The answer is to use a stored access policy on the container and reference it in the SAS token. This works because a stored access policy acts as a centralized permissions layer: when a SAS token is created with a reference to that policy, the token’s validity is tied to the policy’s current state. By deleting or modifying the policy’s permissions or expiry time, you instantly revoke all SAS tokens that reference it, regardless of their original expiry. On the AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of SAS revocation mechanisms—a common trap is assuming you can revoke a SAS by deleting the token itself, which is impossible since tokens are client-held strings. The key distinction is that only a stored access policy enables immediate, bulk revocation without waiting for individual token expiry. Memory tip: think of the policy as a master switch—flip it off, and every SAS token wired to it goes dark.
AZ-500 Secure compute, storage, and databases Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure compute, storage, and databases. 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 company generates shared access signature (SAS) tokens to grant time-limited access to blobs in an Azure Storage container. A security administrator needs the ability to immediately revoke all active SAS tokens for that container if a token is compromised. What should they use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Use a stored access policy on the container and reference it in the SAS token.
Revoking the stored access policy immediately invalidates all SAS tokens that reference it.
B
Use a user delegation key to create the SAS token.
Why wrong: User delegation keys provide delegation but do not support centralized revocation.
C
Use an account-level SAS token.
Why wrong: Account-level SAS tokens apply to all services in the storage account; revocation requires regenerating the account key, affecting other applications.
D
Use a service-level SAS token with IP address restrictions.
Why wrong: IP restrictions limit the source, but the token cannot be centrally revoked.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a stored access policy on the container and reference it in the SAS token.
A stored access policy on the container provides a centralized way to manage permissions for shared access signatures (SAS). By associating the SAS token with the policy, you can immediately revoke all tokens that reference that policy by simply deleting or modifying the policy's permissions or expiry time. This is the only method that allows instant revocation of multiple SAS tokens without waiting for their individual expiry.
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.
✓
Use a stored access policy on the container and reference it in the SAS token.
Why this is correct
Revoking the stored access policy immediately invalidates all SAS tokens that reference it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a user delegation key to create the SAS token.
Why it's wrong here
User delegation keys provide delegation but do not support centralized revocation.
✗
Use an account-level SAS token.
Why it's wrong here
Account-level SAS tokens apply to all services in the storage account; revocation requires regenerating the account key, affecting other applications.
✗
Use a service-level SAS token with IP address restrictions.
Why it's wrong here
IP restrictions limit the source, but the token cannot be centrally revoked.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume that regenerating storage account keys (which invalidates account-level SAS tokens) is the fastest way to revoke access, but that approach is overly broad and disruptive, whereas a stored access policy provides granular, immediate revocation for a specific container without affecting other resources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A stored access policy is defined on a container, queue, table, or share and consists of a policy identifier, start time, expiry time, and permissions. When a SAS token is created with a reference to this policy (via the `signedidentifier` parameter), the token inherits the policy's constraints. To revoke all such tokens, you can either delete the policy or set its expiry time to a past date; the Azure Storage service checks the policy on each request, so the revocation takes effect immediately. This mechanism is defined in the Azure Storage REST API and is critical for scenarios like a compromised token where rapid containment is needed.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-500 question in full detail.
Secure compute, storage, and databases — This question tests Secure compute, storage, and databases — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a stored access policy on the container and reference it in the SAS token. — A stored access policy on the container provides a centralized way to manage permissions for shared access signatures (SAS). By associating the SAS token with the policy, you can immediately revoke all tokens that reference that policy by simply deleting or modifying the policy's permissions or expiry time. This is the only method that allows instant revocation of multiple SAS tokens without waiting for their individual expiry.
What should I do if I get this AZ-500 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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