The answer is that the previous key version was disabled or deleted in Azure Key Vault. This is correct because when Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) uses customer-managed keys, each database operation binds to a specific key version at the time it starts; long-running queries that began before the key rotation still reference the old key version for decryption. If that version is disabled or deleted during rotation, those in-flight operations cannot access the key and fail with encryption errors, as the database cannot dynamically switch key versions mid-operation. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of TDE with AKV integration and the critical distinction between key version availability and key rotation—a common trap is assuming rotation alone is sufficient without preserving the previous version. Remember the mnemonic: “Old queries need old keys; delete the old, break the hold.”
DP-300 Implement a secure environment Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of implement a secure environment. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Your company has a strict policy that Azure SQL Database backups must be encrypted with customer-managed keys stored in Azure Key Vault. You configure TDE with AKV integration. After a key rotation, you find that long-running queries start failing with encryption errors. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The previous key version was disabled or deleted in AKV.
When TDE is configured with Azure Key Vault (AKV) integration, the database uses the current key version from AKV to encrypt and decrypt data. If the previous key version is disabled or deleted during a key rotation, any long-running queries that still rely on that specific key version for decryption will fail with encryption errors. The database cannot automatically fall back to the new key version for in-flight operations that started before the rotation.
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.
✗
The service principal used for AKV access has expired.
Why it's wrong here
Permission issues would cause access denied errors, not encryption errors.
✓
The previous key version was disabled or deleted in AKV.
Why this is correct
TDE requires all previous key versions to be enabled to decrypt existing data.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The new key is in a different Azure region than the database.
Why it's wrong here
AKV keys can be in any region; region mismatch is not an issue.
✗
The database is using service-managed TDE and cannot switch to customer-managed keys.
Why it's wrong here
The error occurred after rotation, not during initial setup.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume key rotation is seamless and never causes failures, overlooking that disabling or deleting the previous key version can break in-flight operations that still depend on it.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, TDE with AKV integration uses the key encryption key (KEK) stored in AKV to protect the database encryption key (DEK). When a key version is rotated, the database continues to use the old KEK version for decrypting data that was encrypted with it until the DEK is re-encrypted with the new KEK version. Long-running queries that started before the rotation may still reference the old KEK version; if that version is disabled or deleted, the database cannot unwrap the DEK, causing encryption errors. This behavior is governed by the TDE key hierarchy and the AKV key versioning mechanism.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Implement a secure environment — This question tests Implement a secure environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The previous key version was disabled or deleted in AKV. — When TDE is configured with Azure Key Vault (AKV) integration, the database uses the current key version from AKV to encrypt and decrypt data. If the previous key version is disabled or deleted during a key rotation, any long-running queries that still rely on that specific key version for decryption will fail with encryption errors. The database cannot automatically fall back to the new key version for in-flight operations that started before the rotation.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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