response and regulatory compliance. Additionally, local accounts do not scale effectively for cloud or hybrid environments. Users may require multiple credentials across different systems, increasing the risk of insecure password practices, including reuse and sharing. Operational inefficiencies grow as the organization expands, making this approach impractical for modern enterprise security.

Microsoft SC-100 Cybersecurity Architect Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 6 Q76-90

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