Quick Answer
The correct answer is to use Microsoft Purview data classification and labeling alongside Azure Synapse Serverless SQL with dynamic data masking. This combination works because Synapse Serverless SQL can create external tables directly over your ADLS Gen2 storage, applying dynamic data masking at query time to hide sensitive columns like credit card numbers, while Purview scans and classifies those columns to define which data is sensitive and who should see it—all without moving data to another store. On the DP-203 exam, this question tests your understanding of data masking within the lakehouse architecture, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly choose Azure SQL Database or ADLS native masking, which do not exist. The key insight is that ADLS Gen2 itself has no masking capability; you must layer a query engine like Synapse Serverless SQL on top. Memory tip: think of Purview as the “labeler” and Synapse Serverless SQL as the “masker”—together they protect data in place.
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of develop data processing. 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 Lake Storage Gen2 as the data lake. The data engineering team needs to ensure that sensitive data such as credit card numbers are masked when queried by non-admin users. The solution must be implemented within the data lake without moving data to another store. Which TWO features should they use? (Choose two.)
Azure Policy to audit access
Why wrong: Auditing, not masking.
Azure SQL Database dynamic data masking
Why wrong: Does not apply to data lake directly.
Azure Synapse Serverless SQL with dynamic data masking
Can mask data in queries over external tables.
Microsoft Purview data classification and labeling
Helps identify sensitive columns.
Azure Storage blob-level access policies
Why wrong: Controls access, not masking.
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 Synapse Serverless SQL with dynamic data masking
Options B and C are correct. Azure Synapse Serverless SQL can create external tables over Data Lake storage and apply dynamic data masking. Azure Purview can classify sensitive columns for policy. Option A is incorrect because ADLS does not have built-in masking. Option D is incorrect because Azure SQL Database is a different store. Option E is incorrect because Azure Policy does not mask data.
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.
Azure Policy to audit access
Why it's wrong here
Auditing, not masking.
Azure SQL Database dynamic data masking
Why it's wrong here
Does not apply to data lake directly.
Azure Synapse Serverless SQL with dynamic data masking
Why this is correct
Can mask data in queries over external tables.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Microsoft Purview data classification and labeling
Why this is correct
Helps identify sensitive columns.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Azure Storage blob-level access policies
Why it's wrong here
Controls access, not masking.
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 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
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DP-203 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Develop data processing — study guide chapter
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Develop data processing practice questions
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Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate DP-203 study guide
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FAQ
Develop data processing — This question tests Develop data processing — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
The correct answer is: Azure Synapse Serverless SQL with dynamic data masking — Options B and C are correct. Azure Synapse Serverless SQL can create external tables over Data Lake storage and apply dynamic data masking. Azure Purview can classify sensitive columns for policy. Option A is incorrect because ADLS does not have built-in masking. Option D is incorrect because Azure SQL Database is a different store. Option E is incorrect because Azure Policy does not mask data.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related DP-203 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
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