The correct configuration is to enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) using a customer-managed key from Azure Key Vault. This meets the requirement because TDE performs real-time encryption and decryption of the database at rest, including data files, log files, and all backups, using a Database Encryption Key (DEK) that is itself protected by a customer-managed key stored in Azure Key Vault. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to satisfy compliance mandates for protected health information (PHI) by combining TDE with a customer-managed key, rather than relying on the default service-managed key. A common trap is confusing TDE with Always Encrypted or column-level encryption; remember that TDE handles encryption at rest for the entire database and its backups automatically, while Always Encrypted protects data in transit and in use. Memory tip: TDE with your own key in Key Vault means you control the “master lock” for both the database and its backups.
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 a database administrator for a healthcare organization. You need to deploy a new Azure SQL Database that stores protected health information (PHI). The database must be encrypted at rest using a customer-managed key in Azure Key Vault. Additionally, you need to ensure that backups are also encrypted with the same key. Which configuration should you use?
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) using a customer-managed key from Azure Key Vault
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with a customer-managed key from Azure Key Vault is the correct choice because it encrypts the database at rest, including data files and log files, using a key that you control and manage in Azure Key Vault. This meets the requirement for encrypting protected health information (PHI) at rest with a customer-managed key, and TDE automatically ensures that backups are encrypted with the same database encryption key (DEK), which is protected by the customer-managed key.
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.
✗
Use column-level encryption with a certificate
Why it's wrong here
Manual and does not cover backups automatically.
✓
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) using a customer-managed key from Azure Key Vault
Why this is correct
TDE encrypts the database and backups at rest, and customer-managed keys are supported.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption with a service-managed key
Why it's wrong here
Does not use customer-managed key.
✗
Enable Always Encrypted with keys stored in Azure Key Vault
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted encrypts specific columns, not the entire database or backups.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Always Encrypted (which encrypts data at the column level and requires application changes) with TDE (which encrypts the entire database at rest transparently), or they mistakenly think that service-managed keys satisfy a customer-managed key requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TDE with customer-managed keys uses an asymmetric key stored in Azure Key Vault to protect the database encryption key (DEK), which is stored in the database boot record. When a backup is taken, the backup file contains the encrypted DEK, so restoring the backup requires access to the same customer-managed key in Key Vault, ensuring consistent encryption. This approach leverages the Azure Key Vault 'wrap key' operation to protect the DEK, and the key must be in the same Azure region as the database to avoid cross-region latency issues.
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: Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) using a customer-managed key from Azure Key Vault — Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with a customer-managed key from Azure Key Vault is the correct choice because it encrypts the database at rest, including data files and log files, using a key that you control and manage in Azure Key Vault. This meets the requirement for encrypting protected health information (PHI) at rest with a customer-managed key, and TDE automatically ensures that backups are encrypted with the same database encryption key (DEK), which is protected by the customer-managed key.
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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