The correct answer is to enable 'Azure AD-only authentication' in the Azure SQL Database server settings and remove all SQL Server authenticated logins. This works by setting the server property to 'True', which immediately disables SQL authentication and enforces Microsoft Entra ID only, eliminating password-based attack vectors while ensuring all connections use token-based identity. On the DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Azure SQL Database authentication plane versus the management plane—a common trap is confusing Azure RBAC (which controls who can manage the server) with database-level access control. The exam expects you to know that disabling SQL authentication is a server-level toggle, not a database-level or Conditional Access policy. A quick memory tip: think of it as a master switch—flip 'Azure AD-only authentication' to 'True' and the SQL login door slams shut, leaving only Entra ID keys to enter.
DP-203 Practice Question: Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing
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.
Your organization uses Azure SQL Database with Active Geo-Replication for disaster recovery. You need to ensure that all connections to the database use Microsoft Entra ID authentication and that access is audited. You also want to minimize the attack surface by disabling SQL authentication. What should you do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable 'Azure AD-only authentication' in the Azure SQL Database server settings and remove all SQL Server authenticated logins.
Option C is correct: Set 'Azure AD-only authentication' to 'True' in the Azure SQL Database server properties. This disables SQL authentication and enforces Entra ID. Option A is incorrect: Azure RBAC controls management plane, not database access. Option B is incorrect: SQL authentication is still enabled. Option D is incorrect: Conditional Access policies work with Entra ID but don't disable SQL authentication.
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 Conditional Access policies to require MFA for database access.
Why it's wrong here
Does not disable SQL authentication.
✓
Enable 'Azure AD-only authentication' in the Azure SQL Database server settings and remove all SQL Server authenticated logins.
Why this is correct
Disables SQL authentication and enforces Entra ID.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a server-level firewall rule to allow only specific IP addresses and enable SQL authentication.
Why it's wrong here
SQL authentication is still allowed.
✗
Create an Azure RBAC role to restrict access to the database and assign it to users.
Why it's wrong here
RBAC is for management plane, not data plane.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
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.
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: Enable 'Azure AD-only authentication' in the Azure SQL Database server settings and remove all SQL Server authenticated logins. — Option C is correct: Set 'Azure AD-only authentication' to 'True' in the Azure SQL Database server properties. This disables SQL authentication and enforces Entra ID. Option A is incorrect: Azure RBAC controls management plane, not database access. Option B is incorrect: SQL authentication is still enabled. Option D is incorrect: Conditional Access policies work with Entra ID but don't disable SQL authentication.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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