The correct answer is to export the certificate to a PFX file, import it to Azure Key Vault, and configure TDE with a key vault key. This is required because Azure SQL Managed Instance does not accept user-provided TDE certificates directly; instead, it relies entirely on Azure Key Vault as its external key store for managing encryption keys. When you migrate a TDE-enabled database, the database encryption key (DEK) must be unwrapped using the original certificate, so exporting that certificate to a PFX and importing it into Key Vault allows the Managed Instance to access the key and maintain encryption continuity. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the architectural difference between on-premises TDE (self-managed certificates) and Azure-managed TDE (Azure Key Vault integration). A common trap is assuming you can simply restore the certificate to the Managed Instance, which is not supported. Memory tip: think “PFX to Vault, then vault unlocks the database”—the certificate never touches the instance directly.
DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. 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.
You are migrating an on-premises SQL Server database to Azure SQL Managed Instance. The source database uses Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with a certificate stored in the local machine store. Which step is required to enable TDE in the target Managed Instance?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Export the certificate to a PFX file, import it to Azure Key Vault, and configure TDE with a key vault key
Azure SQL Managed Instance does not support importing user-provided certificates for TDE. Instead, it relies on Azure Key Vault as the external key store. Therefore, you must export the on-premises TDE certificate to a PFX file, import it into Azure Key Vault, and then configure the Managed Instance to use that key vault key for TDE. This ensures the database encryption key can be unwrapped and the database remains encrypted during and after migration.
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.
✓
Export the certificate to a PFX file, import it to Azure Key Vault, and configure TDE with a key vault key
Why this is correct
Managed Instance supports customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a self-signed certificate in the Managed Instance and restore the database with KEEP_TDE
Why it's wrong here
Managed Instance does not support user-provided server certificates for TDE.
✗
Use the same certificate file by uploading it to the Managed Instance via SQL Server Management Studio
Why it's wrong here
Managed Instance does not allow uploading certificates directly.
✗
Disable TDE on the source database before migration, then enable it after migration
Why it's wrong here
Disabling TDE would expose data and is not required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume on-premises TDE certificates can be directly reused in Azure SQL Managed Instance, but Azure requires all TDE keys to be managed through Azure Key Vault, not via certificate files or self-signed certificates.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, TDE uses a database encryption key (DEK) that is protected by a certificate or asymmetric key. In Azure SQL Managed Instance, the DEK must be protected by an asymmetric key stored in Azure Key Vault (a key vault key). During migration, the source DEK is backed by the on-premises certificate; after importing that certificate into Key Vault as a key, you can use the ALTER DATABASE SET ENCRYPTION ON statement with the key vault key to re-encrypt the DEK. This process avoids any decryption of the database files, making it a fast and secure online migration step.
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 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.
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Export the certificate to a PFX file, import it to Azure Key Vault, and configure TDE with a key vault key — Azure SQL Managed Instance does not support importing user-provided certificates for TDE. Instead, it relies on Azure Key Vault as the external key store. Therefore, you must export the on-premises TDE certificate to a PFX file, import it into Azure Key Vault, and then configure the Managed Instance to use that key vault key for TDE. This ensures the database encryption key can be unwrapped and the database remains encrypted during and after migration.
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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Question Discussion
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