The answer is to configure diagnostic settings to send SQL security audit events to Log Analytics. This is correct because Azure SQL Database server-level auditing captures both successful and failed login attempts, and by routing those audit logs through diagnostic settings to a Log Analytics workspace, you meet compliance requirements for centralized analysis and long-term retention. On the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between server-level auditing and per-database auditing, as well as the integration of diagnostic settings with Log Analytics. A common trap is assuming you need to enable auditing separately on each database or that audit logs must be stored in a storage account; in reality, server-level auditing with a Log Analytics destination covers all databases on that server. Remember the mnemonic “SAD Logs” — Server-level Auditing to Diagnostic settings sends logs to Log Analytics.
DP-300 Plan and implement data platform resources Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
You need to audit all successful and failed login attempts to an Azure SQL Database server for compliance. The audit logs must be stored in a Log Analytics workspace for analysis and retention. Which two actions should you perform? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable auditing on the Azure SQL Database server and configure the audit destination as Log Analytics.
Option B is correct because Azure SQL Database server-level auditing can be configured to send audit logs directly to a Log Analytics workspace, which is required for compliance analysis and retention. This captures both successful and failed login attempts at the server level, meeting the audit requirement without needing per-database configuration.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 SQL Server Audit to capture login events.
Why it's wrong here
Azure SQL Database uses built-in auditing, not SQL Server Audit.
✓
Enable auditing on the Azure SQL Database server and configure the audit destination as Log Analytics.
Why this is correct
Auditing can send logs to Log Analytics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Configure diagnostic settings to send the SQL security audit events to Log Analytics.
Why this is correct
Diagnostic settings route audit logs to Log Analytics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable auditing on each database individually.
Why it's wrong here
Server-level auditing covers all databases; database-level auditing is optional.
✗
Enable login auditing by running ALTER SERVER CONFIGURATION SET AUDIT_LOGIN_EVENTS.
Why it's wrong here
Login auditing is automatically enabled with auditing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse on-premises SQL Server audit commands (like ALTER SERVER CONFIGURATION) with Azure SQL Database's cloud-native auditing, which requires diagnostic settings or server-level audit configuration, not T-SQL commands.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure SQL Database auditing works at the server level via the Azure SQL Database server resource, not at the instance level like on-premises SQL Server. When configured to send to Log Analytics, audit logs are streamed via Azure Monitor diagnostic settings, which can be retained for up to 2 years by default or longer with custom retention policies. This integration allows for advanced querying and alerting using Kusto Query Language (KQL) in Log Analytics.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable auditing on the Azure SQL Database server and configure the audit destination as Log Analytics. — Option B is correct because Azure SQL Database server-level auditing can be configured to send audit logs directly to a Log Analytics workspace, which is required for compliance analysis and retention. This captures both successful and failed login attempts at the server level, meeting the audit requirement without needing per-database configuration.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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