The correct answer is to set the 'Minimum TLS version' on the Azure SQL Server to 1.2. This configuration directly enforces that any client connection using TLS 1.0 or 1.1 is rejected, because Azure SQL Server evaluates the TLS version during the handshake and blocks connections that fall below the specified minimum. On the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure SQL Database security settings, specifically how to enforce encryption standards at the server level rather than relying on client-side configurations. A common trap is confusing this with firewall rules or network security groups, which control access but not encryption protocols. Remember the key distinction: the Minimum TLS version setting is a server-level property that acts as a gatekeeper for cryptographic compliance. Memory tip: think of it as a "TLS bouncer" — set the minimum version, and anything older gets turned away at the door.
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.
A company uses Azure SQL Database for a critical application. Security policy requires that all client connections use at least TLS 1.2 encryption and that connections not meeting this requirement are rejected. Which configuration should they implement on the Azure SQL Server?
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
✓
Set the 'Minimum TLS version' on the SQL server
Option C is correct because Azure SQL Server allows you to enforce a minimum TLS version for all client connections. By setting the 'Minimum TLS version' to 1.2, the server will reject any connection attempt using TLS 1.0 or 1.1, ensuring compliance with the security policy that requires at least TLS 1.2 encryption.
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.
✗
Configure firewall rules to allow only trusted IP addresses
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules control which IP addresses can connect, but do not enforce encryption or TLS version.
✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Why it's wrong here
TDE encrypts the database files at rest, not the network connection between client and server.
✓
Set the 'Minimum TLS version' on the SQL server
Why this is correct
This setting enforces that all connections use at least TLS 1.2. Connections using older versions are rejected, meeting the security requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)
Why it's wrong here
ATP detects and alerts on suspicious database activities (e.g., SQL injection) but does not enforce TLS version requirements.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse encryption in transit (TLS) with encryption at rest (TDE) or network access controls (firewall rules), leading them to select options that address different security layers rather than the specific requirement to enforce a minimum TLS version.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'Minimum TLS version' setting is configured at the Azure SQL Server logical server level and applies to all databases hosted on that server. When set to 1.2, the server negotiates only TLS 1.2 or higher during the handshake, and connections attempting lower versions receive a handshake failure. This setting is enforced server-side and overrides any client-side configuration, ensuring consistent security even if clients are misconfigured.
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 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.
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: Set the 'Minimum TLS version' on the SQL server — Option C is correct because Azure SQL Server allows you to enforce a minimum TLS version for all client connections. By setting the 'Minimum TLS version' to 1.2, the server will reject any connection attempt using TLS 1.0 or 1.1, ensuring compliance with the security policy that requires at least TLS 1.2 encryption.
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: "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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. 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?
medium
✓ A.Configure the minimum TLS version in the SQL server's settings.
B.Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE).
C.Update the server firewall rules to allow only specific IP addresses.
D.Implement Always Encrypted for all sensitive columns.
Why A: 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.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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.