- A
Yes, but the storage account must use a different key vault per region; no other implications.
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the key vault must be in the same region as the storage account, not just different vaults per region.
- B
Yes, but you must enable cross-region replication for the key vault and pay additional costs.
Why wrong: Azure Key Vault offers geo-replication for the vault itself, but this does not enable using a vault from a different region for storage encryption. The storage encryption CMK feature requires the vault to be in the same region.
- C
No, Azure does not support CMK from a different region than the storage account.
This is correct. The key vault and the storage account must reside in the same region for CMK encryption of Azure Storage.
- D
Yes, but you must use a managed identity from the storage account's region to access the key vault.
Why wrong: Managed identity region does not override the requirement; the key vault must be in the same region as the storage account regardless of identity.
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. A key principle to apply: azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region.. 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 stores sensitive data in Azure Blob Storage. They want to enforce encryption at rest using a customer-managed key (CMK) stored in Azure Key Vault. Additionally, they require that the key vault be in a different region than the storage account to protect against regional disasters. Can this be achieved, and if so, what is the implication?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
No, Azure does not support CMK from a different region than the storage account.
Azure Blob Storage encryption with customer-managed keys (CMK) requires the key vault to reside in the same Azure region as the storage account. This is a hard platform constraint because the storage account's encryption service must communicate with the key vault over the regional boundary to wrap/unwrap the data encryption key (DEK) using the customer-managed key (KEK). Cross-region CMK is not supported, making option C the correct answer.
Key principle: Azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Yes, but the storage account must use a different key vault per region; no other implications.
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect because the key vault must be in the same region as the storage account, not just different vaults per region.
- ✗
Yes, but you must enable cross-region replication for the key vault and pay additional costs.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Key Vault offers geo-replication for the vault itself, but this does not enable using a vault from a different region for storage encryption. The storage encryption CMK feature requires the vault to be in the same region.
- ✓
No, Azure does not support CMK from a different region than the storage account.
Why this is correct
This is correct. The key vault and the storage account must reside in the same region for CMK encryption of Azure Storage.
Related concept
Azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region.
- ✗
Yes, but you must use a managed identity from the storage account's region to access the key vault.
Why it's wrong here
Managed identity region does not override the requirement; the key vault must be in the same region as the storage account regardless of identity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Azure's global infrastructure allows cross-region key vault access for CMK, but Azure explicitly restricts CMK to the same region to maintain low-latency encryption operations and avoid cross-region dependency for data at rest.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Azure Storage encryption uses a hierarchy: a Data Encryption Key (DEK) is encrypted by a Key Encryption Key (KEK) stored in Azure Key Vault. The DEK wrapping/unwrapping operation is performed by the Azure Storage service in the same region as the storage account, and it must call the Key Vault endpoint in that same region to avoid latency and dependency on cross-region network paths. This design ensures that the encryption key material never leaves the regional boundary during the operation, which is critical for compliance and performance guarantees.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region.
- This regional constraint ensures low latency for encryption/decryption.
- Azure Key Vault itself offers geo-replication for its own data.
- Managed identity region does not override CMK regional requirements.
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
Azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region., then practise related AZ-500 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-500 question test?
Secure compute, storage, and databases — This question tests Secure compute, storage, and databases — Azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: No, Azure does not support CMK from a different region than the storage account. — Azure Blob Storage encryption with customer-managed keys (CMK) requires the key vault to reside in the same Azure region as the storage account. This is a hard platform constraint because the storage account's encryption service must communicate with the key vault over the regional boundary to wrap/unwrap the data encryption key (DEK) using the customer-managed key (KEK). Cross-region CMK is not supported, making option C the correct answer.
What should I do if I get this AZ-500 question wrong?
Review azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region., then practise related AZ-500 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Azure Storage CMK requires Key Vault in the same region.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-500 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-500 exam.
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