Top 50 Azure Scenarios based Interview questions

1. How do you troubleshoot if your app is slow?

If your app is slow, check the metrics in:

Azure Monitor
Application Insights
Log Analytics

Analyze CPU/memory, dependency call duration, failure rates and scale the app service.

2. What will you check if a VM is not reachable?

The following are to be checked if a VM is not reachable:

NSG rules
Network Interface
DNS settings
Route tables
Boot diagnostics
VM Status

3. How would you reduce costs in Azure?

To reduce costs in Azure, Azure Cost Management is suitable with Right-size VMs and Implement auto-scaling. Utilize Azure Reserved Instances and turn off unused resources with automation.

4. How to securely connect on-premises to Azure?

Establish a private connection with Azure VPN Gateway for a site-to-site VPN or Azure ExpressRoute.

5. How to handle a regional outage and to restrict VM access to a specific IP?

Design applications with geo-redundancy using:

Azure Traffic Manager
Availability Zones
Geo-redundant storage (GRS)
Multi-region deployments

Configure NSG inbound rule along with source IP address to restrict VM access to a specific IP.

6. How do you backup a VM and automate VM creation?

Backup a VM by Azure Backup service, configure backup policy and recovery vault.
To automate VM creation, Use ARM Templates, Azure CLI, PowerShell, or Terraform.

7. What are the steps to Implement auto scaling in AKS and to deploy containers without AKS?

Implement auto scaling in AKS by using Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) and configure cluster autoscaler for node pools. Deploy containers through Azure Container Instances (ACI) or App Service for Containers.

8. How to secure Blob Storage data and to restore deleted blob data?

Secure blob storage data by:

Shared Access Signatures (SAS)
Private endpoints
Azure RBAC
Encryption at rest and in transit

Restore deleted blob data by enabling soft delete or point-in-time restore for Blob storage.

9. What are the steps to deploy containerized app to AKS?

Create AKS Cluster
Use kubectl apply -f deployment.yaml
Use Helm for complex charts

10. How to secure AKS pods access to Key Vault and handle applications if it needs high IOPS storage?

To secure AKS pods access to key vault, Enable Pod Identity or use Workload Identity to assign access.

Premium SSDs for disks or Azure NetApp Files is suitable if application needs high IOPS storage.

11. What can be done to deploy a web app with zero downtime and to protect app settings?

Deploy a web application with deployment slots and slot swapping after testing in staging. Store secrets in Azure Key Vault and reference them in App Configuration.

12. How to allow users to sign in with Google and secure apps with minimal privileges?

Register Google as an Identity provider in Azure AD B2C.
Use Managed Identity and assign least-permission Azure RBAC roles.

13. How to avail MFA for all users and to audit access to resources?

Enable Azure AD Conditional Access with MFA policies to avail MFA for all users. To perform detailed auditing, use:

Azure Activity Logs
Azure AD Sign-in Logs
Log Analytics

14. What is essential to deploy code automatically after push and to rollback deployment if error?

Use Azure DevOps Pipelines with triggers configured in YAML for automatic code deployment. To rollback deployment, use:

Deployment Slots
Configure manual or automated rollback

15. What can be performed for Infra provisioning and code deployment?

For provisioning and code deployment, Use Infrastructure as Code tools (ARM, Bicep, Terraform) and CI/CD for applications.

16. How to handle database connection timeouts and data masking in reports?

Database connection timeout can be handled by checking connection string, throttling, firewall rules, and retry policies.
For Data masking in reports, Enable Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) in Azure SQL to obfuscate sensitive fields.

17. What is the effective way to schedule daily data load from blob to SQL and to monitor data pipelines?

Azure Data Factory (ADF) pipeline can be used with Copy activity and trigger schedule. Use the Monitoring tab in ADF, or push logs to Log Analytics for alerting.

18. How to get alert if CPU > 80% on VM and to track changes to resources?

Configure Azure Monitor Alert Rule based on metric condition to get alert if CPU > 80% on VM. Track changes to resources by enabling Azure Activity Logs, Resource Graph, or Azure Policy Change Tracking.

19. How to perform blue-green deployment in AKS?

For blue-green deployment in AKS, Use Kubernetes deployments with labels/selectors or service mesh like Istio.

20. What are required to implement disaster recovery for app & DB?

To implement disaster recovery for app & DB, Use:

Azure Site Recovery (ASR) for app VMs
Geo-redundant DB setup
Regular backup and test failovers

21. How to enforce tagging on all resources?

Create an Azure Policy (built-in: “Require tag and its value”) that audits or denies untagged resources.

Assign this policy at your desired scope—management group, subscription, or resource group.
Use automatic remediation tasks or deploy via Azure Blueprint to apply tags at deploy time.

22. How do you restrict access to a specific resource group?

Assign Azure RBAC roles (e.g., Reader, Contributor) scoped directly to the resource group.

Use Azure AD groups or service principals for access control rather than individual users.
Leverage Conditional Access and Privileged Identity Management for time-bound or context-based access.

23. How to prevent accidental deletion of resources?

Apply Resource Locks: CanNotDelete or ReadOnly to critical resources or resource groups.

Use Azure Policy to detect and warn on deletion of specific resource types.
Include protection in Azure Blueprints to enforce locks and guardrails across environments.

24. How to rotate secrets automatically?

Store secrets in Azure Key Vault and set a Key Rotation Policy for Keys (built-in support).

For secrets (e.g., passwords), use Event Grid + Azure Function/Logic App to auto-rotate before expiration.
Use managed identities or service principals to update credentials in downstream systems seamlessly.

25. How can we track unauthorized login attempts?

Enable Azure AD Sign-in Logs and integrate with Log Analytics or Azure Sentinel.

Create alerts or analytics rules (or use built-in Sentinel playbooks) to flag suspicious behavior like impossible travel or brute-force attacks.
Use Conditional Access policies to enforce MFA and block high-risk sign-ins.

26. How to scale Azure Web App automatically?

Use Azure App Service’s autoscaling feature by configuring rules based on metrics like CPU usage, memory, or request count.

Set min/max instances and define scale-out or scale-in thresholds.
Use Azure Monitor to view scaling events and performance insights.

27. How to secure AKS worker node traffic?

Implement Kubernetes Network Policies (Calico) to control communication between pods.

Use Azure CNI for custom VNet integration and NSG control at the subnet level.
Private AKS clusters and Azure Firewall can also be used for enhanced security.

28. How to migrate on-prem SQL to Azure SQL?

Use Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) for schema and data movement.

Perform pre-assessment with Data Migration Assistant (DMA) to identify issues.
Choose online migration for minimal downtime.
Ensure proper firewall settings, authentication mode, and database compatibility.

29. How to implement API gateway in Azure?

Use Azure API Management (APIM) as a centralized gateway for your APIs.

Apply policies like throttling, caching, and security (OAuth, JWT, AAD).
Expose APIs with versioning and rate-limiting.

30. How to use Event-Driven Architecture in Azure?

Use Azure Event Grid or Azure Service Bus for publishing and subscribing events.

Trigger serverless functions or Logic Apps when events occur.
Design microservices to respond to real-time data.

31. How to protect storage accounts from public access?

Disable public access settings in Azure Storage configuration.

Use Private Endpoints to route traffic through secure Azure VNets.
Implement firewall rules and Azure Policy to prevent misconfiguration.
Monitor access via logs and enable soft delete for safety.

32. How to centralize logs in Azure?

Send logs from all services (VMs, AKS, App Services) to Log Analytics workspace.

Use Azure Monitor and Kusto Query Language (KQL) for querying logs.
Create alerts and dashboards in Azure Monitor.

33. How to secure VMs using just-in-time access?

Enable JIT access via Microsoft Defender for Cloud.

Configure approved users, duration, and ports for access.
Requests are logged and reviewed for auditing.

34. How to manage DevTest Lab costs?

Schedule automatic shutdown/start of VMs in DevTest Labs.

Set quotas for CPU, RAM, and storage per user or team.
Use policies to restrict expensive VM sizes.

35. How to monitor AKS container health?

Enable Azure Monitor for Containers to get performance insights.

Monitor pod-level CPU, memory, restart counts, and node health.
Use Container Insights for live metrics and logs.
Configure alerts for failures or threshold breaches.

36. How to configure SQL failover groups?

Create Auto-Failover Groups for Azure SQL Database across regions.

Set primary and secondary replicas for automatic failover.
Configure listener endpoint for transparent connection management.

37. How to handle secrets in CI/CD?

Store secrets in Azure Key Vault and link them to Azure DevOps pipelines.

Use service connections and environment variables securely.
Avoid hardcoding passwords in code or pipeline YAML.
Key Vault access is governed by RBAC or policies.

38. How to audit resource configuration drift?

Use Azure Policy for compliance tracking and remediation.

Compare actual configurations against defined templates (ARM/Bicep).
Use Azure Resource Graph to detect non-compliant resources.

39. How to apply data masking in production?

Enable Dynamic Data Masking (DDM) in Azure SQL to obfuscate sensitive fields.

Masking happens at the query level, visible only to non-privileged users.
Set default masking functions (e.g., partial, email).

40. How to archive infrequently accessed blob data?

Use Azure Blob Storage tiers: Hot, Cool, and Archive.

Set lifecycle policies to automatically move blobs based on last modified date.
Archive tier offers low cost but high access latency.

41. How to deploy Azure Function App with zero downtime?

Use deployment slots for staging and production environments.

Test your deployment in staging, then perform a slot swap.
Warm-up ensures the function is ready to handle traffic.

42. How to ensure container images are secure?

Use Microsoft Defender for Containers to scan ACR images for vulnerabilities.

Restrict pull access using RBAC and service principals.
Use only verified base images in Dockerfiles.

43. How to protect secrets in Azure Key Vault?

Enable soft delete and purge protection to recover deleted secrets.

Use private endpoints and disable public access to Key Vault.
Manage access with RBAC or Access Policies.
Log all access using Azure Monitor and Diagnostics.

44. How to build data enrichment pipelines in Azure?

Use Azure Data Factory (ADF) to orchestrate the flow.

Extract from sources, enrich via Azure Databricks or Functions.
Load transformed data into Data Lake or SQL DB.
Monitor pipelines and handle failures via ADF Monitoring tab.

45. How to handle secrets in Kubernetes (AKS)?

Use Azure Key Vault Provider for Secrets Store CSI driver.

Mount secrets directly into AKS pods without storing in etcd.
Automate secret rotation and update containers securely.

46. How to detect VM configuration drift?

Use Azure Automation Desired State Configuration (DSC) for enforcement.

Track changes in installed features, file paths, or registry keys.
Non-compliant VMs can be auto-remediated.

47. How to enable GDPR-compliant data deletion?

Enable soft delete and purge protection on storage and vaults.

Implement automated workflows for Data Subject Requests (DSRs).
Maintain audit logs and restrict data sharing outside regions.

48. How to use private DNS zones with VNets?

Create Private DNS Zones in Azure DNS and link them to VNets.

Enable auto-registration for VMs and configure name resolution.
Integrate with custom DNS for hybrid environments.

49. How to deploy containers to AKS using DevOps?

Build images in Azure DevOps Pipelines and push to Azure Container Registry (ACR).

Use Helm or kubectl in the pipeline to deploy to AKS clusters.
Use stages for build, test, and deploy with rollback support.

50. How to implement backup retention policies?

Use Azure Backup to define retention ranges: daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.

Configure backup policies in Recovery Services Vault.
Enable soft delete and geo-redundant storage for added protection.
Regular test restores are recommended to validate recovery.

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Top 50 Azure Scenarios based Interview questions