The correct answer is to configure the copy activity to use TLS and enable Azure Storage Service Encryption. This combination directly addresses the dual requirement for Azure Data Factory encryption in transit and at rest because TLS secures the data channel between the on-premises SQL Server and Azure Blob Storage, while Storage Service Encryption (SSE) automatically encrypts the data at rest using 256-bit AES encryption once it lands in the blob container. On the Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that Data Factory handles transit security via the copy activity’s protocol settings, not through separate VPNs or gateways, and that at-rest encryption is a storage-layer feature, not a Data Factory configuration. A common trap is assuming you need to enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) on the source SQL Server or manually manage encryption keys, but SSE is automatic and sufficient for Azure Storage. Memory tip: Think “TLS for travel, SSE for storage” to quickly recall which service handles each encryption layer.
DP-203 Design and implement data security Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data security. 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.
A company uses Azure Data Factory to copy sensitive data from on-premises SQL Server to Azure Blob Storage. They must ensure that data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Which combination of features should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the copy activity to use TLS and enable Azure Storage Service Encryption.
Option C is correct because Azure Data Factory's copy activity uses TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data in transit between the on-premises SQL Server and Azure Blob Storage, and Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) automatically encrypts data at rest using 256-bit AES encryption. This combination satisfies both encryption requirements without additional complexity.
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.
✗
Use Always Encrypted in SQL Server and customer-managed keys in Blob Storage.
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted encrypts columns but not the entire data flow.
✗
Set up a VPN between on-premises and Azure, and use Azure Disk Encryption.
Why it's wrong here
VPN encrypts the connection but not data at rest; Disk Encryption is for VMs.
✓
Configure the copy activity to use TLS and enable Azure Storage Service Encryption.
Why this is correct
TLS encrypts data in transit; Storage Service Encryption encrypts at rest automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use HTTPS for the copy activity and enable Azure Storage Service Encryption.
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS is not sufficient; TLS is required for in-transit encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse HTTPS with TLS, thinking HTTPS is the encryption mechanism for Data Factory copy activities, when in fact TLS is the underlying protocol used by the self-hosted integration runtime for secure data transfer.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Data Factory uses TLS 1.2 by default for encrypting data in transit during copy activities, leveraging the self-hosted integration runtime's secure channel to Azure Blob Storage. Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) uses 256-bit AES encryption and is enabled by default for all new storage accounts, ensuring data at rest is encrypted without any application-level changes. In a real-world scenario, if the on-premises SQL Server uses a self-signed certificate, the copy activity may fail unless the certificate is trusted, highlighting the importance of proper TLS configuration.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
Design and implement data security — This question tests Design and implement data security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the copy activity to use TLS and enable Azure Storage Service Encryption. — Option C is correct because Azure Data Factory's copy activity uses TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data in transit between the on-premises SQL Server and Azure Blob Storage, and Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE) automatically encrypts data at rest using 256-bit AES encryption. This combination satisfies both encryption requirements without additional complexity.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company is using Azure Data Factory to copy data from an on-premises SQL Server to Azure Blob Storage. The data must be encrypted in transit using TLS 1.2. The on-premises SQL Server is configured to support TLS 1.2. Which Data Factory property should be configured?
hard
A.The encryptedCredential property in the linked service
✓ B.The typeProperties property in the linked service to include 'Encrypt=True' in the connection string
C.The connectVia property in the linked service
D.The integrationRuntime property in the dataset
Why B: Option B is correct because TLS 1.2 encryption for data in transit between Azure Data Factory and an on-premises SQL Server is enforced by adding 'Encrypt=True' and 'TrustServerCertificate=False' to the connection string within the typeProperties of the linked service. This ensures the SQL Server Native Client uses TLS 1.2 for the connection, aligning with the requirement.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
This DP-203 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 DP-203 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.