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DP-203 Practice Question: Configure encryption for an Azure SQL Database to…
You need to configure encryption for an Azure SQL Database to protect data at rest. Which Azure service or feature should you enable?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) with encryption, thinking it protects data at rest, when in fact it only masks output and does not encrypt the underlying storage.
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
✓
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is the correct choice because it performs real-time I/O encryption and decryption of the data and log files at rest, protecting against unauthorized access to the physical storage media. TDE uses an AES-256 encryption algorithm and is fully transparent to the application, requiring no changes to the database schema or queries.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Dynamic Data Masking
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic Data Masking obfuscates data in query results to unauthorised users but does not encrypt the underlying storage, so it fails to protect data at rest as required by the stem. It is tempting because it similarly restricts sensitive data exposure, and would be correct for limiting on-screen visibility of fields like credit-card numbers without altering the database encryption state.
- ✗
Always Encrypted
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted encrypts sensitive data at the column level, not the entire database.
- ✗
Azure Information Protection
Why it's wrong here
Azure Information Protection is for classifying and protecting documents and emails.
- ✓
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Why this is correct
TDE encrypts the database at rest automatically.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-203 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DP-203 exam.