Quick Answer
The correct answer is the EncryptedConnection property. When set to true in the Azure Data Factory linked service for an on-premises SQL Server, this property enforces TLS/SSL encryption for all data in transit, ensuring that the data copied to Azure Synapse Analytics is protected from interception or tampering during the network transfer. On the Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate DP-203 exam, this concept tests your understanding of securing data movement between on-premises and cloud environments, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish between connection encryption and data encryption at rest. A common trap is confusing this with the EncryptCredential property, which only secures stored credentials, not the actual data flow. Remember the memory tip: “Transit needs TLS, so flip the EncryptedConnection switch to true.”
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data storage. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 data engineer is designing a solution that uses Azure Data Factory to copy data from an on-premises SQL Server to Azure Synapse Analytics. The data transfer must be encrypted in transit. Which property should be configured in the linked service?
ConnectionString with Integrated Security
Why wrong: Does not guarantee encryption in transit.
AuthenticateVia
Why wrong: Specifies authentication method.
EncryptedConnection
Enables TLS encryption for data transfer.
UseSystemTrustStore
Why wrong: Related to certificate trust.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
EncryptedConnection
Option C is correct because the EncryptedConnection property in an Azure Data Factory linked service enforces encryption for data in transit between the on-premises SQL Server and Azure Synapse Analytics. When set to true, it uses TLS/SSL to encrypt the connection, ensuring that data transferred over the network is protected from interception or tampering.
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.
ConnectionString with Integrated Security
Why it's wrong here
Does not guarantee encryption in transit.
AuthenticateVia
Why it's wrong here
Specifies authentication method.
EncryptedConnection
Why this is correct
Enables TLS encryption for data transfer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
UseSystemTrustStore
Why it's wrong here
Related to certificate trust.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'encryption in transit' with authentication methods (like Integrated Security) or certificate validation settings (like UseSystemTrustStore), leading them to select options that address identity or trust rather than the actual encryption of the data channel.
Detailed technical explanation
The EncryptedConnection property leverages the underlying SqlClient driver's 'Encrypt' connection setting, which forces TLS 1.2 or higher for all data transfers. In Azure Data Factory, this property is critical when copying data from on-premises SQL Server because the self-hosted integration runtime must establish a secure channel; without it, the connection defaults to unencrypted if the server does not enforce encryption. A real-world scenario where this matters is when corporate policy mandates encryption for all data leaving the on-premises network, and setting EncryptedConnection to true ensures compliance even if the SQL Server instance is not configured to require encryption.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
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FAQ
Design and implement data storage — This question tests Design and implement data storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: EncryptedConnection — Option C is correct because the EncryptedConnection property in an Azure Data Factory linked service enforces encryption for data in transit between the on-premises SQL Server and Azure Synapse Analytics. When set to true, it uses TLS/SSL to encrypt the connection, ensuring that data transferred over the network is protected from interception or tampering.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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