Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Backup with geo-redundant storage. This is the correct choice because Azure Backup provides native, automated backup capabilities for Azure SQL Managed Instance, and when configured with geo-redundant storage (GRS), it replicates backup data to a paired region, enabling geo-restore for disaster recovery without manual intervention. On the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between backup services and replication technologies—a common trap is confusing active geo-replication, which is for continuous data synchronization and read-scale, with backup, which is for point-in-time recovery and long-term retention. Remember that Azure Backup handles backup lifecycle and retention policies, while Azure Site Recovery is for VM-level replication and Azure Storage replication applies only to storage account data, not SQL databases. A helpful memory tip: think of "Backup for the past, Replication for the present"—geo-restore recovers from a backup copy, not a live replica.
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 need to backup Azure SQL Managed Instance databases to a separate region for disaster recovery. Which Azure service should you use?
Active geo-replication
Why wrong: Geo-replication is for real-time replication, not backup.
Geo-redundant storage (GRS) for Azure Storage
Why wrong: GRS is for storage accounts, not SQL.
Azure Site Recovery
Why wrong: Site Recovery is for VM and physical server replication.
Azure Backup with geo-redundant storage
Azure Backup provides geo-restore capability.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Backup with geo-redundant storage
Option B is correct because Azure Backup supports long-term retention and geo-restore for SQL Managed Instance. Option A is wrong because active geo-replication is for continuous replication, not backup. Option C is wrong because Azure Site Recovery is for VM replication. Option D is wrong because Azure Storage replication is for storage accounts, not 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.
Active geo-replication
Why it's wrong here
Geo-replication is for real-time replication, not backup.
Geo-redundant storage (GRS) for Azure Storage
Why it's wrong here
GRS is for storage accounts, not SQL.
Azure Site Recovery
Why it's wrong here
Site Recovery is for VM and physical server replication.
Azure Backup with geo-redundant storage
Why this is correct
Azure Backup provides geo-restore capability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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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: Azure Backup with geo-redundant storage — Option B is correct because Azure Backup supports long-term retention and geo-restore for SQL Managed Instance. Option A is wrong because active geo-replication is for continuous replication, not backup. Option C is wrong because Azure Site Recovery is for VM replication. Option D is wrong because Azure Storage replication is for storage accounts, not 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.
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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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