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What Are the Available Permitted Operations for Keys in Azure Key Vault?
Master Azure Key Vault security for the AZ-500 exam by learning how to limit key functions using permitted operations like Encrypt, Decrypt, Sign, and Verify.
Question
You can limit operations on a key in Azure Key Vault by configuring the settings under Permitted operations.
A. FALSE
B. TRUE
Answer
B. TRUE
Explanation
It is true that you can limit the functions of a specific cryptographic key in Azure Key Vault by configuring its Permitted operations. This setting provides an essential layer of granular, object-level security. The correct answer is B. TRUE.
You can limit a variety of operations under Permitted operations, like Encrypt, Decrypt, Sign, and Verify.
Permitted Key Operations
When you create or update a key within Azure Key Vault, you have the option to specify which cryptographic actions are allowed for that particular key. This is distinct from access policies, which control who can access the vault. Permitted operations control what a specific key is allowed to do, regardless of the user’s or application’s permissions.
This enforces the principle of least privilege directly on the security object. For example, you can create a key that is only allowed to perform Sign and Verify operations. Even if a service principal has broad permissions to perform all key operations via an access policy, any attempt to use that specific key for encryption or decryption will fail.
The following operations can be selectively enabled or disabled for a key:
- Encrypt: Allows the key to be used for encrypting data.
- Decrypt: Allows the key to be used for decrypting data.
- Sign: Permits the key to be used for digitally signing data or hashes.
- Verify: Permits the use of the key to verify digital signatures.
- Wrap Key: Allows the key to be used to encrypt another key.
- Unwrap Key: Allows the key to be used to decrypt another key.
Access Policy vs. Permitted Operations
It is critical to understand the difference between these two security controls for the AZ-500 exam:
- Access Policies: Define permissions for security principals (users, groups, applications) at the Key Vault level. They answer the question, “Who can perform what category of action (e.g., key management, cryptographic operations)?”
- Permitted Operations: A property of an individual key that defines its allowed functions. It answers the question, “What is this specific key allowed to do?”
For an operation to be successful, it must be allowed by both the security principal’s access policy and the key’s permitted operations list. This dual-control mechanism significantly enhances the security posture by preventing key misuse.
Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 exam and earn Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate AZ-500 certification.