- A
Encrypt sensitive columns using cell-level encryption with keys stored in Azure Key Vault and rotate keys manually every 90 days.
Why wrong: Cell-level encryption requires manual rotation and does not scale well.
- B
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with service-managed keys in Azure SQL Database.
Why wrong: Service-managed keys do not allow customer control or automatic rotation.
- C
Enable TDE with customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault and set a key rotation policy in Key Vault to rotate the key every 90 days.
TDE with customer-managed keys supports automatic rotation via Key Vault lifecycle policies.
- D
Use Always Encrypted with column master keys stored in Azure Key Vault and configure key rotation in the application code.
Why wrong: Always Encrypted requires application-level handling and does not support automatic key rotation without custom logic.
Quick Answer
The correct approach is to enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys stored in Azure Key Vault and configure a key rotation policy within Key Vault to automatically rotate the key every 90 days. This works because TDE with customer-managed keys (CMK) encrypts the database encryption key itself using a key you control in Azure Key Vault, and Key Vault’s built-in rotation policy can be set to a specific time interval—like 90 days—without requiring any application code changes or manual intervention. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to separate key management from the database service while meeting compliance-driven rotation schedules; a common trap is assuming you must rotate the database’s TDE protector manually or through SQL commands, but Azure Key Vault handles the rotation automatically when a policy is set. Remember the mnemonic: “TDE + CMK + KV rotation = set and forget.”
SC-100 Design a strategy for data and applications Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design a strategy for data and applications. 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.
A company uses Azure App Service to host a web application that stores sensitive data in Azure SQL Database. The security team requires that data at rest in the database be encrypted using a customer-managed key stored in Azure Key Vault. The key must be rotated automatically every 90 days. What is the recommended approach to meet these requirements?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Enable TDE with customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault and set a key rotation policy in Key Vault to rotate the key every 90 days.
Option C is correct because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) in Azure Key Vault meets the requirement for encrypting data at rest in Azure SQL Database using a key controlled by the customer. Azure Key Vault supports automatic key rotation policies that can be set to rotate the key every 90 days, satisfying the rotation requirement without manual intervention or application code changes.
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.
- ✗
Encrypt sensitive columns using cell-level encryption with keys stored in Azure Key Vault and rotate keys manually every 90 days.
Why it's wrong here
Cell-level encryption requires manual rotation and does not scale well.
- ✗
Enable Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with service-managed keys in Azure SQL Database.
Why it's wrong here
Service-managed keys do not allow customer control or automatic rotation.
- ✓
Enable TDE with customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault and set a key rotation policy in Key Vault to rotate the key every 90 days.
Why this is correct
TDE with customer-managed keys supports automatic rotation via Key Vault lifecycle policies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Always Encrypted with column master keys stored in Azure Key Vault and configure key rotation in the application code.
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted requires application-level handling and does not support automatic key rotation without custom logic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing data-at-rest encryption (TDE) with column-level encryption (Always Encrypted or cell-level encryption), leading candidates to pick options that encrypt only specific columns or require application changes, rather than the simpler, database-wide TDE approach with automatic key rotation in Key Vault.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TDE with customer-managed keys uses an asymmetric key stored in Azure Key Vault as the TDE protector, which encrypts the database encryption key (DEK). The automatic key rotation in Key Vault uses a key rotation policy that can be configured with a rotation period (e.g., P90D for 90 days) and triggers a new key version, which Azure SQL Database automatically uses without downtime. In a real-world scenario, this ensures compliance with regulatory standards like PCI DSS or GDPR that require periodic key rotation and customer control over encryption keys.
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
Design a strategy for data and applications — This question tests Design a strategy for data and applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable TDE with customer-managed keys in Azure Key Vault and set a key rotation policy in Key Vault to rotate the key every 90 days. — Option C is correct because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) in Azure Key Vault meets the requirement for encrypting data at rest in Azure SQL Database using a key controlled by the customer. Azure Key Vault supports automatic key rotation policies that can be set to rotate the key every 90 days, satisfying the rotation requirement without manual intervention or application code changes.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SC-100 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 SC-100 exam.
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