- A
Apply Azure Information Protection labels to the storage account.
Why wrong: Azure Information Protection is for data classification, not encryption.
- B
Enable Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) and use Microsoft Entra ID for authentication.
SSE encrypts data at rest; Entra ID provides RBAC for access control.
- C
Implement client-side encryption using the Azure Storage SDK and manage keys via Azure Key Vault.
Why wrong: Client-side encryption is optional; SSE already encrypts data at rest.
- D
Use shared access signatures (SAS) with a stored access policy to limit access to the data.
Why wrong: SAS provides delegated access but does not enforce RBAC.
AZ-204 Develop for Azure storage Practice Question
This AZ-204 practice question tests your understanding of develop for azure storage. 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.
You are developing an application that stores sensitive user data in Azure Table Storage. You need to ensure that data is encrypted at rest and that only authorized users can access it. What should you implement?
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
Enable Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) and use Microsoft Entra ID for authentication.
Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) automatically encrypts data at rest for Azure Table Storage using 256-bit AES encryption. By combining SSE with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) for authentication, you ensure both encryption at rest and role-based access control, meeting the requirement for authorized access without managing keys or encryption logic client-side.
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.
- ✗
Apply Azure Information Protection labels to the storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Information Protection is for data classification, not encryption.
- ✓
Enable Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) and use Microsoft Entra ID for authentication.
Why this is correct
SSE encrypts data at rest; Entra ID provides RBAC for access control.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Implement client-side encryption using the Azure Storage SDK and manage keys via Azure Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is optional; SSE already encrypts data at rest.
- ✗
Use shared access signatures (SAS) with a stored access policy to limit access to the data.
Why it's wrong here
SAS provides delegated access but does not enforce RBAC.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse client-side encryption (Option C) as the only way to achieve encryption at rest, overlooking that Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) provides automatic, transparent server-side encryption without any code changes or key management burden.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SSE is enabled by default for all new storage accounts and encrypts data written to Azure managed disks, blobs, files, queues, and tables using FIPS 140-2 validated 256-bit AES encryption. When combined with Microsoft Entra ID, you can use Azure RBAC roles like 'Storage Table Data Reader' or 'Storage Table Data Contributor' to enforce fine-grained access control, eliminating the need for account keys or SAS tokens in many scenarios. Under the hood, SSE uses a single Microsoft-managed encryption key per storage account, but you can also bring your own key (BYOK) via Azure Key Vault for additional control.
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 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.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
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.
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Develop for Azure storage — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Develop for Azure storage — This question tests Develop for Azure storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) and use Microsoft Entra ID for authentication. — Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) automatically encrypts data at rest for Azure Table Storage using 256-bit AES encryption. By combining SSE with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) for authentication, you ensure both encryption at rest and role-based access control, meeting the requirement for authorized access without managing keys or encryption logic client-side.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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