Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage, specifically configured with a WORM (Write Once, Read Many) policy. This is the correct choice because it enforces time-based retention policies and legal holds that prevent any modification or deletion of patient records, directly addressing the healthcare organization’s need for immutable and auditable storage under compliance frameworks like HIPAA. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your ability to map regulatory requirements to specific Azure data services, often appearing as a distractor against options like Azure Files or Archive Storage, which lack native immutability controls. A common trap is assuming that Azure Backup or a simple blob container with access policies suffices, but only immutable storage guarantees data cannot be altered or erased during the retention period. Memory tip: think “WORM for WORM-like compliance”—the acronym itself reminds you that data is written once and never changed, just like a worm burrows in one direction.
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design data storage solutions. 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.
A healthcare organization needs to store patient records that must be immutable and auditable for compliance purposes. The records should be stored in a cost-effective manner with the ability to set retention policies. Which Azure storage solution should they implement?
Azure NetApp Files
Why wrong: Azure NetApp Files is for high-performance file workloads, not immutable storage.
Azure SQL Database
Why wrong: Azure SQL Database allows modifications, not immutable storage.
Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage
Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage (WORM) provides immutable and auditable records.
Azure Files
Why wrong: Azure Files does not support immutable storage.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage
Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage (WORM policy) is the correct solution because it provides time-based retention policies and legal hold capabilities that make data non-erasable and non-modifiable, meeting compliance requirements for patient records. It is cost-effective for large volumes of data and integrates with Azure Policy for audit logging, making it ideal for healthcare compliance scenarios like HIPAA.
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.
Azure NetApp Files
Why it's wrong here
Azure NetApp Files is for high-performance file workloads, not immutable storage.
Azure SQL Database
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database allows modifications, not immutable storage.
Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage
Why this is correct
Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage (WORM) provides immutable and auditable records.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Files
Why it's wrong here
Azure Files does not support immutable storage.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Files or Azure NetApp Files with immutable storage because they support snapshots, but snapshots can be deleted or overwritten, whereas Blob Storage immutable policies enforce true WORM compliance that cannot be bypassed.
Detailed technical explanation
Azure Blob Storage immutable storage uses a time-based retention policy that locks blobs for a specified interval, preventing deletion or overwriting even by the storage account owner. Under the hood, this is enforced at the storage service level via a policy that is applied to a container or a version-level policy, and once locked, the retention period cannot be shortened. In a real-world scenario, a healthcare organization can set a 7-year retention policy for patient records and enable audit logs to track all access attempts, ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA or GDPR.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
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FAQ
Design data storage solutions — This question tests Design data storage solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage — Azure Blob Storage with immutable storage (WORM policy) is the correct solution because it provides time-based retention policies and legal hold capabilities that make data non-erasable and non-modifiable, meeting compliance requirements for patient records. It is cost-effective for large volumes of data and integrates with Azure Policy for audit logging, making it ideal for healthcare compliance scenarios like HIPAA.
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 24, 2026
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