The answer is Managed Identity, because it enables Azure App Service to authenticate directly to Key Vault without ever storing credentials in application code or configuration files. Managed Identity works by automatically provisioning a service principal in Azure AD for the App Service, which can then be granted specific permissions via Key Vault access policies to read secrets securely. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of identity-based access control versus credential-based approaches; a common trap is confusing Managed Identity with Azure AD Application Registration, which requires managing client secrets, or with App Service authentication, which handles user sign-ins rather than service-to-service access. Remember that Managed Identity eliminates the need for any stored secrets, making it the only zero-credential solution for this requirement. A helpful memory tip: think “no secret, no problem” — Managed Identity means the app itself becomes the trusted identity, so you never have to handle keys or passwords.
AZ-305 Design infrastructure solutions Practice Question
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design infrastructure 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.
Your company is deploying a web application on Azure App Service. The application must be able to read secrets from Azure Key Vault without storing credentials in application code. Which feature should you enable?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Managed Identity
Option C is correct because Managed Identity allows the App Service to authenticate to Key Vault without storing credentials. Option A is wrong because App Service authentication is for user authentication. Option B is wrong because Azure AD Application Registration requires client secrets. Option D is wrong because Key Vault access policies are authorization, not authentication.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Key Vault access policies
Why it's wrong here
Access policies control who can access Key Vault, not how the app authenticates.
✗
Azure AD Application Registration with client secret
Why it's wrong here
Requires storing a client secret in configuration, which is not recommended.
✓
Managed Identity
Why this is correct
Managed Identity provides an automatically managed identity for the app to authenticate to Key Vault.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
App Service Authentication / Authorization
Why it's wrong here
This is for authenticating users, not the app itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related AZ-305 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Design infrastructure solutions — This question tests Design infrastructure solutions — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Managed Identity — Option C is correct because Managed Identity allows the App Service to authenticate to Key Vault without storing credentials. Option A is wrong because App Service authentication is for user authentication. Option B is wrong because Azure AD Application Registration requires client secrets. Option D is wrong because Key Vault access policies are authorization, not authentication.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related AZ-305 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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