- A
Create a stored procedure that checks the user's role and returns the appropriate columns.
Why wrong: Stored procedures cannot be used as predicate functions; they must be inline table-valued functions.
- B
Grant the 'Manager' role SELECT permission on the security policy.
Why wrong: Permissions on the security policy are not needed; the policy automatically applies based on the predicate function.
- C
Create a security policy with a filter predicate on the salary column using the function, and set the state to ON with BLOCK predicate.
The security policy with BLOCK prevents updates/inserts that would expose the column.
- D
Create an inline table-valued function that returns 1 if the user is a member of the 'Manager' role, else 0.
The function is used as a filter predicate in the security policy.
- E
Use GRANT SELECT ON OBJECT::[dbo].[Employee](Salary) TO [Manager] to grant access to the salary column.
Why wrong: Column-level permissions are not supported in dedicated SQL pools; use column-level security via a security policy.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create an inline table-valued function that returns 1 if the user is a member of the 'Manager' role, else 0, and then create a security policy with a BLOCK predicate set to ON. This works because Azure Synapse column-level security implementation relies on a security policy that applies a filter predicate—typically an inline table-valued function—to restrict access to sensitive columns at the row level, using functions like `IS_MEMBER()` to check role membership. On the DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that dedicated SQL pools do not support the simpler `GRANT`-based column permissions; instead, you must build a predicate function and attach it via `CREATE SECURITY POLICY`. A common trap is confusing column-level security with row-level security—remember, column-level uses a BLOCK predicate (not a FILTER predicate) to prevent unauthorized users from even seeing the column data. Memory tip: "BLOCK the column, FILTER the row."
DP-203 Design and implement data security Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data security. 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.
A company uses Azure Synapse Analytics with a dedicated SQL pool. Data engineers need to implement column-level security so that only users with the 'Manager' role can see salary columns. Which TWO actions should they take?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a security policy with a filter predicate on the salary column using the function, and set the state to ON with BLOCK predicate.
Option C is correct because column-level security in Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pools is implemented via a security policy that uses a filter predicate (a function) to restrict access to specific columns. Setting the state to ON with a BLOCK predicate ensures that unauthorized users cannot see the salary column. Option D is correct because the inline table-valued function is the predicate function that checks role membership (e.g., using IS_MEMBER('Manager')) and returns 1 or 0, which the security policy uses to filter rows.
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.
- ✗
Create a stored procedure that checks the user's role and returns the appropriate columns.
Why it's wrong here
Stored procedures cannot be used as predicate functions; they must be inline table-valued functions.
- ✗
Grant the 'Manager' role SELECT permission on the security policy.
Why it's wrong here
Permissions on the security policy are not needed; the policy automatically applies based on the predicate function.
- ✓
Create a security policy with a filter predicate on the salary column using the function, and set the state to ON with BLOCK predicate.
Why this is correct
The security policy with BLOCK prevents updates/inserts that would expose the column.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Create an inline table-valued function that returns 1 if the user is a member of the 'Manager' role, else 0.
Why this is correct
The function is used as a filter predicate in the security policy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use GRANT SELECT ON OBJECT::[dbo].[Employee](Salary) TO [Manager] to grant access to the salary column.
Why it's wrong here
Column-level permissions are not supported in dedicated SQL pools; use column-level security via a security policy.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse column-level security with row-level security or assume that GRANT statements can be used to restrict column access, but Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pools require a security policy with a predicate function for column-level restrictions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Column-level security in Azure Synapse dedicated SQL pools uses a security policy with a predicate function that is evaluated for each row; the function typically uses IS_MEMBER() or USER_NAME() to check role membership. The BLOCK predicate prevents unauthorized users from seeing the column entirely, while a FILTER predicate would only hide rows. This approach is transparent to applications and does not require schema changes, making it ideal for scenarios like multi-tenant data where sensitive columns must be hidden based on user roles.
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-203 question test?
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: Create a security policy with a filter predicate on the salary column using the function, and set the state to ON with BLOCK predicate. — Option C is correct because column-level security in Azure Synapse Analytics dedicated SQL pools is implemented via a security policy that uses a filter predicate (a function) to restrict access to specific columns. Setting the state to ON with a BLOCK predicate ensures that unauthorized users cannot see the salary column. Option D is correct because the inline table-valued function is the predicate function that checks role membership (e.g., using IS_MEMBER('Manager')) and returns 1 or 0, which the security policy uses to filter rows.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on DP-203
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 uses Azure Synapse Analytics with dedicated SQL pools. They need to allow a data scientist to read all tables in the 'sales' schema but prevent access to columns containing personally identifiable information (PII). Which feature should be used?
medium- A.Dynamic data masking
- B.Row-level security
- ✓ C.Column-level security
- D.Azure Active Directory authentication
Why C: Column-level security (C) is the correct choice because it allows you to restrict access to specific columns in a table, such as PII columns, while granting read access to all other columns in the 'sales' schema. This is achieved by defining a GRANT SELECT statement on the table with a column list, or by using a security policy with a filter predicate that blocks access to sensitive columns. Unlike Dynamic Data Masking, which obfuscates data at query time but does not prevent the user from seeing the masked values in certain scenarios, Column-level security actually denies access to the specified columns entirely.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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