- A
Use a stored access policy to grant permissions to the directory.
Why wrong: A stored access policy is used to set permissions for a shared access signature (SAS), not to directly grant permissions to a directory. It does not provide granular directory-level permissions like ACLs.
- B
Set ACL entries on the specific directory path granting read, write, and execute permissions to the users.
Correct. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 supports POSIX-like ACLs that can be set on specific directory paths to grant fine-grained permissions such as read, write, and execute.
- C
Generate a shared access signature (SAS) with permissions scoped to the specific directory.
Why wrong: A SAS token is scoped to a storage account or container, not to subdirectories within a hierarchical namespace, so it cannot provide the required granular access.
- D
Assign the Storage Blob Data Contributor role to the users at the storage account level.
Why wrong: The Storage Blob Data Contributor role is an RBAC role that, when assigned at the storage account level, grants permissions to the entire storage account or container, which is too broad for the requirement of restricting to a specific directory path.
Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 Directory Permissions — Using ACLs
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. 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.
You use Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 with a hierarchical namespace. You need to delegate permissions to a group of data scientists so they can create folders and upload files only within a specific directory path. What is the best way to achieve this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Set ACL entries on the specific directory path granting read, write, and execute permissions to the users.
Option B is correct because Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 supports POSIX-like ACLs that can be set on directory paths to grant granular permissions. Option A is wrong because stored access policies are used to control permissions for shared access signatures (SAS), not to directly grant directory-level permissions. Option C is wrong because SAS tokens are scoped to the storage account or container level, not to subdirectories. Option D is wrong because assigning the Storage Blob Data Contributor role at the storage account level grants permissions to the entire account or container, which is too broad for the requirement.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 stored access policy to grant permissions to the directory.
Why it's wrong here
A stored access policy is used to set permissions for a shared access signature (SAS), not to directly grant permissions to a directory. It does not provide granular directory-level permissions like ACLs.
- ✓
Set ACL entries on the specific directory path granting read, write, and execute permissions to the users.
Why this is correct
Correct. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 supports POSIX-like ACLs that can be set on specific directory paths to grant fine-grained permissions such as read, write, and execute.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Generate a shared access signature (SAS) with permissions scoped to the specific directory.
Why it's wrong here
A SAS token is scoped to a storage account or container, not to subdirectories within a hierarchical namespace, so it cannot provide the required granular access.
- ✗
Assign the Storage Blob Data Contributor role to the users at the storage account level.
Why it's wrong here
The Storage Blob Data Contributor role is an RBAC role that, when assigned at the storage account level, grants permissions to the entire storage account or container, which is too broad for the requirement of restricting to a specific directory path.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DP-203 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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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 — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set ACL entries on the specific directory path granting read, write, and execute permissions to the users. — Option B is correct because Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 supports POSIX-like ACLs that can be set on directory paths to grant granular permissions. Option A is wrong because stored access policies are used to control permissions for shared access signatures (SAS), not to directly grant directory-level permissions. Option C is wrong because SAS tokens are scoped to the storage account or container level, not to subdirectories. Option D is wrong because assigning the Storage Blob Data Contributor role at the storage account level grants permissions to the entire account or container, which is too broad for the requirement.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related DP-203 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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
2 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. Your organization uses Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 with hierarchical namespace enabled. You need to grant a service principal read and write access to a specific directory without granting access to the parent directories. What should you use?
hard- ✓ A.Assign the Storage Blob Data Contributor role at the directory level using RBAC.
- B.Use a managed identity and assign it to the directory.
- C.Create a stored access policy on the directory.
- D.Set ACLs on the directory with default ACLs for the service principal.
Why A: Option A is correct because Azure RBAC with scope at the directory level can be assigned using the Storage Blob Data Contributor role. Option B is wrong because managed identity is an identity, not a permission mechanism. Managed identity provides an identity for Azure resources, but permissions must be assigned via RBAC or ACLs. Option C is wrong because stored access policies are used for shared access signatures (SAS), not for granting permissions to a service principal. Option D is wrong because ACLs can be used for fine-grained permissions, but they are scoped to the file system level for default ACLs, and assigning ACLs directly to a directory can provide permission, but default ACLs apply to child items. However, for a service principal, using RBAC at directory scope is more appropriate.
Variation 2. Your organization uses Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 with hierarchical namespace enabled. You need to implement a security strategy that allows users to read only specific folders within a container. Which authorization method should you use?
hard- A.Storage account shared key
- B.Azure RBAC roles (e.g., Storage Blob Data Contributor) at the container level
- C.Shared access signatures (SAS) with folder-level permissions
- ✓ D.Access control lists (ACLs) on the folder
Why D: Option D is correct because ACLs (Access Control Lists) in Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 can be applied to individual folders, enabling granular read permissions. Option A is incorrect because a storage account shared key grants full access to the entire account. Option B is incorrect because Azure RBAC roles like Storage Blob Data Contributor apply at the container level, affecting all folders within. Option C is incorrect because shared access signatures (SAS) can be scoped to a container or a file, but not to a specific folder within a container.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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