The correct answer is to add a resource of type 'Microsoft.Sql/servers/encryptionProtector' and reference the key vault key. This is required because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) in Azure SQL Database is configured at the server level, not the database level, and the encryption protector resource explicitly links the server to the specific key stored in Azure Key Vault. On the DP-300 exam, this question tests your understanding that simply enabling TDE in an ARM template is insufficient for CMK; you must also declare the protector resource to override the default service-managed key. A common trap is confusing the database-level TDE setting with the server-level encryption protector, or mistaking Always Encrypted for TDE. Remember the hierarchy: the server holds the encryption protector, which points to the key vault key, and all databases under that server inherit that CMK. A useful memory tip is "Server Protector, Database Inheritor" — always set the protector at the server resource in your ARM template.
DP-300 Implement a secure environment Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of implement a secure environment. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"type": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/transparentDataEncryption",
"apiVersion": "2022-05-01-preview",
"name": "current",
"properties": {
"state": "Enabled"
}
}
You are reviewing an ARM template for Azure SQL Database. The exhibit shows a resource definition for Transparent Data Encryption (TDE). You need to ensure that the database uses customer-managed keys (CMK) stored in Azure Key Vault instead of service-managed keys. What additional configuration is required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a resource of type 'Microsoft.Sql/servers/encryptionProtector' and reference the key vault key.
Option A is correct because to use CMK, you must configure an Azure Key Vault and set the database's encryption protector to the key. Option B is wrong because TDE is already enabled; CMK requires a specific protector. Option C is wrong because the encryption protector is set at the server level, not database. Option D is wrong because Always Encrypted is a different feature.
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.
✗
Modify the database resource to include a 'keyVaultUri' property.
Why it's wrong here
The encryption protector is set at the server level, not database.
✗
Enable Always Encrypted on the database.
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted is a different feature for column-level encryption.
✗
Set the TDE state to 'Disabled' and then re-enable with a customer key.
Why it's wrong here
TDE must remain enabled; you change the protector.
✓
Add a resource of type 'Microsoft.Sql/servers/encryptionProtector' and reference the key vault key.
Why this is correct
The encryption protector resource specifies the customer-managed key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Identify which DP-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Add a resource of type 'Microsoft.Sql/servers/encryptionProtector' and reference the key vault key. — Option A is correct because to use CMK, you must configure an Azure Key Vault and set the database's encryption protector to the key. Option B is wrong because TDE is already enabled; CMK requires a specific protector. Option C is wrong because the encryption protector is set at the server level, not database. Option D is wrong because Always Encrypted is a different feature.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which DP-300 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are deploying a new Azure SQL Database that will store Personally Identifiable Information (PII). You need to ensure that the data is encrypted at rest and that access to encryption keys is logged. Which THREE actions should you take? (Choose three.)
hard
A.Use Always Encrypted to encrypt all PII columns.
✓ B.Grant the managed identity of the database access to the key vault with 'get', 'wrapKey', and 'unwrapKey' permissions.
C.Configure TDE with service-managed keys.
✓ D.Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault.
✓ E.Enable auditing on the Azure Key Vault to log key operations.
Why B: Option B is correct because to use customer-managed TDE keys stored in Azure Key Vault, the Azure SQL Database's managed identity must be granted 'get', 'wrapKey', and 'unwrapKey' permissions. This allows the database to access the key for encryption and decryption operations while maintaining a secure, auditable key management chain.
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Question Discussion
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