Question 451 of 1,000
Secure compute, storage, and databaseshardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is that this Azure Policy denies storage accounts with the default network action set to Deny. Technically, the policy uses the `"effect": "deny"` to block any storage account where the `networkAcls.defaultAction` property equals `Deny`, meaning it prevents the creation or update of storage accounts that reject all network traffic by default. On the AZ-500 exam, this tests your understanding of how Azure Policy enforces network security controls, specifically requiring storage accounts to have a default action of Allow so that traffic is permitted unless explicitly blocked by a firewall rule. A common trap is confusing this with a policy that denies accounts lacking firewall rules—this one only cares about the default action, not individual IP rules. Memory tip: think "Deny the Deny"—the policy denies any account that has its default action set to Deny, forcing an Allow baseline.

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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
{
  "if": {
    "allOf": [
      {
        "field": "type",
        "equals": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts"
      },
      {
        "field": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/networkAcls.defaultAction",
        "equals": "Deny"
      }
    ]
  },
  "then": {
    "effect": "deny"
  }
}

You are reviewing the above Azure Policy definition. What does this policy do?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
{
  "if": {
    "allOf": [
      {
        "field": "type",
        "equals": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts"
      },
      {
        "field": "Microsoft.Storage/storageAccounts/networkAcls.defaultAction",
        "equals": "Deny"
      }
    ]
  },
  "then": {
    "effect": "deny"
  }
}

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

Denies storage accounts that have the default network action set to Deny

Option D is correct: the policy denies (via `"effect": "deny"`) any storage account that has `networkAcls.defaultAction` set to `Deny`. This means storage accounts that deny all traffic by default are blocked, which effectively requires that storage accounts allow traffic by default (i.e., `defaultAction` must not be `Deny`). Actually, the policy denies a storage account if its defaultAction equals Deny. So it prevents storage accounts from having a deny default action. Option A is opposite. Option B is about encryption, not network. Option C is about firewall rules, not the default action.

Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • Denies storage accounts that have the default network action set to Deny

    Why this is correct

    Matches the condition and effect.

    Related concept

    Standard ACLs match source addresses.

  • Denies storage accounts that do not have encryption enabled

    Why it's wrong here

    Policy checks network ACLs, not encryption.

  • Denies storage accounts that have firewall rules configured

    Why it's wrong here

    Policy checks defaultAction, not presence of rules.

  • Denies storage accounts that allow all network traffic

    Why it's wrong here

    The policy denies when defaultAction is Deny, not Allow.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match

ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • Standard ACLs match source addresses.
  • Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
  • The first matching ACL entry is used.
  • There is usually an implicit deny at the end.

TExam Day Tips

  • Check inbound versus outbound direction.
  • Read the ACL from top to bottom.
  • Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.

Key takeaway

ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.

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.

Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related AZ-500 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.

Related practice questions

Related AZ-500 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

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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 — Standard ACLs match source addresses..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Denies storage accounts that have the default network action set to Deny — Option D is correct: the policy denies (via `"effect": "deny"`) any storage account that has `networkAcls.defaultAction` set to `Deny`. This means storage accounts that deny all traffic by default are blocked, which effectively requires that storage accounts allow traffic by default (i.e., `defaultAction` must not be `Deny`). Actually, the policy denies a storage account if its defaultAction equals Deny. So it prevents storage accounts from having a deny default action. Option A is opposite. Option B is about encryption, not network. Option C is about firewall rules, not the default action.

What should I do if I get this AZ-500 question wrong?

Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related AZ-500 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Standard ACLs match source addresses.

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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026

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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.