The correct answer is to use Azure Key Vault key rotation policy to automatically rotate the key every 90 days. This works because Azure Key Vault allows you to define a rotation policy that automatically creates a new key version at a specified interval, and Azure SQL Database TDE with customer-managed keys automatically uses the latest version of the key from the vault without requiring any manual updates to the database or its TDE protector. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of minimizing administrative overhead while meeting strict compliance requirements; a common trap is thinking you need to manually update the TDE protector in SQL Database after each rotation, but the service handles versioning automatically. Remember the memory tip: “Set it and forget it” — configure the Key Vault rotation policy once, and Azure SQL Database will seamlessly adopt the new key version, keeping your 90-day rotation mandate satisfied with zero ongoing effort.
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.
Your company requires that all Azure SQL Databases use Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) stored in Azure Key Vault. The security policy mandates that the key must be rotated every 90 days. You need to implement this requirement with minimal administrative overhead. What should you do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Azure Key Vault key rotation policy to automatically rotate the key every 90 days
Option D is correct because Azure Key Vault supports automatic key rotation policies that can be configured to rotate a customer-managed key (CMK) every 90 days without any manual intervention. When this key is used for TDE in Azure SQL Database, the database automatically uses the latest version of the key from Key Vault, so no additional steps are needed to update the database after rotation. This satisfies the security policy with minimal administrative overhead.
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.
✗
Manually rotate the key in Key Vault every 90 days and update the database
Why it's wrong here
Manual rotation is not minimal overhead.
✗
Use Azure SQL Database server-side TDE with a service-managed key
Why it's wrong here
Service-managed key does not meet the CMK requirement.
✗
Store the key in the database and use a custom rotation script
Why it's wrong here
Storing keys in the database is not secure and not supported.
✓
Use Azure Key Vault key rotation policy to automatically rotate the key every 90 days
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse automatic key rotation in Key Vault with manual rotation or service-managed keys, failing to recognize that Azure Key Vault's built-in rotation policy directly satisfies the CMK and rotation requirements with zero administrative overhead.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Key Vault's automatic key rotation policy uses a time-based trigger (e.g., 90 days) to create a new key version while retaining the old version for decryption of existing data. TDE in Azure SQL Database uses the key encryption key (KEK) from Key Vault to protect the database encryption key (DEK); when the KEK is rotated, the DEK is re-encrypted with the new key version automatically by the service, ensuring seamless compliance with rotation policies. In a real-world scenario, this eliminates the risk of expired keys causing database unavailability or manual scripting errors.
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: Use Azure Key Vault key rotation policy to automatically rotate the key every 90 days — Option D is correct because Azure Key Vault supports automatic key rotation policies that can be configured to rotate a customer-managed key (CMK) every 90 days without any manual intervention. When this key is used for TDE in Azure SQL Database, the database automatically uses the latest version of the key from Key Vault, so no additional steps are needed to update the database after rotation. This satisfies the security policy with minimal administrative overhead.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.