DP-300 Implement a secure environment Practice Question
You manage an Azure SQL Database that contains a table with sensitive columns. You need to ensure that a specific application can access the data in those columns in plaintext, while other applications see ciphertext. You also need to minimize changes to the application code. What should you implement?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is thinking that TDE or dynamic data masking can provide selective plaintext access; only Always Encrypted gives different views based on key possession.
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
✓
Always Encrypted with column encryption keys and a column master key.
Always Encrypted is designed to protect sensitive data by allowing clients to encrypt and decrypt data transparently. With Always Encrypted, the application that possesses the column master key can decrypt the data, while others see ciphertext. The application code changes are minimal, often just connection string modifications. This solution provides the required selective access without significant code changes.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Always Encrypted with column encryption keys and a column master key.
Why this is correct
Always Encrypted allows clients to encrypt sensitive data and decrypt it transparently. By configuring the application with the appropriate column master key and column encryption key, it can access plaintext, while other applications without the keys see ciphertext. The application code requires minimal changes—typically just adding 'Column Encryption Setting=Enabled' to the connection string and using parameters for queries. This meets the requirements.
- ✗
Dynamic data masking on the sensitive columns.
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic data masking hides sensitive data in query results but does not encrypt the data at rest. It also does not provide plaintext access to a specific application based on connection string; masking rules apply based on user permissions. This option would not allow one application to see plaintext while others see ciphertext, and it does not minimize code changes for encryption.
- ✗
Always Encrypted with secure enclaves.
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted with secure enclaves enables rich computations on encrypted data, but it requires the client application to use a driver that supports enclaves and to configure attestation. It also requires schema changes and application code changes to handle encryption metadata. While it provides plaintext access to authorized clients, it does not minimize code changes as required.
- ✗
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with a customer-managed key.
Why it's wrong here
TDE encrypts the entire database at rest, but it does not provide selective plaintext access to specific applications. All applications connecting to the database see the same data in plaintext because TDE decryption is transparent. This option does not meet the requirement of having different applications see different representations of the data, and it does not minimize code changes for selective encryption.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Managing Identity and Access for Azure SQL
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
One of 574 original DP-300 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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.