Databricks-DE-Assoc Databricks Intelligence Platform Practice Question
A data engineer needs to share a Delta table with an external partner who does not have a Databricks account. The engineer wants to provide read-only access to the table for a limited time, ensuring the partner cannot access any other data. Which Databricks feature should the engineer use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a personal access token or SQL endpoint can be securely shared with an external partner without granting broader access; Delta Sharing is purpose-built for this use case with fine-grained controls.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Unity Catalog delta sharing with a recipient and expiration.
Delta Sharing is Databricks' open protocol for secure data sharing with external parties, including those without Databricks accounts. With Unity Catalog, you can create a share containing specific tables and grant access to a recipient. The recipient can be given an expiration date, and they can access the data using any Delta Sharing client. This provides granular, read-only access limited to the shared data.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Unity Catalog delta sharing with a recipient and expiration.
Why this is correct
Delta Sharing in Unity Catalog allows secure data sharing with external recipients, even those without Databricks accounts. The engineer can create a share, add the table, and grant access to a recipient. The recipient can be configured with an expiration date, and access is limited to the shared data only, meeting the requirements.
- ✗
Generate a personal access token (PAT) for the partner to query the table via JDBC.
Why it's wrong here
A PAT would grant the partner access to the Databricks workspace with the privileges of the token owner, potentially allowing access to other data. It does not provide granular, read-only access to a single table, and it cannot be limited in time easily. This approach violates the principle of least privilege.
- ✗
Export the table to a CSV file and share it via a secure file transfer.
Why it's wrong here
Exporting to CSV is a manual process that does not provide live access or updates. It also lacks governance and auditability. The partner would have a static copy, and the engineer would need to manage file transfers and updates manually. This does not meet the requirement for secure, time-limited access to the table.
- ✗
Create a Databricks SQL endpoint and provide the partner with a SQL query URL.
Why it's wrong here
A SQL endpoint URL still requires authentication and typically a Databricks account. Without an account, the partner cannot access the endpoint. While some public sharing features exist, they are not as secure or controlled as Delta Sharing. This option does not provide a straightforward way for an external partner without an account to access the data.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Databricks exam blueprint
This Databricks-DE-Assoc practice question is part of Courseiva's free Databricks certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the Databricks-DE-Assoc exam.