- A
Use a service principal with a client secret or certificate.
Service principal with client secret or certificate is a supported and secure method for Data Factory to authenticate to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
- B
Use a shared access signature (SAS) token.
Shared access signature (SAS) token is a supported method for Data Factory to authenticate, allowing scoped access without full account keys.
- C
Use a managed identity assigned to the Data Factory.
Managed identity assigned to Data Factory is a supported and recommended method, eliminating the need to store credentials.
- D
Use a user account with password.
Why wrong: User account with password is not supported for Data Factory authentication to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
- E
Use the storage account access key.
Why wrong: Storage account access key is not supported for Data Factory authentication; it provides full control and is a security risk.
DP-203 Service Principal Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and 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. A key principle to apply: service Principal. 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.
Which TWO methods can you use to authenticate an Azure Data Factory pipeline to access Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2? (Choose TWO)
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
Use a service principal with a client secret or certificate.
The correct answers are A, B, and C. Although the question asks for two, there are three supported authentication methods for Azure Data Factory to access ADLS Gen2: service principal (A), SAS token (B), and managed identity (C). Service principal uses an Azure AD application with a client secret or certificate. SAS tokens provide scoped access. Managed identity allows Data Factory to authenticate without storing credentials. User account (D) and storage account access key (E) are not valid for ADLS Gen2 authentication.
Key principle: Service Principal
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 a service principal with a client secret or certificate.
Why this is correct
Service principal with client secret or certificate is a supported and secure method for Data Factory to authenticate to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
Related concept
Service Principal
- ✓
Use a shared access signature (SAS) token.
Why this is correct
Shared access signature (SAS) token is a supported method for Data Factory to authenticate, allowing scoped access without full account keys.
Related concept
Service Principal
- ✓
Use a managed identity assigned to the Data Factory.
Why this is correct
Managed identity assigned to Data Factory is a supported and recommended method, eliminating the need to store credentials.
Related concept
Service Principal
- ✗
Use a user account with password.
Why it's wrong here
User account with password is not supported for Data Factory authentication to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2.
- ✗
Use the storage account access key.
Why it's wrong here
Storage account access key is not supported for Data Factory authentication; it provides full control and is a security risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
This question tests your knowledge of all supported authentication methods. Even though the stem says 'Choose two', there are actually three valid options: service principal, SAS token, and managed identity. Candidates may mistakenly think only two are correct.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Service Principal
- Managed Identity
- Shared Access Signature (SAS)
- Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2
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
Service Principal
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.
Review service Principal, then practise related DP-203 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — Service Principal.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a service principal with a client secret or certificate. — The correct answers are A, B, and C. Although the question asks for two, there are three supported authentication methods for Azure Data Factory to access ADLS Gen2: service principal (A), SAS token (B), and managed identity (C). Service principal uses an Azure AD application with a client secret or certificate. SAS tokens provide scoped access. Managed identity allows Data Factory to authenticate without storing credentials. User account (D) and storage account access key (E) are not valid for ADLS Gen2 authentication.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Review service Principal, then practise related DP-203 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Service Principal
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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