The correct answer is that you must configure a disk encryption set (DES) with a customer-managed key from a Key Vault in the same region as the disks, because Azure Disk Encryption with customer-managed keys enforces a strict regional constraint—the Key Vault hosting the CMK must reside in the exact same Azure region as the managed disks being encrypted. This requirement stems from how Azure’s server-side encryption architecture binds the key material to the storage cluster’s regional boundary for performance and compliance reasons; cross-region key access is not supported for CMK encryption at rest. On the AZ-500 exam, this concept frequently appears as a trap where candidates mistakenly assume Key Vaults can be in any region, testing your understanding that while Azure Key Vault itself is a regional service, the disk encryption set’s dependency on same-region keys is non-negotiable. A common memory tip is “disks and keys, same skies”—if your disks live in East US, your Key Vault with the CMK must also be in East US, no exceptions.
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 deploying a multi-tier application on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The application uses Azure Disks for persistent storage. You need to ensure that the disks are encrypted at rest using a customer-managed key stored in a Key Vault in a different region. What should you do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure disk encryption set (DES) with a customer-managed key from a Key Vault in the same region as the disks.
Azure Disk Encryption with customer-managed keys requires the Key Vault to be in the same region as the disks. Option D is correct. Server-side encryption with PMK does not use customer keys. CMK must be in the same region. Azure Disk Encryption (ADE) with Key Vault also requires same region.
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.
✗
Enable Azure Disk Encryption (ADE) using Azure Key Vault in the same region as AKS.
Why it's wrong here
ADE also requires same region.
✗
Use server-side encryption (SSE) with platform-managed keys.
Why it's wrong here
PMK does not involve customer-managed keys.
✗
Use Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) with customer-managed keys from the remote Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
CMK for disks must be in the same region, not remote.
✓
Configure disk encryption set (DES) with a customer-managed key from a Key Vault in the same region as the disks.
Why this is correct
DES requires same region; cross-region CMK is not supported for disks.
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.
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 disk encryption set (DES) with a customer-managed key from a Key Vault in the same region as the disks. — Azure Disk Encryption with customer-managed keys requires the Key Vault to be in the same region as the disks. Option D is correct. Server-side encryption with PMK does not use customer keys. CMK must be in the same region. Azure Disk Encryption (ADE) with Key Vault also requires same region.
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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