Databricks-DE-Pro Data Governance Practice Question
A data engineer is using Delta Sharing to share a table with an external partner. The partner needs to access the shared data using their own Databricks workspace. Which protocol does Delta Sharing use to enable this cross-platform sharing?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that Delta Sharing uses traditional database connectivity like JDBC/ODBC or direct storage access, when it actually leverages a REST API with pre-signed URLs for secure, temporary access.
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
✓
REST API with pre-signed URLs
Delta Sharing is an open protocol that uses a REST API to facilitate data sharing. The provider's Delta Sharing server authenticates requests and returns pre-signed URLs that allow the recipient to download data directly from cloud storage. This design enables secure, cross-platform sharing without exposing the provider's storage credentials or requiring the recipient to use Databricks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SFTP transfer of Parquet files
Why it's wrong here
SFTP is a file transfer protocol, but Delta Sharing does not use SFTP. It is designed for efficient, secure sharing of large datasets using cloud-native storage and a REST API. SFTP would be inefficient and would not provide the fine-grained access control and auditing that Delta Sharing offers.
- ✗
JDBC/ODBC connection to the provider's SQL warehouse
Why it's wrong here
JDBC/ODBC is used for querying Databricks SQL warehouses, but Delta Sharing does not rely on this protocol for data access. The recipient does not connect to the provider's SQL warehouse; instead, they use the Delta Sharing protocol to read data directly from cloud storage via pre-signed URLs. JDBC/ODBC would require network access and credentials to the provider's workspace.
- ✓
REST API with pre-signed URLs
Why this is correct
Delta Sharing uses a REST API to provide access to shared data. The recipient's client authenticates and requests data, and the server returns pre-signed URLs pointing directly to cloud storage. This allows the recipient to download the data without needing direct access to the provider's cloud storage or Databricks workspace, enabling secure cross-platform sharing.
- ✗
Direct access to the provider's cloud storage with IAM roles
Why it's wrong here
Delta Sharing avoids granting direct access to the provider's cloud storage. Instead, it uses pre-signed URLs generated by the Delta Sharing server, which are temporary and scoped to specific files. Granting IAM roles would expose the provider's storage to the recipient, which is not secure and defeats the purpose of Delta Sharing's controlled access model.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every Databricks-DE-Pro question from scratch — 267 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.