The answer is to omit the key version when configuring a customer-managed key (CMK) for Azure Managed Disks. Specifying a key version locks the disk to that specific version, which prevents Azure from automatically rotating the key when a new version is enabled in Key Vault, causing the deployment to fail. This concept is frequently tested on the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, often through ARM template snippets where a candidate must spot the version parameter as the trap. The exam emphasizes that for managed disks, unlike some other Azure services, you must leave the key version blank to support seamless rotation. A common memory tip is to think of managed disks as “versionless” for CMK—if you see a version, remove it to keep rotation automatic.
AZ-500 Secure compute, storage, and databases Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure compute, storage, and databases. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing the ARM template snippet for a managed disk. You need to ensure the disk uses a customer-managed key (CMK) from Azure Key Vault. However, you notice the deployment fails because the key version is specified. What is the likely issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The keyversion should be omitted to allow automatic rotation.
Option C is correct. When using CMK for managed disks, you should omit the key version to allow automatic key rotation. Specifying a version locks the key and causes rotation to break. Option A is wrong because the key vault URI is correct. Option B is wrong because the key name is correct. Option D is wrong because the key source is correct.
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.
✓
The keyversion should be omitted to allow automatic rotation.
Why this is correct
Omitting keyversion enables automatic rotation; specifying a version prevents it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The keySource should be 'Microsoft.Storage' instead.
Why it's wrong here
KeySource 'Microsoft.Keyvault' is correct for CMK.
✗
The keyvaulturi is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The key vault URI appears correct.
✗
The keyname is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The key name is correctly specified.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Identify which AZ-500 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: The keyversion should be omitted to allow automatic rotation. — Option C is correct. When using CMK for managed disks, you should omit the key version to allow automatic key rotation. Specifying a version locks the key and causes rotation to break. Option A is wrong because the key vault URI is correct. Option B is wrong because the key name is correct. Option D is wrong because the key source is correct.
What should I do if I get this AZ-500 question wrong?
Identify which AZ-500 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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