The answer is Microsoft Purview Data Map with scanning and labeling. This configuration is correct because it natively integrates with Azure SQL Database to automatically scan for sensitive data types like credit card numbers or social security numbers, then applies sensitivity labels defined in Microsoft Purview Information Protection directly to the database columns. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Purview’s data governance capabilities extend beyond cataloging to enforce automated classification and labeling at rest, a common requirement for compliance workloads. A frequent trap is confusing this with Azure SQL’s built-in data discovery, which lacks the automated labeling propagation from Purview’s central policy. Remember the mnemonic “Scan to Stamp”—Purview scans the data map, then stamps labels onto the SQL schema.
AZ-305 Practice Question: Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 organization uses Microsoft Purview for data governance. You need to classify sensitive data in Azure SQL Database and automatically apply sensitivity labels. What should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Microsoft Purview Data Map with scanning and labeling
Microsoft Purview Data Map with scanning and labeling is the correct solution because it integrates with Azure SQL Database to automatically scan for sensitive data types (e.g., credit card numbers, social security numbers) and apply sensitivity labels defined in Microsoft Purview Information Protection. This native integration uses the Purview scanning infrastructure to classify data at rest and propagate labels directly to the SQL database, meeting the requirement for automated classification and labeling.
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.
✗
Azure Information Protection scanner
Why it's wrong here
AIP scanner is for on-premises file shares and SharePoint, not Azure SQL Database.
✓
Microsoft Purview Data Map with scanning and labeling
Why this is correct
Purview Data Map can scan Azure SQL Database and apply sensitivity labels automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Microsoft Sentinel with a workbook
Why it's wrong here
Sentinel is a SIEM, not a data classification tool.
✗
Azure Policy with built-in SQL classification policy
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy can audit SQL classification but does not automatically apply labels.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Azure Policy's 'SQL classification' built-in initiative (which only audits or enforces the presence of classification) with the actual scanning and labeling capability, leading them to choose Option D instead of recognizing that Purview Data Map is the service that performs the automated classification work.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Microsoft Purview Data Map uses a managed runtime to connect to Azure SQL Database via the TDS protocol, executing system catalog queries and data sampling to detect sensitive patterns using built-in classification rules (e.g., regex patterns for PII). Once classified, it maps to sensitivity labels via the Microsoft Information Protection SDK, which writes the labels into the database's extended properties (sys.extended_properties), enabling downstream tools like Azure SQL Auditing or Microsoft Defender for Cloud to consume them. A subtle behavior is that Purview can also classify data in columns that are encrypted with Always Encrypted, but only if the column is not encrypted at rest with a deterministic encryption type that prevents pattern matching.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — This question tests Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Microsoft Purview Data Map with scanning and labeling — Microsoft Purview Data Map with scanning and labeling is the correct solution because it integrates with Azure SQL Database to automatically scan for sensitive data types (e.g., credit card numbers, social security numbers) and apply sensitivity labels defined in Microsoft Purview Information Protection. This native integration uses the Purview scanning infrastructure to classify data at rest and propagate labels directly to the SQL database, meeting the requirement for automated classification and labeling.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 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.
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Question Discussion
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