- A
Configure Azure Databricks to use a user-assigned managed identity for authentication to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
Managed identity eliminates the need for keys, and rotation is handled automatically by Azure, avoiding job disruption.
- B
Use Azure Policy to automatically rotate keys and update Databricks cluster configurations.
Why wrong: Azure Policy cannot automatically update Databricks configurations; key rotation would still cause disruption.
- C
Use Azure Key Vault to store the storage account keys and configure a lifecycle policy to rotate them every 90 days. Update Databricks secrets accordingly.
Why wrong: Key rotation would require updating secrets and could cause job failures if not carefully coordinated.
- D
Generate a SAS token with a 90-day expiry and update the Databricks secret before expiry.
Why wrong: SAS tokens still require manual rotation and could interrupt jobs if not updated in time.
How to Rotate Storage Account Keys Automatically Without Interrupting Databricks Jobs
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing. 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 company uses Azure Databricks to process large datasets stored in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. You need to implement a solution that automatically rotates the storage account access keys every 90 days without interrupting running jobs. The solution should use managed identities where possible. What should you do?
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
Configure Azure Databricks to use a user-assigned managed identity for authentication to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
Option A is correct because using a user-assigned managed identity for Databricks to access Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 eliminates the need for access keys and prevents job interruption during key rotation. Option B is wrong because Azure Policy cannot directly update Databricks cluster configurations, and key rotation would disrupt jobs relying on keys. Option C is wrong because storing keys in Azure Key Vault with a lifecycle policy still requires updating Databricks secrets, potentially interrupting running jobs, and managed identity is a simpler, more secure approach. Option D is wrong because generating a SAS token with a 90-day expiry requires manual management and rotation, and if not updated on time, jobs will fail.
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.
- ✓
Configure Azure Databricks to use a user-assigned managed identity for authentication to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
Why this is correct
Managed identity eliminates the need for keys, and rotation is handled automatically by Azure, avoiding job disruption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Azure Policy to automatically rotate keys and update Databricks cluster configurations.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy cannot automatically update Databricks configurations; key rotation would still cause disruption.
- ✗
Use Azure Key Vault to store the storage account keys and configure a lifecycle policy to rotate them every 90 days. Update Databricks secrets accordingly.
Why it's wrong here
Key rotation would require updating secrets and could cause job failures if not carefully coordinated.
- ✗
Generate a SAS token with a 90-day expiry and update the Databricks secret before expiry.
Why it's wrong here
SAS tokens still require manual rotation and could interrupt jobs if not updated in time.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DP-203 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-203 question test?
Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — This question tests Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure Azure Databricks to use a user-assigned managed identity for authentication to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. — Option A is correct because using a user-assigned managed identity for Databricks to access Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 eliminates the need for access keys and prevents job interruption during key rotation. Option B is wrong because Azure Policy cannot directly update Databricks cluster configurations, and key rotation would disrupt jobs relying on keys. Option C is wrong because storing keys in Azure Key Vault with a lifecycle policy still requires updating Databricks secrets, potentially interrupting running jobs, and managed identity is a simpler, more secure approach. Option D is wrong because generating a SAS token with a 90-day expiry requires manual management and rotation, and if not updated on time, jobs will fail.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Identify which DP-203 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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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