The answer is Azure SQL Database and Azure Blob Storage. Azure SQL Database provides HIPAA compliant data storage for structured patient records with built-in Transparent Data Encryption for data at rest and TLS for data in transit, while Azure Blob Storage handles unstructured medical images using Storage Service Encryption at rest and HTTPS/TLS for secure transfers, both services being HIPAA-eligible when paired with proper access controls and audit logging. On the DP-203 exam, this scenario tests your ability to match storage services to data types under compliance constraints—a common trap is choosing a single service for both structured and unstructured data, but the correct approach requires two distinct solutions. Remember the memory tip: “SQL for structured, Blob for blobbed images,” ensuring you pair each data format with its native Azure service for full HIPAA coverage.
DP-203 Design and implement data storage Practice Question
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.
You are designing a data storage solution for a healthcare company that must comply with HIPAA. The solution needs to store structured patient records and unstructured medical images. Data must be encrypted at rest and in transit. Which TWO storage solutions meet these requirements?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure Blob Storage
Azure Blob Storage supports storing unstructured data like medical images and offers encryption at rest via Storage Service Encryption (SSE) and in transit via HTTPS/TLS. It is HIPAA-eligible when configured with appropriate access controls and logging, making it suitable for the unstructured image component of the solution.
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.
✗
Azure Redis Cache
Why it's wrong here
Redis Cache is an in-memory cache, not a persistent storage solution.
✓
Azure Blob Storage
Why this is correct
Blob Storage supports encryption at rest and in transit, and is suitable for images.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Azure Table Storage
Why it's wrong here
Table Storage may not meet all HIPAA requirements out-of-the-box.
✗
Azure Cosmos DB
Why it's wrong here
Cosmos DB requires additional configuration for HIPAA compliance.
✓
Azure SQL Database
Why this is correct
Azure SQL Database provides encryption at rest and in transit, and is HIPAA compliant.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may choose Cosmos DB or Table Storage for structured data, overlooking that Azure SQL Database is the preferred HIPAA-compliant relational store for structured patient records, while Blob Storage is the correct choice for large unstructured images.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Blob Storage uses AES-256 encryption for data at rest, managed by Microsoft or customer-managed keys via Azure Key Vault, and enforces TLS 1.2+ for data in transit. For structured patient records, Azure SQL Database provides Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with AES-256 and Always Encrypted for column-level encryption, along with firewall rules and VNet integration to meet HIPAA requirements. Both services support audit logging and are covered under the Microsoft HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA).
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.
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
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-203 question in full detail.
Design and implement data storage — This question tests Design and implement data storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Blob Storage — Azure Blob Storage supports storing unstructured data like medical images and offers encryption at rest via Storage Service Encryption (SSE) and in transit via HTTPS/TLS. It is HIPAA-eligible when configured with appropriate access controls and logging, making it suitable for the unstructured image component of the solution.
What should I do if I get this DP-203 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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