The creation will be denied because the Azure Policy explicitly prohibits public network access for Azure SQL Database servers. This happens because Azure Policy evaluates resource creation requests at the Azure Resource Manager level before any provisioning occurs, and if the request violates a defined policy—such as one requiring private endpoints or denying public connectivity—the deployment is blocked immediately. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Azure Policy enforces governance and security controls, often appearing as a scenario where a deployment fails unexpectedly. A common trap is assuming the server is created but then blocked at the network level, when in fact the policy denies the entire creation request. Remember the mnemonic “Policy Prevents Provisioning” to recall that Azure Policy acts as a gatekeeper before resources are built, not after.
DP-300 Implement a secure environment Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of implement a secure environment. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing an Azure Policy assignment for an Azure SQL Database server. The policy definition is as follows:
{
"if": {
"allOf": [
{
"field": "type",
"equals": "Microsoft.Sql/servers"
},
{
"field": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/publicNetworkAccess",
"equals": "Enabled"
}
]
},
"then": {
"effect": "deny"
}
}
You attempt to create a new Azure SQL Database server with public network access enabled. What will happen?
Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing an Azure Policy assignment for an Azure SQL Database server. The policy definition is as follows:
{
"if": {
"allOf": [
{
"field": "type",
"equals": "Microsoft.Sql/servers"
},
{
"field": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/publicNetworkAccess",
"equals": "Enabled"
}
]
},
"then": {
"effect": "deny"
}
}
A
The server will be created, but an audit log will be generated.
Why wrong: No audit effect is specified; only deny is used.
B
The server will be created successfully with public network access enabled.
Why wrong: The deny effect will block creation.
C
The creation will be denied because the policy prohibits public network access.
The policy explicitly denies servers with public network access enabled.
D
The server will be created, but the databases will be denied creation.
Why wrong: The policy only targets servers, not databases.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The creation will be denied because the policy prohibits public network access.
Azure Policy can enforce rules that restrict or deny the creation of Azure resources that do not meet specific compliance requirements. If a policy is in place that prohibits public network access for Azure SQL Database servers, the creation request will be denied at the Azure Resource Manager level before the server is provisioned. This is a common security control to enforce a private endpoint or deny public connectivity.
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.
✗
The server will be created, but an audit log will be generated.
Why it's wrong here
No audit effect is specified; only deny is used.
✗
The server will be created successfully with public network access enabled.
Why it's wrong here
The deny effect will block creation.
✓
The creation will be denied because the policy prohibits public network access.
Why this is correct
The policy explicitly denies servers with public network access enabled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The server will be created, but the databases will be denied creation.
Why it's wrong here
The policy only targets servers, not databases.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume the server is always created and then audited or partially blocked, but Azure Policy denies the entire creation request at the Resource Manager level before any resource is provisioned.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Policy uses policy definitions and assignments that evaluate resource creation or update requests against conditions (e.g., 'publicNetworkAccess' property equals 'Enabled'). When a policy with a 'Deny' effect is triggered, Azure Resource Manager rejects the request with an HTTP 403 Forbidden status before any resource provisioning begins. This is enforced at the control plane, not the data plane, meaning the SQL Database server resource is never instantiated.
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 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-300 question in full detail.
Implement a secure environment — This question tests Implement a secure environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The creation will be denied because the policy prohibits public network access. — Azure Policy can enforce rules that restrict or deny the creation of Azure resources that do not meet specific compliance requirements. If a policy is in place that prohibits public network access for Azure SQL Database servers, the creation request will be denied at the Azure Resource Manager level before the server is provisioned. This is a common security control to enforce a private endpoint or deny public connectivity.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 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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