Quick Answer
The answer is DeployIfNotExists. This policy effect is correct because it actively remediates noncompliant storage accounts by deploying a predefined network rules configuration that restricts access to selected networks, rather than merely reporting the violation like the Audit effect. On the AZ-104 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure Policy effects and their operational behavior—specifically, the distinction between audit-only and remediation-capable effects. A common trap is choosing Audit, which only flags noncompliance without fixing it, or Modify, which is used for altering existing resource properties rather than deploying a new configuration. Remember the memory tip: “DeployIfNotExists builds the fix; Audit only lists the mix.” This helps you recall that DeployIfNotExists automatically deploys a resource or configuration when a noncompliant condition is detected, making it the ideal choice for enforcing storage account network rules at scale.
This AZ-104 practice question tests your understanding of manage azure identities and governance. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Your organization requires all storage accounts to allow access only from selected networks. You need a governance solution that automatically corrects noncompliant new storage accounts when possible instead of only reporting them. What policy effect should you choose?
Audit
Why wrong: Audit identifies noncompliance but does not remediate it.
Disabled
Why wrong: Disabled turns off the policy effect.
DeployIfNotExists
This effect supports automatic remediation when conditions are not met.
Append
Why wrong: Append can add properties in some creation scenarios but is not the main remediation choice here.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DeployIfNotExists
The DeployIfNotExists policy effect is correct because it can automatically remediate noncompliant storage accounts by deploying a network rules configuration that restricts access to selected networks. Unlike Audit, which only reports compliance status, DeployIfNotExists actively modifies the resource to meet the policy requirement when possible, aligning with the need for automatic correction.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Audit
Why it's wrong here
Audit identifies noncompliance but does not remediate it.
Disabled
Why it's wrong here
Disabled turns off the policy effect.
DeployIfNotExists
Why this is correct
This effect supports automatic remediation when conditions are not met.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Append
Why it's wrong here
Append can add properties in some creation scenarios but is not the main remediation choice here.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often choose Append thinking it can modify network rules, but Append only adds properties to the resource (like tags) and cannot change existing network access configurations, whereas DeployIfNotExists can deploy a full remediation template.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Append can add properties in some creation scenarios but is not the main remediation choice here.
Detailed technical explanation
DeployIfNotExists works by evaluating the resource after creation and, if the required network rules are missing, it triggers a deployment of a linked ARM template or policy assignment to add the rules. This effect requires a managed identity with appropriate permissions to modify the storage account's network ACLs. In a real-world scenario, if a storage account is created without a service endpoint or firewall rule, DeployIfNotExists can automatically add the 'default_action = Deny' and allow only specified IP ranges or virtual networks, ensuring continuous compliance.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
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FAQ
Manage Azure Identities and Governance — This question tests Manage Azure Identities and Governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: DeployIfNotExists — The DeployIfNotExists policy effect is correct because it can automatically remediate noncompliant storage accounts by deploying a network rules configuration that restricts access to selected networks. Unlike Audit, which only reports compliance status, DeployIfNotExists actively modifies the resource to meet the policy requirement when possible, aligning with the need for automatic correction.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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