AZ-500 Secure compute, storage, and databases Practice Question
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.
Your organization has an Azure SQL Database that stores credit card numbers. The compliance team requires that credit card numbers be encrypted at rest and that only authorized applications can decrypt the data. The applications access the database using different service principals. You decide to implement Always Encrypted with secure enclaves. You create a column master key (CMK) in Azure Key Vault and a column encryption key (CEK) for the credit card column. You configure the column with deterministic encryption. However, after deployment, the applications report that they cannot insert or query the encrypted column. The error indicates that the column cannot be decrypted. You verify that the applications have the necessary permissions to access the CMK in Key Vault. What is the most likely cause of the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue: "always"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The applications are using an older version of the SQL client driver that does not support Always Encrypted with secure enclaves.
Option D is correct: Applications must use a client driver that supports Always Encrypted with secure enclaves, such as the latest Microsoft.Data.SqlClient or .NET Framework with the enclave type configured. Option A: The CMK does not need to be in the same region. Option B: Both deterministic and randomized encryption can be used with secure enclaves. Option C: Even with permissions, the driver must support the enclave protocol.
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.
✗
The service principals do not have the 'Get' and 'Decrypt' permissions on the CMK in Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
The question states permissions are verified.
✓
The applications are using an older version of the SQL client driver that does not support Always Encrypted with secure enclaves.
Why this is correct
Always Encrypted with enclaves requires a compatible client driver.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Deterministic encryption is not supported with secure enclaves; you must use randomized encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Both deterministic and randomized are supported with enclaves.
✗
The CMK is stored in a Key Vault in a different region than the SQL Database.
Why it's wrong here
Key Vault can be in a different region; the issue is not regional.
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 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.
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: The applications are using an older version of the SQL client driver that does not support Always Encrypted with secure enclaves. — Option D is correct: Applications must use a client driver that supports Always Encrypted with secure enclaves, such as the latest Microsoft.Data.SqlClient or .NET Framework with the enclave type configured. Option A: The CMK does not need to be in the same region. Option B: Both deterministic and randomized encryption can be used with secure enclaves. Option C: Even with permissions, the driver must support the enclave protocol.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "always". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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