DP-300 Implement a secure environment Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are required steps to configure Azure SQL Database to use a customer-managed key (CMK) for Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with Azure Key Vault? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the required managed identity type (system-assigned vs. user-assigned) or assume network-level constraints (like VNet integration) are mandatory, when in fact only identity and key permissions are strictly required.
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
✓
Set the TDE protector to the Key Vault key via the Azure portal or T-SQL
Setting the TDE protector to the Key Vault key is the step that actually enables customer-managed key (CMK) encryption for Azure SQL Database. This can be done via the Azure portal, PowerShell, Azure CLI, or T-SQL (using ALTER DATABASE SCOPED CONFIGURATION SET TDE_PROTECTOR). Without this step, the database continues to use a service-managed key.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a user-assigned managed identity for the SQL Database server
Why it's wrong here
A system-assigned managed identity can also be used.
- ✓
Set the TDE protector to the Key Vault key via the Azure portal or T-SQL
Why this is correct
This configures the server to use the CMK.
- ✓
Grant the SQL Database server's managed identity Get, Wrap Key, and Unwrap Key permissions on the Key Vault key
Why this is correct
These permissions are required for the server to use the key.
- ✗
Store the encryption key in the SQL Database server's hardware security module (HSM)
Why it's wrong here
CMK requires the key to be in Azure Key Vault.
- ✗
Ensure the SQL Database server is inside the same virtual network as the Key Vault
Why it's wrong here
Not required; Key Vault can be accessed over the internet or private endpoint.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
Key term
Transparent Data Encryption
Transparent Data Encryption is a security feature that automatically encrypts data written to a database and decrypts it when read, without requiring any changes to the application.
Key term
Azure SQL Performance Tuning
Azure SQL Performance Tuning is the process of optimizing the speed and efficiency of queries and database operations in Microsoft Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance to reduce latency and improve throughput.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This DP-300 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-300 exam.