Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Your company uses Azure API Management (APIM) to expose several APIs. One of the backend APIs requires an API key that is stored in Azure Key Vault. You need to configure APIM to retrieve the API key from Key Vault and pass it to the backend in a header without exposing the key in policy definitions. Which APIM feature should you use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Use a policy expression with the context.Variables to store the key.
Context variables are used to store values within the scope of a policy, but they cannot directly retrieve secrets from Key Vault. The key value would still need to be obtained from somewhere.
B
Distractor review
Store the API key directly in the backend settings of the API.
Storing keys directly in backend settings exposes them in plaintext in the configuration and is not secure.
C
Best answer
Use a named value that references the Key Vault secret, and reference that named value in a set-header policy.
Correct. Named values in APIM can be linked to Key Vault secrets. The policy will automatically retrieve the secret value and use it in the header without exposing the secret.
D
Distractor review
Use the authentication-managed-identity policy to authenticate to Key Vault and retrieve the secret.
APIM does not have a built-in policy to directly authenticate to Key Vault and retrieve secrets. Instead, named values handle that integration automatically.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Related practice questions
Related AZ-204 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
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Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-204 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a named value that references the Key Vault secret, and reference that named value in a set-header policy. — Azure API Management supports named values that can reference secrets in Key Vault. By creating a named value that points to a Key Vault secret, you can use it in policies without hardcoding the secret. The named value is retrieved securely at runtime.
What should I do if I get this AZ-204 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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