The correct answer is to configure the Cosmos DB account to use a customer-managed key from Azure Key Vault and assign the appropriate RBAC role. This is because Azure Cosmos DB supports customer-managed key (CMK) encryption at rest through direct integration with Azure Key Vault, where you must grant the Cosmos DB managed identity the "Key Vault Crypto Service Encryption User" role to access the key. On the AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of data encryption controls for PaaS services, often appearing as a distractor alongside Always Encrypted (SQL Server), Azure Disk Encryption (VMs), or TDE (Azure SQL Database). A common trap is confusing these service-specific encryption methods, so remember that Cosmos DB CMK requires both the key configuration in the encryption blade and the RBAC assignment on the Key Vault. Memory tip: "Cosmos CMK = Key Vault key + RBAC role" — think of it as a two-step handshake between the database and the vault.
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. 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.
You have an Azure Cosmos DB account with multiple containers. You need to ensure that data is encrypted at rest using a customer-managed key stored in Azure Key Vault. Which steps should you take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the Cosmos DB account to use a customer-managed key from Key Vault and assign the appropriate RBAC role.
Option C is correct because Cosmos DB supports customer-managed keys (CMK) through integration with Azure Key Vault. You must configure the key in the Cosmos DB encryption settings and grant the Cosmos DB managed identity access to the Key Vault. Option A is wrong because Always Encrypted is for SQL Server. Option B is wrong because Azure Disk Encryption is for VMs. Option D is wrong because TDE is for Azure SQL Database.
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 Azure Disk Encryption on the VMs hosting Cosmos DB.
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB is a PaaS service; you don't manage VMs.
✓
Configure the Cosmos DB account to use a customer-managed key from Key Vault and assign the appropriate RBAC role.
Why this is correct
This enables CMK for Cosmos DB.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and bring your own key (BYOK) from Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
TDE is for SQL databases, not Cosmos DB.
✗
Enable Always Encrypted on the Cosmos DB account and reference the key from Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted is not available in Cosmos DB.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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: Configure the Cosmos DB account to use a customer-managed key from Key Vault and assign the appropriate RBAC role. — Option C is correct because Cosmos DB supports customer-managed keys (CMK) through integration with Azure Key Vault. You must configure the key in the Cosmos DB encryption settings and grant the Cosmos DB managed identity access to the Key Vault. Option A is wrong because Always Encrypted is for SQL Server. Option B is wrong because Azure Disk Encryption is for VMs. Option D is wrong because TDE is for Azure SQL Database.
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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