The correct answer is Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and enforcing TLS connections. TDE automatically encrypts the entire database at rest, including backups and log files, by using a database encryption key stored in the master database, while enforcing TLS ensures all data in transit between the client and server is encrypted using Transport Layer Security. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this distinction tests your understanding of layered encryption controls, with a common trap being to confuse Always Encrypted—which protects specific sensitive columns at the application layer—with TDE’s full-database-at-rest encryption. Remember the memory tip: “TDE for the whole bed, TLS for the road ahead.”
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. 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 ensure that Azure SQL Database always encrypts data at rest and in transit. Which features should you enable?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "always"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and enforce TLS connections
Option B is correct because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) encrypts data at rest, and enforcing TLS encrypts data in transit. Option A is wrong because Always Encrypted encrypts specific columns, not the entire database. Option C is wrong because Azure Defender for SQL provides threat detection. Option D is wrong because firewall rules control access.
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.
✗
Firewall rules and Azure Active Directory authentication
Why it's wrong here
These control access, not encryption.
✓
Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and enforce TLS connections
Why this is correct
TDE encrypts data at rest; enforcing TLS encrypts data in transit.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "always" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Always Encrypted and firewall rules
Why it's wrong here
Always Encrypted is for column-level encryption, not at rest for entire database.
✗
Azure Defender for SQL and vulnerability assessment
Why it's wrong here
These are security monitoring features, not encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 SC-100 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-100 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Design security solutions for infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) and enforce TLS connections — Option B is correct because Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) encrypts data at rest, and enforcing TLS encrypts data in transit. Option A is wrong because Always Encrypted encrypts specific columns, not the entire database. Option C is wrong because Azure Defender for SQL provides threat detection. Option D is wrong because firewall rules control access.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Identify which SC-100 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "always". Absolute qualifier. An answer using 'always' is only correct if there are genuinely no exceptions — absolute statements are often wrong in networking.
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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