DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
You have an Azure SQL Database that needs to be backed up daily using Azure Automation runbooks. The runbook must trigger an export of the database to a storage account. How should you configure the runbook to authenticate securely to Azure?
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
✓
Enable a system-assigned managed identity for the Automation account
Managed Identity (system-assigned or user-assigned) is the recommended secure authentication method for Azure Automation runbooks, avoiding stored credentials. Option A uses credentials stored in the runbook, which is less secure. Option B uses automation account credentials, which still requires key management. Option D is not a valid type.
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 a shared access signature (SAS) token stored in the runbook
Why it's wrong here
SAS tokens can expire and are not recommended for automated authentication.
- ✗
Use Automation Account credential assets
Why it's wrong here
While credential assets are more secure than plain text, they still require key management.
- ✓
Enable a system-assigned managed identity for the Automation account
Why this is correct
Managed identities provide secure authentication without storing credentials.
- ✗
Store the SQL admin credentials as variables in the runbook
Why it's wrong here
Storing credentials in variables is insecure and not recommended.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Configuring Automation Tasks for Database Administration
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.
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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.