Quick Answer
The answer is Always Encrypted and column-level security. Always Encrypted is correct because it encrypts sensitive columns like credit card numbers at the client-side, ensuring the data remains encrypted at rest, in transit, and during processing, which prevents unauthorized users—including database administrators—from viewing the plaintext data, while authorized applications with the column encryption key can decrypt it transparently. Column-level security complements this by restricting which users can access specific columns, adding a granular permission layer. On the DP-300 exam, this pairing tests your understanding that Always Encrypted handles cryptographic protection, while column-level security enforces access control; a common trap is confusing Always Encrypted with Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), which only encrypts data at rest and does not prevent DBAs from seeing plaintext. Memory tip: think “Always Encrypted = client-side cipher, column-level security = who sees what.”
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of plan and implement data platform resources. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 secure an Azure SQL Database. The requirements are: (1) encrypt sensitive columns such as credit card numbers, (2) prevent unauthorized users from seeing the full credit card number even if they have access to the database, and (3) allow authorized applications to decrypt the data. Which two features should you implement? (Choose TWO.)
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Why wrong: TDE encrypts at rest, not column-level.
Dynamic Data Masking
Why wrong: Only masks data, not encryption.
Always Encrypted
Encrypts specific columns and keeps data encrypted from DB engine.
Row-level security
Why wrong: Restricts rows, not columns.
Column-level security
Restricts access to columns.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Always Encrypted
Always Encrypted is correct because it encrypts sensitive columns like credit card numbers at the client-side, ensuring the data remains encrypted at rest, in transit, and during processing. This prevents unauthorized users, including database administrators, from viewing the plaintext data, while authorized applications with the column encryption key can decrypt it transparently.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
Why it's wrong here
TDE encrypts at rest, not column-level.
Dynamic Data Masking
Why it's wrong here
Only masks data, not encryption.
Always Encrypted
Why this is correct
Encrypts specific columns and keeps data encrypted from DB engine.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Row-level security
Why it's wrong here
Restricts rows, not columns.
Column-level security
Why this is correct
Restricts access to columns.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Dynamic Data Masking with encryption, assuming obfuscation provides the same security as Always Encrypted, but masking does not protect data from privileged users or direct database access.
Detailed technical explanation
Always Encrypted uses two keys: a column encryption key (CEK) that encrypts the column data, and a column master key (CMK) that protects the CEK. The CMK is stored outside SQL Server (e.g., in Azure Key Vault or Windows Certificate Store), ensuring that the database engine never has access to the plaintext encryption keys. This design enforces that only client applications with the correct CMK can decrypt the data, even if an attacker gains full control of the database server.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
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FAQ
Plan and implement data platform resources — This question tests Plan and implement data platform resources — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Always Encrypted — Always Encrypted is correct because it encrypts sensitive columns like credit card numbers at the client-side, ensuring the data remains encrypted at rest, in transit, and during processing. This prevents unauthorized users, including database administrators, from viewing the plaintext data, while authorized applications with the column encryption key can decrypt it transparently.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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