This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure compute, storage, and databases. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 have an Azure SQL Database that stores credit card numbers. You need to encrypt the column containing the credit card numbers so that only authorized applications can decrypt the data. The database administrator should not be able to view the plaintext data. Which feature should you use?
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Why wrong: TDE encrypts at rest but DBA can query data.
Column-level encryption using SQL Server built-in functions
Why wrong: DBA can access keys and decrypt.
Dynamic Data Masking
Why wrong: Masking does not encrypt; DBA can select unmasked data.
Always Encrypted with secure enclaves
Keys are stored client-side; DBA cannot decrypt.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Always Encrypted with secure enclaves
Option D is correct because Always Encrypted with secure enclaves allows client-side encryption, and the database administrator cannot access the plaintext keys. Option A is wrong because Dynamic Data Masking only masks data at query time; the DBA can still access the underlying data. Option B is wrong because TDE encrypts at rest but the DBA can still query the data. Option C is wrong because column-level encryption in SQL Server is server-side and the DBA has access to keys.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Why it's wrong here
TDE encrypts at rest but DBA can query data.
Column-level encryption using SQL Server built-in functions
Why it's wrong here
DBA can access keys and decrypt.
Dynamic Data Masking
Why it's wrong here
Masking does not encrypt; DBA can select unmasked data.
Always Encrypted with secure enclaves
Why this is correct
Keys are stored client-side; DBA cannot decrypt.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Common exam traps
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related AZ-500 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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 — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Always Encrypted with secure enclaves — Option D is correct because Always Encrypted with secure enclaves allows client-side encryption, and the database administrator cannot access the plaintext keys. Option A is wrong because Dynamic Data Masking only masks data at query time; the DBA can still access the underlying data. Option B is wrong because TDE encrypts at rest but the DBA can still query the data. Option C is wrong because column-level encryption in SQL Server is server-side and the DBA has access to keys.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related AZ-500 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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 →
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.