How can sensitive information be secured in Azure SQL Databases?

Sensitive information in Azure SQL Databases can be effectively secured by utilizing the Always Encrypted feature. This feature is designed specifically to protect sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or personal identification numbers, by encrypting the data not just at rest but also in transit. The key aspect of Always Encrypted is that the data is encrypted on the client side before it ever reaches the SQL Database, ensuring that not even the database administrators can access the unencrypted data.

The use of client-side encryption means that the encryption keys can be managed securely outside of the SQL Database, allowing for a high level of security and compliance with regulations regarding sensitive information. This configuration enables applications to encrypt sensitive data transparently without requiring changes to database applications.

While Transparent Data Encryption also provides encryption, it does so at the disk level and does not offer the same level of control over data access since it does not encrypt data at the application level. Other options like utilizing Azure Virtual Network and applying Role-Based Access Control enhance security but do not specifically focus on the encryption of sensitive data within the database itself. Thus, the Always Encrypted feature stands out as the most direct and effective method for securing sensitive data in Azure SQL Databases.