DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
You have an Azure SQL Database that uses a managed identity to access Azure Key Vault for storing column master keys. You need to automate the rotation of the column master key using Azure Automation. Which steps should you include in the runbook?
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
✓
Authenticate using Connect-AzAccount -Identity, then use Set-AzKeyVaultKey to create a new key version, and update the column encryption key using Invoke-SqlCmd.
The runbook must authenticate to Key Vault using the managed identity, create a new key, update the column encryption key, and then clean up. Options A and B miss authentication steps. Option D incorrectly uses connection strings.
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 PowerShell cmdlets without authentication; the runbook runs under the Automation account's identity.
Why it's wrong here
The runbook must explicitly authenticate using Connect-AzAccount -Identity.
- ✗
Use the SQL Server Management Objects (SMO) to rotate the key directly from the runbook without Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
SMO cannot rotate keys stored in Key Vault.
- ✓
Authenticate using Connect-AzAccount -Identity, then use Set-AzKeyVaultKey to create a new key version, and update the column encryption key using Invoke-SqlCmd.
Why this is correct
Managed identity authentication is secure and automated.
- ✗
Use the Key Vault REST API with a client secret stored in the runbook.
Why it's wrong here
Using a client secret defeats the purpose of managed identity.
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.
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