- A
Azure SQL databases (Defender for Databases)
Defender for Databases covers SQL and other database types.
- B
Azure Key Vault (Defender for Key Vault)
Defender for Key Vault monitors access patterns.
- C
Azure AD identities
Why wrong: Azure AD is protected by Azure AD Identity Protection, not Defender for Cloud.
- D
Virtual machines (Defender for Servers)
Defender for Servers protects VMs.
- E
Azure DNS zones
Why wrong: DNS zones are not covered by Defender plans.
Question 32 of 1,000
CCSP Cloud Security Operations Practice Question
This CCSP practice question tests your understanding of cloud security operations. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security analyst is configuring Azure Defender for Cloud to protect a hybrid environment. Which THREE resource types can be protected by enabling Azure Defender plans? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Azure SQL databases (Defender for Databases)
Azure Defender for Cloud provides integrated security protections for Azure resources. Enabling the 'Defender for Databases' plan specifically protects Azure SQL databases by detecting anomalous activities, SQL injection attempts, and potential vulnerabilities. This plan extends to other database types like Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure Synapse SQL pools, ensuring comprehensive database security.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Azure SQL databases (Defender for Databases)
Why this is correct
Defender for Databases covers SQL and other database types.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Azure Key Vault (Defender for Key Vault)
Why this is correct
Defender for Key Vault monitors access patterns.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure AD identities
Why it's wrong here
Azure AD is protected by Azure AD Identity Protection, not Defender for Cloud.
- ✓
Virtual machines (Defender for Servers)
Why this is correct
Defender for Servers protects VMs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure DNS zones
Why it's wrong here
DNS zones are not covered by Defender plans.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between Azure Defender plans (which protect specific resource types like VMs, databases, and Key Vault) and other Azure security services (like Azure AD Identity Protection or Azure DNS security features), leading candidates to incorrectly select Azure AD identities or DNS zones as protected resources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Defender for Cloud operates by enabling plans at the subscription level, each targeting specific resource types. For example, Defender for Servers uses the Log Analytics agent or Azure Arc to collect security events and apply threat detection rules, while Defender for Key Vault monitors access patterns and alerts on suspicious operations like mass secret retrieval. A subtle behavior is that enabling a plan retroactively applies protection to existing resources of that type, but some advanced features (e.g., vulnerability scanning for VMs) require additional configuration like deploying the Qualys agent.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Cloud Security Operations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Cloud Security Operations practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CCSP question test?
Cloud Security Operations — This question tests Cloud Security Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure SQL databases (Defender for Databases) — Azure Defender for Cloud provides integrated security protections for Azure resources. Enabling the 'Defender for Databases' plan specifically protects Azure SQL databases by detecting anomalous activities, SQL injection attempts, and potential vulnerabilities. This plan extends to other database types like Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure Synapse SQL pools, ensuring comprehensive database security.
What should I do if I get this CCSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CCSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CCSP exam.
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