AI-102 Plan and manage an Azure AI solution Practice Question
You are deploying an Azure AI solution that uses multiple services. You need to manage access keys securely. Which TWO methods should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse Azure App Configuration with Azure Key Vault, thinking App Configuration can securely store secrets, but App Configuration is for non-sensitive settings and lacks the dedicated security controls (e.g., hardware security modules, access policies, and audit logging) that Key Vault provides.
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
✓
Use Azure Key Vault to store the keys.
Azure Key Vault is the recommended service for securely storing and managing access keys, secrets, and certificates. By storing AI service keys in Key Vault, you centralize secret management, control access via Azure RBAC, and avoid hardcoding credentials in code or configuration files. This aligns with the principle of least privilege and reduces the risk of accidental exposure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use Azure Key Vault to store the keys.
Why this is correct
Key Vault securely stores secrets like access keys.
- ✓
Use managed identities for Azure resources where possible.
Why this is correct
Managed identities eliminate the need for keys by providing an automatically managed identity.
- ✗
Embed the keys directly in application code.
Why it's wrong here
Embedding keys in code is a security risk.
- ✗
Store keys in Azure App Configuration.
Why it's wrong here
App Configuration is for configuration, not secrets; Key Vault is preferred.
- ✗
Use Key Vault's automatic key rotation feature.
Why it's wrong here
Key Vault can rotate keys, but it's not the primary method for access management; the question asks for methods to manage keys securely.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AI-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AI-102 exam.