Quick Answer
The answer is to enable encryption at host on the VM. This is correct because encryption at host encrypts all data flowing through the Azure host server, including the temporary disk (D: drive), using platform-managed keys by default, whereas Azure Disk Encryption only covers OS and data disks and explicitly leaves the temporary disk unencrypted. On the AZ-500 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between Azure Disk Encryption and encryption at host, with a common trap being to select Azure Disk Encryption because it sounds like the obvious choice for “encryption at rest.” Remember that the temporary disk is ephemeral and not part of the managed disk set, so only encryption at host—which operates at the hypervisor level—can secure it with platform-managed keys. Memory tip: “Host encrypts the host’s cache and temp; Disk Encryption skips the D: drive.”
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 virtual machine that will host a legacy application. The application writes temporary files to the local disk. You must ensure that any data written to the temporary disk is encrypted at rest with a platform-managed key. What should you do?
Enable encryption at host on the VM
Encrypts temporary disk with platform-managed key.
Enable Azure Disk Encryption on the VM
Why wrong: Does not encrypt temporary disk.
Configure storage service encryption on the managed disk
Why wrong: Applies to managed disks, not temporary disk.
Use Always Encrypted with secure enclaves
Why wrong: For SQL Server, not VM temporary disk.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable encryption at host on the VM
Option A is correct because Azure Disk Encryption encrypts OS and data disks, but the temporary disk (D: drive) is not encrypted by default. EncryptingHostVmWithCustomerManagedKey is a VM feature that encrypts the temporary disk with a customer-managed key. However, the question specifies a platform-managed key. Actually, the correct answer is to use a VM with encryption at host enabled, which uses platform-managed keys by default. Option A (Azure Disk Encryption) does not encrypt temporary disk. Option B (encryption at host) encrypts temporary disk with PMK. Option C is for storage account. Option D is for SQL.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Enable encryption at host on the VM
Why this is correct
Encrypts temporary disk with platform-managed key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Enable Azure Disk Encryption on the VM
Why it's wrong here
Does not encrypt temporary disk.
Configure storage service encryption on the managed disk
Why it's wrong here
Applies to managed disks, not temporary disk.
Use Always Encrypted with secure enclaves
Why it's wrong here
For SQL Server, not VM temporary disk.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Secure compute, storage, and databases practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All AZ-500 questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
AZ-500 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to Secure identity and access.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to Secure compute, storage, and databases.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to Secure Azure using Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to Manage identity and access.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to Secure networking.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to AZ-500 fundamentals.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to AZ-500 scenario.
Practise AZ-500 questions linked to AZ-500 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Secure compute, storage, and databases — This question tests Secure compute, storage, and databases — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Enable encryption at host on the VM — Option A is correct because Azure Disk Encryption encrypts OS and data disks, but the temporary disk (D: drive) is not encrypted by default. EncryptingHostVmWithCustomerManagedKey is a VM feature that encrypts the temporary disk with a customer-managed key. However, the question specifies a platform-managed key. Actually, the correct answer is to use a VM with encryption at host enabled, which uses platform-managed keys by default. Option A (Azure Disk Encryption) does not encrypt temporary disk. Option B (encryption at host) encrypts temporary disk with PMK. Option C is for storage account. Option D is for SQL.
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.
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 →
Keep practising
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.
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.