Databricks-DE-Pro Data Security and Compliance Practice Question
A data engineer is configuring a Databricks workspace with Unity Catalog. The security team wants to ensure that all data access is logged for compliance auditing. The engineer enables audit logs and configures delivery to a cloud storage location. Which Unity Catalog object should the engineer use to query audit logs for data access events?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse cluster event logs or metadata views with Unity Catalog audit logs, which are specifically stored in system tables.
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
✓
The system table 'system.access.audit' in Unity Catalog.
Unity Catalog system tables include 'system.access.audit', which records audit events such as data access. This table is automatically populated and can be queried for compliance. Other options refer to non-existent or unrelated objects. The system table is the correct and standard way to access audit logs within Unity Catalog.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The system table 'system.access.audit' in Unity Catalog.
Why this is correct
Unity Catalog provides system tables that contain audit logs. The 'system.access.audit' table records all access events, including data access, and can be queried directly in Databricks SQL or a notebook. This table is part of the system schema and is automatically populated when audit logging is enabled. It is the correct object for querying audit logs within Unity Catalog.
- ✗
The 'event_log' table in the workspace's Hive metastore.
Why it's wrong here
The 'event_log' table in the Hive metastore is used for cluster event logs, not for Unity Catalog audit logs. It does not capture data access events across the workspace. Unity Catalog audit logs are stored in system tables, not in the Hive metastore. Using the event_log would not provide the required compliance auditing information.
- ✗
The 'audit_logs' Delta table in the 'default' database.
Why it's wrong here
There is no default 'audit_logs' Delta table in the 'default' database. Audit logs are not automatically created in a user database. Unity Catalog stores audit logs in system tables under the 'system' catalog. The engineer would need to query 'system.access.audit' instead. Creating a custom table would require manual setup and is not the standard method.
- ✗
The 'information_schema.audit_logs' view in Unity Catalog.
Why it's wrong here
Unity Catalog's information_schema contains metadata views, but it does not include an 'audit_logs' view. Audit logs are in the 'system.access.audit' table, not in information_schema. The information_schema is for metadata like tables, columns, and privileges, not for audit events. Querying information_schema would not return data access logs.
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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-Pro 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-Pro exam.