AZ-204 Practice Question: Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services
Which TWO Azure services can be used to securely store and retrieve secrets, such as API keys and connection strings, for use in cloud applications?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates may think only Azure Key Vault can store secrets, but Azure App Configuration can also securely store and retrieve secrets by using Key Vault references. Recognizing that both services can be used for this purpose is key.
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 Key Vault
Azure Key Vault is a dedicated cloud service for securely storing and accessing secrets like API keys, connection strings, and certificates. It provides hardware security module (HSM)-backed encryption, access control via Azure RBAC and access policies, and integrates with Azure services and applications through REST APIs and SDKs. Azure App Configuration can also be used to securely retrieve secrets. While it primarily stores application settings and feature flags, it supports referencing secrets stored in Azure Key Vault. This allows applications to retrieve secrets securely through App Configuration, leveraging Key Vault's robust security features without directly accessing Key Vault.
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 Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Database, not secrets store.
- ✓
Azure Key Vault
Why this is correct
Dedicated secrets management service.
- ✗
Azure Blob Storage
Why it's wrong here
Not designed for secrets.
- ✓
Azure App Configuration
Why this is correct
Can reference Key Vault secrets.
- ✗
Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Relational database.
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
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Azure Functions Development
Key term
Azure App Configuration
Azure App Configuration is a managed Azure service that stores and manages application settings and feature flags separately from your code, allowing you to update them without redeploying or restarting your application.
Key term
Key Vault Secrets
Key Vault Secrets are secure containers in Microsoft Azure that store sensitive information like passwords, connection strings, and API keys, keeping them encrypted and accessible only to authorized applications and users.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-204 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 AZ-204 exam.