The answer is the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint connector in Intune and a device compliance policy that uses the device risk score. The connector establishes the integration between Defender for Endpoint and Intune, allowing threat signals to be shared, while the compliance policy is configured to mark the device as noncompliant when the risk score reaches a certain threshold, which triggers automatic risk score escalation. On the MD-102 exam, this tests your understanding of how Defender for Endpoint threat data flows into Intune to drive compliance actions, a common scenario for the Microsoft 365 Endpoint Administrator. A frequent trap is confusing app protection policies or conditional access with device-level risk; remember that app protection policies manage data on the app layer, not device risk, and conditional access is a gate, not a risk source. To increase device risk score automatically from Defender threats, you must pair the connector with a compliance policy that evaluates that risk. Memory tip: think “Connector + Compliance = Risk Escalation.”
MD-102 Protect devices Practice Question
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of protect devices. 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.
An organization uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to detect threats on Windows devices. The security team wants Intune to automatically increase the device's risk score when a threat is detected. Which TWO components are required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Device compliance policy with 'Require device threat level' set to 'Low'
The correct answers are A and C. Option B is incorrect because app protection policies are not used for device risk. Option D is incorrect because conditional access is not a component of threat detection. Option E is incorrect because device compliance policy evaluates compliance but does not increase risk score automatically.
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.
✓
Device compliance policy with 'Require device threat level' set to 'Low'
Why this is correct
Compliance policy uses Defender for Endpoint risk score.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint connector in Intune
Why this is correct
Connector allows Intune to receive threat signals.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Device configuration profile
Why it's wrong here
Configuration profiles do not set risk scores.
✗
App protection policy
Why it's wrong here
App protection policies are for app-level data protection, not device risk.
✗
Conditional Access policy
Why it's wrong here
Conditional Access is not a component of threat detection; it uses compliance results.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this MD-102 question in full detail.
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Protect devices — This question tests Protect devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Device compliance policy with 'Require device threat level' set to 'Low' — The correct answers are A and C. Option B is incorrect because app protection policies are not used for device risk. Option D is incorrect because conditional access is not a component of threat detection. Option E is incorrect because device compliance policy evaluates compliance but does not increase risk score automatically.
What should I do if I get this MD-102 question wrong?
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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