DP-203 Practice Question: Secure, monitor, and optimize data storage and data processing
You are designing a data processing solution in Azure Synapse Analytics. The solution must prevent unauthorized access to data at rest and in transit. Which combination of features should you implement?
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
✓
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and enforce TLS 1.2.
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) encrypts data at rest in Azure Synapse Analytics, and enforcing TLS 1.2 ensures encryption of data in transit. Option B (Azure RBAC and firewall rules) controls access but does not provide encryption. Option C (Always Encrypted and column-level security) is primarily for client-side encryption and access control, not comprehensive at-rest encryption. Option D (storing keys in Key Vault and enabling double encryption) relates to key management and infrastructure encryption, but the direct combination of TDE and TLS 1.2 is the required solution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and enforce TLS 1.2.
Why this is correct
TDE performs real-time encryption and decryption of the database, log and backup files at rest, while enforced TLS 1.2 encrypts data moving between clients and the pool. Together they satisfy the stem's dual requirement to protect data both at rest and in transit.
- ✗
Use Azure RBAC and firewall rules.
Why it's wrong here
Azure RBAC and firewall rules restrict who reaches the workspace and from where, but neither encrypts data at rest nor enforces encryption in transit. It is tempting because both are core network access controls, and they would be correct for authorisation and perimeter security alone.
- ✗
Use Always Encrypted and column-level security.
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted protects column data at rest and in transit to the client, but column-level security only filters query results by user context; neither encrypts data in transit between the client and the pool, which requires TLS. It would suit protecting sensitive columns from DBAs, not the full at-rest and in-transit requirement.
- ✗
Store encryption keys in Azure Key Vault and enable double encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Key Vault stores keys and double encryption adds a second at-rest layer, but neither secures data in transit between clients and the pool, which TLS provides. This combination suits regulatory mandates for customer-managed keys and infrastructure-level encryption at rest, not transit protection.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Implement Azure Synapse Analytics
Key term
Column-Level Security
Column-Level Security is a database feature that restricts access to specific columns in a table, allowing only authorized users to see sensitive data within those columns.
Key term
Azure Synapse Analytics
Azure Synapse Analytics is a cloud-based data integration, warehousing, and analytics service that brings together big data and data warehouse capabilities under one platform.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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