AZ-500 Secure compute, storage, and databases Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure compute, storage, and databases. 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. A key principle to apply: azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version.. 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 uses Azure SQL Database for a critical application. Security policy requires that all client connections to the database use at least TLS 1.2 encryption. What configuration change must be made to enforce this requirement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the minimum TLS version in the SQL server's settings.
To enforce that all client connections to Azure SQL Database use at least TLS 1.2, you must configure the minimum TLS version at the SQL server level. This setting overrides the default behavior, which allows older, less secure TLS versions, and ensures that any connection attempt using TLS 1.0 or 1.1 is rejected. The configuration is made in the Azure portal under the SQL server's 'Connectivity' settings or via the 'Minimal TLS Version' property in ARM templates or PowerShell.
Key principle: Azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Configure the minimum TLS version in the SQL server's settings.
Why this is correct
The minimum TLS version setting directly controls which TLS versions are accepted for client connections. Setting it to 1.2 enforces the policy.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version.
✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE).
Why it's wrong here
TDE encrypts the database files at rest, not the network traffic between client and server.
✗
Update the server firewall rules to allow only specific IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules restrict which IP addresses can connect, but they do not enforce encryption protocol requirements.
✗
Implement Always Encrypted for all sensitive columns.
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted protects data at the column level but does not enforce the minimum TLS version for the connection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse encryption at rest (TDE) or column-level encryption (Always Encrypted) with encryption in transit, leading them to select options that do not enforce the TLS protocol version.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The minimum TLS version setting in Azure SQL Database is enforced at the gateway layer, which terminates TLS connections before routing traffic to the database engine. When set to 1.2, the gateway rejects any handshake attempts using TLS 1.0 or 1.1 by sending a fatal alert (protocol_version) before the connection is established. This setting is independent of the database's compatibility level and applies to all databases within the logical server, including elastic pools and managed instances.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version.
This setting enforces the lowest acceptable TLS protocol for client connections.
Connections attempting to use a lower TLS version will be rejected.
It directly secures data in transit between clients and the database.
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 SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-500 question in full detail.
Review azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version., then practise related AZ-500 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Secure compute, storage, and databases — This question tests Secure compute, storage, and databases — Azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the minimum TLS version in the SQL server's settings. — To enforce that all client connections to Azure SQL Database use at least TLS 1.2, you must configure the minimum TLS version at the SQL server level. This setting overrides the default behavior, which allows older, less secure TLS versions, and ensures that any connection attempt using TLS 1.0 or 1.1 is rejected. The configuration is made in the Azure portal under the SQL server's 'Connectivity' settings or via the 'Minimal TLS Version' property in ARM templates or PowerShell.
What should I do if I get this AZ-500 question wrong?
Review azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version., then practise related AZ-500 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Azure SQL Database servers allow configuration of a minimum TLS version.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.