Microsoft AZ-500 Azure Security Technologies Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 9 Q161-180

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Question 161:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are only accessible by verified users for a limited time and that all administrative access attempts are auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access
B) Network Security Groups only
C) Azure Policy
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access

Explanation:

Just-in-Time (JIT) VM Access within Azure Defender for Servers provides dynamic control over administrative ports such as SSH and RDP, reducing exposure to potential attacks. By default, these ports are closed to the public, minimizing the attack surface. When a verified user needs access, they submit a request specifying the source IP and access duration. After the specified period, the ports automatically close, eliminating unnecessary exposure.

Auditing is a critical feature of JIT access. Each request is logged with user identity, source IP, time of request, duration, and port accessed. These logs can be integrated into Azure Monitor or Azure Sentinel, allowing security teams to detect unusual access patterns, investigate incidents, and maintain regulatory compliance. JIT enables organizations to enforce least-privilege access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can connect to virtual machines during approved time windows.

Network Security Groups cannot dynamically open ports or provide temporal access control. Azure Policy enforces configuration compliance but does not manage runtime access. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not handle VM access.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with JIT VM Access strengthens operational security, aligns with zero-trust principles, and reduces administrative overhead by automating access controls. It also ensures visibility and accountability for all administrative actions. Detailed logs provide a complete audit trail, supporting compliance requirements and enabling proactive monitoring. By limiting the exposure of critical ports, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of brute-force attacks and unauthorized access, ensuring robust protection for Azure workloads.

Question 162:

You need to ensure that Azure SQL Databases are encrypted at rest using keys controlled by your organization and that key usage is auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys

Explanation:

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) ensures that all database files, backups, and replicas are encrypted using keys under the organization’s control. CMK are stored in Azure Key Vault and allow administrators to manage the full lifecycle of keys, including creation, rotation, and revocation. This provides governance over encryption operations, ensuring that sensitive data remains protected in accordance with regulatory standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.

Auditing key operations is crucial for compliance and security. Logs capture who performed the operation, the type of operation, timestamp, and result. This enables detection of unauthorized key usage, investigation of anomalies, and reporting for regulatory compliance. TDE with CMK ensures encryption consistency across all database resources, including replicas and automated backups, providing end-to-end data protection.

Network Security Groups control network traffic but do not provide encryption or key auditing. Azure Policy can audit whether encryption is enabled but cannot enforce encryption or track real-time key operations. Azure Key Vault secures the keys but does not automatically encrypt databases without integration with TDE.

Implementing Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys strengthens data governance and protection. Detailed logging enables security teams to monitor key usage, detect anomalies, and demonstrate compliance. Integration with Azure Security Center allows continuous monitoring, alerting, and reporting, reducing operational risk and ensuring that encryption policies are consistently applied. This approach ensures sensitive data remains encrypted, auditable, and under organizational control, improving security posture and operational governance.

Question 163:

You need to detect and respond to risky sign-in activity in Azure Active Directory, including impossible travel and access from unfamiliar devices. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation

Explanation:

Azure AD Identity Protection provides continuous monitoring and risk evaluation of user sign-ins. Suspicious behaviors, such as impossible travel between locations, access from unfamiliar devices, or multiple failed login attempts, are flagged as high-risk events. Risk levels are assigned to each event to help security teams prioritize remediation.

Automated risk remediation allows predefined conditional access policies to take effect based on the detected risk. High-risk sign-ins can trigger multi-factor authentication, block access, or require password resets. Logs capture detailed information, including user identity, location, device, timestamp, and risk score, enabling auditing, investigation, and regulatory reporting. Integration with Azure Sentinel allows automated correlation, alerting, and incident response workflows.

Network Security Groups cannot monitor authentication behaviors or respond to identity risks. Azure Policy enforces resource compliance but cannot monitor real-time sign-ins. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not detect risky sign-in activity.

Implementing Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation strengthens identity security and reduces the risk of account compromise. Automated remediation minimizes administrative workload, ensures only verified users access resources, and maintains detailed audit trails for all risky sign-ins. Organizations can rapidly detect anomalies, respond proactively, and enforce governance over identity access. This approach supports zero-trust principles and enhances operational security and compliance readiness for Azure Active Directory environments.

Question 164:

You need to ensure that Azure Storage accounts are accessible only from trusted networks and that all access attempts are logged for auditing purposes. Which solution should you implement?

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled

Explanation:

Azure Storage accounts offer network-level access control through firewall rules and virtual network integration. This allows administrators to restrict access to specific subnets or IP ranges, preventing unauthorized access and mitigating the risk of data exfiltration. By blocking public internet access, organizations reduce their exposure to external threats.

Enabling logging ensures that all access attempts are recorded, including user identity, operation type, resource accessed, source IP, and timestamp. Logs can be exported to Log Analytics, Event Hubs, or storage accounts for auditing, compliance, and forensic investigation. Security teams can analyze logs to detect anomalies, investigate suspicious activity, and respond proactively. Integration with Azure Sentinel enables automated alerting and workflow-driven incident response.

Network Security Groups filter traffic at the subnet or VM level but cannot provide storage account-specific access control or logging. Azure Policy can audit storage configurations but does not enforce real-time access or logging. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not control storage account access.

Implementing storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging ensures strong isolation for storage resources while providing full visibility into access attempts. This minimizes operational risk, enforces least-privilege access, and supports regulatory compliance. Continuous monitoring and auditing allow security teams to detect and respond to unauthorized activity promptly, enhancing operational governance and securing sensitive data in Azure Storage accounts.

Question 165:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are continuously protected from malware and ransomware, and that any detected threats generate alerts for the security team. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection

Explanation:

Azure Defender for Servers provides real-time endpoint protection for virtual machines, continuously monitoring files, system processes, and configurations for malware, ransomware, and suspicious activity. Alerts are generated for the security team to investigate and remediate threats quickly, reducing the likelihood of compromise and operational disruption.

The solution integrates with Microsoft Antimalware for Windows and equivalent Linux protection, providing cross-platform coverage. Alerts are centralized in Azure Security Center, offering a unified view of security incidents across subscriptions. Integration with SIEM tools like Azure Sentinel enables automated correlation, incident response workflows, and forensic investigations, improving operational efficiency and security posture.

Network Security Groups filter network traffic but cannot detect malware or monitor VM processes. Azure Policy enforces configuration compliance but does not provide runtime malware detection or alerting. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not protect virtual machines from malicious activity.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection ensures proactive threat detection, early alerting, and rapid response. Continuous monitoring reduces risk exposure while providing detailed logs for auditing, compliance, and operational governance. This approach enforces security best practices, maintains resilience against malware and ransomware, and provides full visibility into security events, strengthening overall enterprise security and operational control for Azure virtual machines.

Question 166:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are only accessible by approved users for a limited time and that all administrative access is logged for auditing purposes. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access
B) Network Security Groups only
C) Azure Policy
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access

Explanation:

Just-in-Time (JIT) VM Access is a feature of Azure Defender for Servers that provides dynamic control over administrative ports such as SSH and RDP. By default, these ports are closed to the public internet, reducing the attack surface for brute-force attacks and unauthorized access. When a verified user requires access, they submit a request specifying the source IP and duration. Once the requested window expires, the ports automatically close.

Auditing is a critical component of JIT. Every access request is logged with details including the requesting user, source IP address, port, and access duration. These logs can be integrated into Azure Monitor or Azure Sentinel to enable centralized alerting, forensic investigation, and compliance reporting. JIT ensures least-privilege access by restricting administrative access to only those who require it for specific tasks and limited durations.

Network Security Groups alone cannot provide temporary or auditable access. Azure Policy enforces configuration compliance but does not manage runtime access. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not handle VM administrative access.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with JIT VM Access strengthens operational security, aligns with zero-trust principles, and reduces administrative overhead. Temporary access ensures management ports are exposed only when necessary, preventing potential exploitation. Detailed logs provide a complete audit trail, supporting compliance and enabling proactive monitoring. This approach reduces operational risk, enhances governance, and ensures secure and controlled access to critical virtual machines.

Question 167:

You need to ensure that Azure SQL Databases are encrypted at rest using keys controlled by your organization, and that all encryption operations are fully auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys

Explanation:

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) ensures that all Azure SQL Database files, backups, and replicas are encrypted using keys that are under the control of the organization. CMK are stored in Azure Key Vault, giving administrators full control over key creation, rotation, revocation, and auditing. This setup allows organizations to maintain governance over encryption and align with compliance standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001.

Auditing key operations is crucial to detect unauthorized access and maintain accountability. Logs capture the identity performing the operation, the type of operation, timestamp, and result. This provides a clear trail for investigations, compliance reporting, and operational monitoring. TDE with CMK ensures that all database backups, replicas, and other copies are encrypted consistently, providing end-to-end protection.

Network Security Groups control traffic but do not encrypt data or provide auditing of key usage. Azure Policy can audit configurations but cannot enforce encryption or track runtime key operations. Azure Key Vault secures the keys themselves but does not automatically encrypt SQL databases without TDE integration.

By implementing Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys, organizations maintain complete control over encryption processes, ensuring sensitive data remains protected and auditable. Detailed logging enables monitoring of key usage, anomaly detection, and compliance reporting. Integration with Azure Security Center allows continuous monitoring, alerting, and governance, reducing operational risk and ensuring that encryption policies are consistently applied across all databases. This approach strengthens the security posture, maintains regulatory compliance, and ensures full operational visibility into encryption management.

Question 168:

You need to detect and respond to risky sign-ins in Azure Active Directory, including impossible travel and access from unfamiliar devices. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation

Explanation:

Azure AD Identity Protection provides real-time monitoring of user sign-ins and evaluates risk levels based on sign-in behavior. Suspicious activities such as impossible travel, access from unrecognized devices, or multiple failed login attempts are flagged as high-risk. Risk scores allow security teams to prioritize incidents and respond appropriately.

Automated risk remediation enables conditional access policies to act immediately based on risk detection. High-risk sign-ins can trigger multi-factor authentication, block access, or require password resets. Logs capture detailed information, including user identity, device, location, timestamp, and risk score. These logs support auditing, forensic investigations, and regulatory compliance. Integration with Azure Sentinel enables automated correlation with other security events, alerting, and incident response workflows.

Network Security Groups cannot monitor authentication events or respond to identity risks. Azure Policy enforces compliance but does not provide real-time detection. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not detect risky sign-ins.

Implementing Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation enhances identity security, reduces the risk of compromise, and supports zero-trust principles. Automated remediation minimizes administrative effort, ensures only verified users access resources, and provides full auditability. Organizations can detect anomalies quickly, respond proactively, and enforce governance over identity access, improving operational security and compliance readiness for Azure Active Directory environments.

Question 169:

You need to ensure that Azure Storage accounts are accessible only from specific virtual networks and that all access attempts are auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled

Explanation:

Azure Storage accounts provide network-level security through firewall rules and virtual network integration. Administrators can restrict access to specific subnets or IP addresses, preventing public internet access and reducing the risk of unauthorized access. This approach ensures that storage resources are only accessible from trusted networks.

Logging captures all access attempts, including the identity of the user, operation type, resource accessed, source IP, and timestamp. Logs can be exported to Log Analytics, Event Hubs, or storage accounts for auditing, compliance, and forensic investigations. Security teams can analyze logs to detect anomalies, investigate suspicious activity, and respond proactively. Integration with Azure Sentinel allows automated alerting and incident response workflows.

Network Security Groups can filter traffic at the subnet or VM level but cannot enforce storage account-level access or provide detailed logging. Azure Policy can audit configurations but does not enforce runtime access or logging. Azure Key Vault secures cryptographic keys but does not control storage account access.

Implementing storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging ensures strong isolation for storage resources while maintaining visibility into all access attempts. This minimizes operational risk, enforces least-privilege access, and supports regulatory compliance. Continuous monitoring allows security teams to detect and respond to unauthorized activity promptly, improving operational governance and protecting sensitive data in Azure Storage accounts.

Question 170:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are continuously protected against malware and ransomware, and that any detected threats generate alerts for the security team. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection

Explanation:

Azure Defender for Servers provides continuous endpoint monitoring and protection for virtual machines, detecting malware, ransomware, and suspicious activity in real time. Alerts are generated for the security team to investigate and remediate threats quickly, ensuring early detection and response before attacks can cause damage.

Integration with Microsoft Antimalware for Windows and equivalent Linux protection ensures cross-platform coverage. Alerts are centralized in Azure Security Center, providing a unified view of threat activity across subscriptions. Integration with SIEM tools like Azure Sentinel enables automated incident response workflows, correlation with other security events, and forensic investigation, improving operational efficiency and strengthening security posture.

Network Security Groups filter traffic but do not detect malware or monitor VM processes. Azure Policy enforces compliance but does not provide runtime malware detection or alerting. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not protect virtual machines from malicious activity.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection provides proactive threat detection, early alerting, and rapid response capabilities. Continuous monitoring reduces the risk of compromise, while centralized logging and alerting support operational governance and compliance. This approach enforces security best practices, maintains resilience against malware and ransomware, and provides full visibility into security events, strengthening enterprise security and operational control for Azure virtual machines.

Question 171:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are only accessible by authorized users for a limited duration and that administrative access is fully auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access
B) Network Security Groups only
C) Azure Policy
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access

Explanation:

Just-in-Time (JIT) VM Access is a feature of Azure Defender for Servers designed to dynamically control access to administrative ports such as RDP and SSH. By default, these ports remain closed, which reduces the attack surface and mitigates potential brute-force attacks or unauthorized access attempts. When a verified user requests access, they specify the source IP and duration. After the access window expires, the ports automatically close, ensuring that exposure is temporary and controlled.

JIT access includes detailed auditing, logging every access request with the requesting user’s identity, the port requested, source IP, and duration. This data can be integrated with Azure Monitor or Azure Sentinel, enabling centralized auditing, compliance reporting, and forensic analysis. These logs are crucial for tracking who accessed which virtual machine and when, which is essential for operational governance and regulatory compliance.

Network Security Groups (NSGs) cannot provide temporal or auditable access to VM management ports; they only enforce static traffic rules. Azure Policy enforces configuration compliance but does not provide runtime access control or auditing. Azure Key Vault secures keys and secrets but does not control VM administrative access.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with JIT VM Access strengthens operational security by reducing the attack surface, enforcing the principle of least privilege, and enabling zero-trust practices. Temporary access ensures ports are open only when necessary, while auditing provides visibility into every administrative action. Security teams can analyze logs to identify unusual activity or policy violations, supporting incident response and compliance. This approach mitigates risk, enhances governance, and ensures that critical VMs are accessed safely and transparently.

Question 172:

You need to ensure that Azure SQL Databases are encrypted at rest using keys controlled by your organization, and that all encryption and decryption operations are auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys

Explanation:

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) allows full encryption of Azure SQL Database files, backups, and replicas using keys controlled by the organization. CMK are stored in Azure Key Vault, enabling administrators to manage key lifecycle operations such as creation, rotation, and revocation. This approach ensures strong governance over encryption practices, aligning with compliance standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.

Auditing key operations is essential for maintaining accountability and detecting unauthorized actions. Logs include user identity, operation type, timestamp, and result, allowing administrators to track all encryption and decryption activities. This audit trail supports compliance reporting, forensic investigation, and operational monitoring. TDE with CMK ensures encryption is consistent across all database assets, providing end-to-end protection and operational security.

Network Security Groups manage traffic but do not encrypt data or provide key auditing. Azure Policy can audit configurations but cannot enforce encryption or capture real-time key usage. Azure Key Vault alone secures keys but does not encrypt databases without TDE integration.

Implementing Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys strengthens data security, maintains full control over encryption processes, and ensures that sensitive information is protected and auditable. Detailed logging enables detection of anomalies, enforcement of organizational policies, and demonstration of regulatory compliance. Integration with Azure Security Center provides continuous monitoring and alerting, enhancing operational governance and reducing the risk of data compromise. This ensures that encryption practices are robust, auditable, and consistently applied across all SQL databases.

Question 173:

You need to detect and respond to risky sign-in activity in Azure Active Directory, including impossible travel and access from unfamiliar devices. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation

Explanation:

Azure AD Identity Protection provides real-time monitoring and risk evaluation for user sign-ins. It identifies suspicious behavior, such as impossible travel between geographic locations, sign-ins from unrecognized devices, and multiple failed login attempts. Each risk is assigned a severity score to prioritize responses.

Automated risk remediation allows organizations to enforce conditional access policies based on detected risks. High-risk sign-ins can trigger multi-factor authentication, block access, or require password resets. Detailed logs capture the user identity, device, location, timestamp, and risk score, supporting auditing, forensic analysis, and compliance reporting. Integration with Azure Sentinel enables automated workflow orchestration, correlation of security events, and alerting for rapid incident response.

Network Security Groups cannot monitor authentication behavior or respond to identity risks. Azure Policy enforces configuration compliance but does not detect real-time risky sign-ins. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not provide identity threat detection or automated remediation.

Implementing Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation strengthens identity security, reduces the likelihood of account compromise, and aligns with zero-trust principles. Automated remediation minimizes administrative effort while ensuring that only verified users gain access. Detailed audit trails provide transparency and accountability, enabling proactive monitoring and incident response. Organizations can detect anomalies quickly, enforce governance over identity access, and maintain compliance with security standards, improving overall operational control for Azure Active Directory environments.

Question 174:

You need to ensure that Azure Storage accounts are only accessible from trusted networks and that all access attempts are logged for auditing purposes. Which solution should you implement?

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled

Explanation:

Azure Storage accounts provide network-level security through firewall rules and virtual network integration. Administrators can restrict access to specific subnets or IP addresses, blocking public internet access. This ensures that storage resources are only accessible from trusted environments, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data exfiltration.

Logging is critical for auditing and compliance. Logs capture user identity, operation type, resource accessed, source IP, and timestamp. Logs can be exported to Log Analytics, Event Hubs, or storage accounts for analysis and monitoring. Security teams can review logs to detect anomalies, investigate suspicious activity, and respond proactively to potential security incidents. Integration with Azure Sentinel enables automated alerting and incident response workflows.

Network Security Groups control traffic at the subnet or VM level but do not provide storage account-level access control or detailed logging. Azure Policy can audit configurations but cannot enforce real-time access or provide operational visibility. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not manage storage account access.

Implementing storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging ensures strong isolation for storage resources while maintaining full visibility into access attempts. This approach minimizes operational risk, enforces least-privilege access, and supports regulatory compliance. Continuous monitoring allows security teams to respond quickly to unauthorized access attempts, enhancing operational governance and protecting sensitive data in Azure Storage accounts.

Question 175:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are continuously protected against malware and ransomware, and that any detected threats generate alerts for the security team. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection

Explanation:

Azure Defender for Servers provides continuous endpoint protection for virtual machines, monitoring system processes, files, and configurations for malware, ransomware, and suspicious activity. Alerts are generated for the security team to investigate and remediate threats promptly, ensuring that potential incidents are detected and mitigated early.

The solution integrates with Microsoft Antimalware for Windows and equivalent solutions for Linux, providing cross-platform coverage. Alerts are centralized in Azure Security Center, providing a unified view of threat activity across subscriptions. Integration with SIEM tools like Azure Sentinel enables automated incident response workflows, correlation of security events, and forensic investigation, improving operational efficiency and overall security posture.

Network Security Groups filter traffic but cannot detect malware or monitor VM processes. Azure Policy enforces compliance but does not provide runtime malware detection or alerting. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not protect virtual machines from malicious activity.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection ensures proactive threat detection, early alerting, and rapid response capabilities. Continuous monitoring reduces the risk of compromise, while centralized logging and alerting support operational governance and compliance. This approach enforces security best practices, maintains resilience against malware and ransomware, and provides full visibility into security events, strengthening the overall enterprise security posture and operational control for Azure virtual machines.

Question 176:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are only accessible by approved users for a limited time, and that all administrative access attempts are auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access
B) Network Security Groups only
C) Azure Policy
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with Just-in-Time VM Access

Explanation:

Just-in-Time (JIT) VM Access, part of Azure Defender for Servers, is designed to dynamically manage administrative access to virtual machines, such as SSH for Linux or RDP for Windows. By default, the administrative ports remain closed, significantly reducing the attack surface and minimizing the risk of brute-force or unauthorized access. When a verified user requests access, they specify the source IP and duration of access. After the allotted time, the ports automatically close, ensuring temporary and controlled exposure.

Auditing is a key feature of JIT. Every access request is logged with details such as user identity, requested port, source IP, and time of access. Logs can be integrated with Azure Monitor or Azure Sentinel for centralized auditing, monitoring, and compliance reporting. These logs provide a complete trail for incident investigation, allowing organizations to verify that only authorized personnel accessed the virtual machines and for how long.

Network Security Groups provide static traffic filtering but cannot manage temporary, auditable access to management ports. Azure Policy enforces configuration compliance but cannot dynamically control runtime access. Azure Key Vault secures secrets and keys but does not provide VM access management.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with JIT VM Access enhances operational security, aligns with zero-trust principles, and reduces administrative overhead. Temporary access ensures that management ports are exposed only when needed, minimizing risk. Detailed logging supports governance, auditing, and regulatory compliance. By combining dynamic access control with continuous monitoring, organizations can ensure secure, auditable, and controlled administrative access to critical virtual machines, strengthening overall operational security and resilience.

Question 177:

You need to ensure that Azure SQL Databases are encrypted at rest using keys controlled by your organization, and that all encryption operations are fully auditable. Which solution should you implement?

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys

Explanation:

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) with customer-managed keys (CMK) ensures that all data stored in Azure SQL Databases, including backups and replicas, is encrypted using keys controlled by the organization. CMK are stored in Azure Key Vault, allowing administrators to manage key creation, rotation, revocation, and auditing. This ensures governance over encryption operations and aligns with compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.

Auditing key operations is essential to maintain accountability. Logs capture information about who performed the operation, the type of operation, timestamp, and outcome. This enables organizations to detect unauthorized access attempts, investigate anomalies, and demonstrate compliance. TDE with CMK provides end-to-end encryption coverage, including backups and replicas, ensuring consistent protection across all database assets.

Network Security Groups control network traffic but do not encrypt data or audit key usage. Azure Policy can audit encryption status but cannot enforce encryption or monitor real-time key operations. Azure Key Vault secures the keys but does not encrypt databases without TDE integration.

Implementing Transparent Data Encryption with customer-managed keys strengthens data security and operational governance. Detailed logging enables monitoring, anomaly detection, and regulatory reporting. Integration with Azure Security Center supports continuous monitoring, alerting, and compliance management. This approach ensures that sensitive data is protected, auditable, and fully under organizational control, reducing operational risk and enhancing security posture for Azure SQL Databases.

Question 178:

You need to detect and respond to risky sign-in activity in Azure Active Directory, including impossible travel and access from unfamiliar devices. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation

Explanation:

Azure AD Identity Protection provides continuous monitoring and evaluation of user sign-ins to identify suspicious activity. It detects behaviors such as impossible travel between geographic locations, sign-ins from unfamiliar devices, and repeated failed login attempts. Risk events are assigned a severity score, allowing administrators to prioritize incident response.

Automated risk remediation allows organizations to enforce conditional access policies based on detected risks. High-risk sign-ins can trigger multi-factor authentication, block access, or require password resets. Detailed logs capture user identity, device, location, timestamp, and risk score. These logs support auditing, forensic investigations, and regulatory reporting. Integration with Azure Sentinel enables automated correlation of security events, alerting, and workflow-driven incident response.

Network Security Groups cannot monitor user authentication or respond to identity risks. Azure Policy enforces resource configuration compliance but does not detect risky sign-ins in real time. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not provide identity threat detection or automated remediation.

Implementing Azure AD Identity Protection with automated risk remediation enhances identity security and aligns with zero-trust principles. Automated remediation reduces administrative effort while ensuring that only verified users gain access. Detailed audit trails provide accountability, allowing organizations to detect anomalies, enforce governance over identity access, and maintain compliance with security standards. This approach strengthens operational control and overall security posture for Azure Active Directory environments.

Question 179:

You need to ensure that Azure Storage accounts are only accessible from trusted networks and that all access attempts are logged for auditing purposes. Which solution should you implement?

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging enabled

Explanation:

Azure Storage accounts provide network-level security through firewall rules and virtual network integration. Administrators can restrict access to specific subnets or IP ranges, blocking public internet access. This ensures that storage resources are only accessible from trusted networks, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access or data exfiltration.

Logging is critical for auditing and compliance. All access attempts are recorded, including the identity of the user, operation type, resource accessed, source IP, and timestamp. Logs can be exported to Log Analytics, Event Hubs, or other storage accounts for analysis and monitoring. Security teams can review logs to detect suspicious activity, investigate anomalies, and respond proactively. Integration with Azure Sentinel enables automated alerting and incident response workflows.

Network Security Groups filter traffic at the subnet or VM level but cannot enforce storage account-specific access controls or provide detailed logging. Azure Policy can audit configurations but does not enforce runtime access or provide operational visibility. Azure Key Vault secures cryptographic keys but does not manage storage account access.

Implementing storage account firewall with virtual network integration and logging ensures strong isolation for storage resources while maintaining full visibility into access attempts. This approach minimizes operational risk, enforces least-privilege access, and supports regulatory compliance. Continuous monitoring and auditing allow security teams to detect and respond to unauthorized access quickly, enhancing operational governance and securing sensitive data in Azure Storage accounts.

Question 180:

You need to ensure that Azure virtual machines are continuously protected against malware and ransomware, and that any detected threats generate alerts for the security team. Which solution should you implement?

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection
B) Network Security Groups
C) Azure Policy only
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer:

A) Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection

Explanation:

Azure Defender for Servers provides continuous endpoint protection for virtual machines, monitoring system processes, files, and configurations for malware, ransomware, and suspicious activity. Alerts are generated for the security team to investigate and remediate threats promptly, ensuring rapid response and early detection before attacks can cause significant impact.

The solution integrates with Microsoft Antimalware for Windows and equivalent Linux solutions, providing cross-platform protection. Alerts are centralized in Azure Security Center, offering a unified view of security incidents across subscriptions. Integration with SIEM tools such as Azure Sentinel enables automated correlation of security events, workflow-driven incident response, and forensic investigation, improving operational efficiency and strengthening overall security posture.

Network Security Groups filter network traffic but cannot detect malware or monitor VM processes. Azure Policy enforces compliance but does not provide runtime malware detection or alerting. Azure Key Vault secures keys but does not protect virtual machines from malicious activity.

Implementing Azure Defender for Servers with endpoint protection provides proactive threat detection, early alerting, and rapid response capabilities. Continuous monitoring reduces the risk of compromise while centralized logging and alerts support operational governance and compliance. This approach enforces security best practices, maintains resilience against malware and ransomware, and ensures full visibility into security events, strengthening the enterprise security posture and operational control for Azure virtual machines.