DP-300 Implement a secure environment Practice Question
You are configuring authentication for Azure SQL Database. Which TWO of the following are supported authentication methods?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse supported authentication methods for Azure SQL Database with those available for on-premises SQL Server, mistakenly selecting Windows authentication or certificate-based SQL logins, which are not supported in Azure SQL Database.
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
✓
Microsoft Entra ID authentication with a service principal.
Microsoft Entra ID authentication with a service principal is supported in Azure SQL Database. A service principal is an identity created for use with applications, hosted services, and automated tools to access Azure resources, and it can authenticate to Azure SQL Database using Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) tokens. This method enables secure, non-interactive authentication for applications and automation scenarios.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Windows authentication using Kerberos.
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database does not support Windows authentication.
- ✓
Microsoft Entra ID authentication with a service principal.
Why this is correct
Service principals in Microsoft Entra ID can authenticate to Azure SQL Database.
- ✗
OAuth 2.0 token authentication.
Why it's wrong here
OAuth tokens are used internally by Microsoft Entra ID but not as a separate authentication method.
- ✓
SQL authentication with a username and password.
Why this is correct
SQL authentication is supported, though Microsoft Entra ID is recommended.
- ✗
Certificate-based authentication for SQL logins.
Why it's wrong here
SQL logins use username/password; certificates are not used for login.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Overview of Azure Data Platform Options
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.
Key term
Azure SQL Authentication
Azure SQL Authentication is the process of verifying a user's identity to access an Azure SQL database using either a username and password (SQL Authentication) or a Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) identity.
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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.