- A
Update the storage account's encryption scope to use the new key version and then call the 'Rewrite' operation on each blob.
Why wrong: There is no 'Rewrite' operation; you must re-upload blobs.
- B
Set the storage account encryption to use a different key, then revert to the original key to force re-encryption.
Why wrong: Changing the key does not trigger re-encryption of existing blobs.
- C
No action is needed; Azure Storage automatically re-encrypts existing blobs with the new key after rotation.
Why wrong: Azure Storage does not automatically re-encrypt existing blobs after key rotation.
- D
Re-upload the existing blobs using the new key version by calling the Put Blob operation with the new encryption key.
Re-uploading blobs with the new key ensures they are encrypted with the latest key.
Quick Answer
The answer is to re-upload the existing blobs using the new key version by calling the Put Blob operation. This is correct because Azure Blob Storage does not automatically re-encrypt existing blobs after customer-managed key rotation; the new key version only applies to newly written data. Re-uploading forces the storage service to rewrite the blob data, which triggers re-encryption with the latest key from Azure Key Vault, ensuring all blobs are encrypted with the rotated key. On the AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that key rotation alone is insufficient for existing blobs—a common trap is assuming automatic re-encryption occurs or that updating the storage account encryption settings will retroactively apply. Remember the memory tip: "Rewrite to re-encrypt"—if you want old blobs to use the new key, you must explicitly rewrite them via Put Blob or a similar operation.
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. 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 are the security administrator for a company that uses Azure Blob Storage to store sensitive documents. You need to ensure that all blob data is encrypted at rest using customer-managed keys (CMK) stored in Azure Key Vault. You have enabled encryption with CMK on the storage account. However, after a key rotation in Key Vault, you notice that newly uploaded blobs are encrypted with the new key, but existing blobs are still encrypted with the old key. You need to ensure that all blobs are re-encrypted with the new key. What should you do?
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
Re-upload the existing blobs using the new key version by calling the Put Blob operation with the new encryption key.
Option C is correct: Re-uploading blobs using the new key triggers re-encryption with the latest key version. Option A: Azure Storage automatically rewrites blobs on read/write only if the blob is accessed; re-uploading ensures all blobs are re-encrypted. Option B: Key rotation does not automatically re-encrypt existing blobs; you must explicitly re-encrypt by rewriting. Option D: The storage account encryption setting applies to new blobs only; existing blobs retain the old key until rewritten.
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.
- ✗
Update the storage account's encryption scope to use the new key version and then call the 'Rewrite' operation on each blob.
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'Rewrite' operation; you must re-upload blobs.
- ✗
Set the storage account encryption to use a different key, then revert to the original key to force re-encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the key does not trigger re-encryption of existing blobs.
- ✗
No action is needed; Azure Storage automatically re-encrypts existing blobs with the new key after rotation.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Storage does not automatically re-encrypt existing blobs after key rotation.
- ✓
Re-upload the existing blobs using the new key version by calling the Put Blob operation with the new encryption key.
Why this is correct
Re-uploading blobs with the new key ensures they are encrypted with the latest key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Secure compute, storage, and databases — study guide chapter
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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Re-upload the existing blobs using the new key version by calling the Put Blob operation with the new encryption key. — Option C is correct: Re-uploading blobs using the new key triggers re-encryption with the latest key version. Option A: Azure Storage automatically rewrites blobs on read/write only if the blob is accessed; re-uploading ensures all blobs are re-encrypted. Option B: Key rotation does not automatically re-encrypt existing blobs; you must explicitly re-encrypt by rewriting. Option D: The storage account encryption setting applies to new blobs only; existing blobs retain the old key until rewritten.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 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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