- A
Share the storage account access key with the partner
Why wrong: Sharing the storage account access key grants full control over the storage account, including read, write, and delete permissions. This is a security risk because the key cannot be scoped to specific permissions or time-limited, making it unsuitable for sensitive data.
- B
Configure a firewall to allow only the partner's IP address
Why wrong: A firewall restricting by IP address only controls network access; it does not authenticate the user or restrict data-plane operations. If the partner's IP changes or they use a shared network, unauthorized access may occur. Additionally, it doesn't provide write-only or time-limited permissions.
- C
Generate a shared access signature (SAS) with write-only permission and expiry time
A Shared Access Signature (SAS) with write-only permission and an expiry time allows the partner to upload files without exposing the account key. It limits access to exactly what is needed (write only) and automatically revokes after the expiry, providing the highest security for sensitive financial data.
- D
Enable anonymous public access to a container
Why wrong: Enabling anonymous public access allows anyone to read or write blobs without authentication, which is extremely insecure for sensitive financial data. It should never be used for partner uploads.
DP-203 Design and implement data storage Practice Question
This DP-203 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement data storage. 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.
You need to store JSON files from an external partner in Azure Blob Storage. The files contain sensitive financial data. Which access method provides the highest security while allowing the partner to upload files?
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
Generate a shared access signature (SAS) with write-only permission and expiry time
Option C is correct because a Shared Access Signature (SAS) with write-only permission and an expiry time provides delegated, time-limited access to Azure Blob Storage without exposing the storage account key. This ensures the partner can upload JSON files but cannot read, modify, or list existing blobs, and access automatically revokes after the expiry, meeting the highest security requirement for sensitive financial data.
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.
- ✗
Share the storage account access key with the partner
Why it's wrong here
Sharing the storage account access key grants full control over the storage account, including read, write, and delete permissions. This is a security risk because the key cannot be scoped to specific permissions or time-limited, making it unsuitable for sensitive data.
- ✗
Configure a firewall to allow only the partner's IP address
Why it's wrong here
A firewall restricting by IP address only controls network access; it does not authenticate the user or restrict data-plane operations. If the partner's IP changes or they use a shared network, unauthorized access may occur. Additionally, it doesn't provide write-only or time-limited permissions.
- ✓
Generate a shared access signature (SAS) with write-only permission and expiry time
Why this is correct
A Shared Access Signature (SAS) with write-only permission and an expiry time allows the partner to upload files without exposing the account key. It limits access to exactly what is needed (write only) and automatically revokes after the expiry, providing the highest security for sensitive financial data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable anonymous public access to a container
Why it's wrong here
Enabling anonymous public access allows anyone to read or write blobs without authentication, which is extremely insecure for sensitive financial data. It should never be used for partner uploads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse IP-based firewalls (Option B) as a security method, but firewalls do not authenticate users or control data-plane permissions, and they can be bypassed if the partner's IP changes or if the partner uses a shared network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A SAS token is generated using the storage account key and includes parameters such as signed permissions (e.g., 'w' for write), signed expiry (e.g., ISO 8601 UTC), and signed resource (e.g., 'c' for container). The token is appended to the blob endpoint URL, and Azure Storage validates the signature using HMAC-SHA256. In a real-world scenario, you can also restrict the SAS to a specific IP range or require HTTPS to further harden access for external partners.
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.
Quick reference
Azure Blob Storage Tier Comparison
| Tier | Storage Cost | Retrieval Cost | Latency | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot | Highest | Lowest | Immediate | Active data, frequent reads |
| Cool | Lower | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / month |
| Cold | Lower still | Higher | Immediate | Data accessed < once / quarter |
| Archive | Lowest | Highest + rehydration delay | Hours | Long-term compliance retention |
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DP-203 question test?
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: Generate a shared access signature (SAS) with write-only permission and expiry time — Option C is correct because a Shared Access Signature (SAS) with write-only permission and an expiry time provides delegated, time-limited access to Azure Blob Storage without exposing the storage account key. This ensures the partner can upload JSON files but cannot read, modify, or list existing blobs, and access automatically revokes after the expiry, meeting the highest security requirement for sensitive financial data.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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