The answer is that you must create a predicate function and then create a security policy that uses it. This is correct because row-level security in Azure SQL Database relies on a security policy object that invokes an inline table-valued function, known as the predicate function, to enforce row filtering. The predicate function uses the IS_MEMBER() function to check the caller’s Microsoft Entra ID group membership, dynamically restricting which rows are visible based on that group. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how RLS integrates with Azure AD groups, often appearing as a multi-step implementation question where a common trap is to forget that the security policy itself is a separate required object from the function. A useful memory tip is “function first, policy second” — you cannot create the security policy without first defining the predicate function that contains the group-checking logic.
DP-300 Implement a secure environment Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of implement a secure environment. 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.
Your company uses Azure SQL Database and wants to implement row-level security (RLS) to restrict access to customer data based on the user's Microsoft Entra ID group membership. Which TWO actions are required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a security policy that uses a predicate function.
Row-level security (RLS) in Azure SQL Database restricts data access at the row level by using a security policy that invokes a predicate function. The predicate function defines the logic for filtering rows, such as checking the caller's Microsoft Entra ID group membership via IS_MEMBER(). Therefore, creating both the predicate function (Option E) and the security policy that uses it (Option C) are required steps.
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.
✗
Create a column master key for the secured columns.
Why it's wrong here
Column master keys are for Always Encrypted, not RLS.
✗
Grant the user the db_securityadmin server role.
Why it's wrong here
Server roles are not required for RLS.
✓
Create a security policy that uses a predicate function.
Why this is correct
A security policy enforces the predicate.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Apply a dynamic data masking rule to hide sensitive columns.
Why it's wrong here
DDM masks data, it does not filter rows.
✓
Create a predicate function that filters rows based on the user's group membership.
Why this is correct
The predicate function defines the filter logic.
Related concept
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 confuse row-level security with dynamic data masking or Always Encrypted, assuming that hiding or encrypting columns is equivalent to restricting row access, but RLS specifically filters rows based on user attributes, not column-level protection.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The predicate function in RLS must be an inline table-valued function that returns a filtered result set based on the current user's context, often using functions like USER_NAME() or IS_MEMBER(). The security policy binds this function to a table, and the predicate is evaluated for every row during query execution, which can impact performance on large tables if not indexed properly. A common real-world scenario is a multi-tenant database where each tenant's data is isolated by a TenantId column, and the predicate filters rows where TenantId matches the user's assigned tenant group.
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: Create a security policy that uses a predicate function. — Row-level security (RLS) in Azure SQL Database restricts data access at the row level by using a security policy that invokes a predicate function. The predicate function defines the logic for filtering rows, such as checking the caller's Microsoft Entra ID group membership via IS_MEMBER(). Therefore, creating both the predicate function (Option E) and the security policy that uses it (Option C) are required steps.
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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