The correct answer is to investigate user accounts with more than 5 medium-risk sign-ins in the last day. This is because the KQL query uses the `summarize` operator to count sign-ins where `RiskLevelDuringSignIn` equals 'medium', then applies a `where` filter for counts greater than 5, flagging a pattern of suspicious activity that warrants immediate attention. On the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 exam, this tests your ability to interpret KQL for risky sign-in investigation in Log Analytics, a key skill for designing secure identity solutions. A common trap is focusing on high-risk sign-ins instead of the query’s explicit threshold, so remember that medium-risk events, when clustered, often indicate atypical travel or anonymous IPs that require escalation. Memory tip: think "Medium Means More than 5" to recall the trigger for investigation.
AZ-305 Practice Question: Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions
This AZ-305 practice question tests your understanding of design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```kql
SigninLogs
| where TimeGenerated > ago(1d)
| where RiskLevelDuringSignIn == "medium"
| where RiskEventTypes has_any ("unfamiliarFeatures", "anonymousIPAddress")
| summarize Count = count() by UserPrincipalName
| where Count > 5
```
Refer to the exhibit. You run the KQL query in Azure Monitor Log Analytics. Which user accounts should you investigate first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Refer to the exhibit.
```kql
SigninLogs
| where TimeGenerated > ago(1d)
| where RiskLevelDuringSignIn == "medium"
| where RiskEventTypes has_any ("unfamiliarFeatures", "anonymousIPAddress")
| summarize Count = count() by UserPrincipalName
| where Count > 5
```
A
Users with the highest number of sign-in attempts.
Why wrong: The query filters by risk level and event types, not total attempts.
B
Users who had sign-ins from anonymous IP addresses.
Why wrong: The query includes anonymousIPAddress but requires count > 5 and medium risk.
C
Users who have unfamiliar features in their sign-ins.
Why wrong: The query includes unfamiliarFeatures but combined with count > 5.
D
Users with more than 5 medium-risk sign-ins in the last day.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Users with more than 5 medium-risk sign-ins in the last day.
Option D is correct because the KQL query filters for sign-ins where RiskLevelDuringSignIn equals 'medium' and then summarizes by UserPrincipalName, counting occurrences. Users with more than 5 medium-risk sign-ins in the last day indicate a pattern of suspicious activity that warrants immediate investigation, as medium-risk sign-ins often correspond to atypical travel, anonymous IPs, or unfamiliar properties, but the query specifically targets the count threshold as the trigger for escalation.
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.
✗
Users with the highest number of sign-in attempts.
Why it's wrong here
The query filters by risk level and event types, not total attempts.
✗
Users who had sign-ins from anonymous IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
The query includes anonymousIPAddress but requires count > 5 and medium risk.
✗
Users who have unfamiliar features in their sign-ins.
Why it's wrong here
The query includes unfamiliarFeatures but combined with count > 5.
✓
Users with more than 5 medium-risk sign-ins in the last day.
Why this is correct
Exactly what the query returns.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may focus on the specific risk detection types (anonymous IPs, unfamiliar features) instead of recognizing that the query's explicit filter on RiskLevelDuringSignIn and the count threshold is the direct basis for the answer, not the underlying risk reasons.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure AD Identity Protection assigns risk levels (low, medium, high) to sign-ins based on real-time and offline detections such as leaked credentials, impossible travel, or anonymous IP addresses. The KQL query uses the AADSignInEventsBeta table and the `where RiskLevelDuringSignIn == 'medium'` filter to isolate sign-ins that Azure AD has flagged as moderately risky, then uses `summarize count() by UserPrincipalName` to aggregate per user. In practice, a user with multiple medium-risk sign-ins in a short window often indicates a compromised account or a token replay attack, making this the most actionable metric for investigation.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-305 question in full detail.
Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — This question tests Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Users with more than 5 medium-risk sign-ins in the last day. — Option D is correct because the KQL query filters for sign-ins where RiskLevelDuringSignIn equals 'medium' and then summarizes by UserPrincipalName, counting occurrences. Users with more than 5 medium-risk sign-ins in the last day indicate a pattern of suspicious activity that warrants immediate investigation, as medium-risk sign-ins often correspond to atypical travel, anonymous IPs, or unfamiliar properties, but the query specifically targets the count threshold as the trigger for escalation.
What should I do if I get this AZ-305 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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