The answer is Automated investigation and response (AIR). This is the correct choice because AIR in Microsoft Defender XDR leverages machine learning and predefined playbooks to automatically triage alerts, determine the scope of an incident, and execute remediation actions across endpoints, email, and identities without requiring manual intervention. On the Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Defender XDR unifies security automation across workloads; a common trap is confusing AIR with manual incident response or with a single-product feature like Defender for Endpoint’s live response. Remember that AIR is the cross-workload engine that acts on the entire incident, not just one alert. A helpful memory tip is to think of AIR as the “auto-pilot” for security operations—it flies the investigation and lands the remediation, so you don’t have to touch the controls.
MS-102 Practice Question: Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage security and threats by using microsoft defender xdr. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
A security team wants to automatically investigate and respond to security incidents across endpoints, email, and identities without manual intervention. Which Microsoft Defender XDR capability provides this automation?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Automated investigation and response (AIR)
Automated investigation and response (AIR) is the Microsoft Defender XDR capability that automatically investigates alerts and takes remediation actions across endpoints, email, and identities without manual intervention. It uses playbooks and machine learning to triage incidents, determine scope, and apply actions like isolating devices or deleting malicious emails.
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.
✓
Automated investigation and response (AIR)
Why this is correct
AIR uses automation to investigate alerts and take predefined remediation actions, such as isolating devices or deleting malicious emails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Advanced hunting
Why it's wrong here
Advanced hunting is a query-based tool for proactive threat hunting, not automated response.
✗
Threat analytics
Why it's wrong here
Threat analytics provides reports and insights about active threats and vulnerabilities, not automated response.
✗
Attack surface reduction rules
Why it's wrong here
ASR rules are prevention mechanisms that block specific behaviors but do not provide automated investigation and response.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'automated investigation and response' with 'advanced hunting' because both involve security analysis, but only AIR provides the automated remediation workflow without manual querying.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AIR in Microsoft Defender XDR leverages a unified incident correlation engine that aggregates signals from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Office 365, and Microsoft Defender for Identity. It uses pre-defined playbooks (e.g., for phishing or credential theft) that can automatically run actions like soft-deleting email messages or disabling compromised user accounts, with the option to approve or reject actions via the Microsoft 365 Defender portal. In a real-world scenario, if a user clicks a malicious link in an email, AIR can automatically isolate the endpoint, delete the email from all mailboxes, and suspend the user account—all within minutes.
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 MS-102 question in full detail.
Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — This question tests Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Automated investigation and response (AIR) — Automated investigation and response (AIR) is the Microsoft Defender XDR capability that automatically investigates alerts and takes remediation actions across endpoints, email, and identities without manual intervention. It uses playbooks and machine learning to triage incidents, determine scope, and apply actions like isolating devices or deleting malicious emails.
What should I do if I get this MS-102 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Variation 1. Your organization is a small business with 200 users. You use Microsoft 365 Business Premium, which includes Microsoft Defender for Business (the small business version of Defender for Endpoint) and Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 1. You want to protect against ransomware by blocking malicious processes and behaviors on endpoints. You also need to enable automated investigation and response for common threats. However, your IT team has limited security expertise and wants a simple configuration that provides out-of-the-box protection without custom policies. What should you do?
easy
A.Configure Safe Attachments policies in Microsoft Defender for Office 365 to block ransomware attachments.
✓ B.Enable the default security baseline in Microsoft Defender for Business, which includes attack surface reduction rules and automated investigation.
C.Create custom attack surface reduction rules in Microsoft Defender for Business to block ransomware behaviors.
D.Deploy a third-party endpoint detection and response (EDR) solution alongside Microsoft Defender for Business.
Why B: Option B is correct because Defender for Business provides default security baselines that include attack surface reduction rules and automated investigation, requiring minimal configuration. Option A is wrong because creating custom policies is complex and not necessary. Option C is wrong because third-party EDR adds complexity and cost. Option D is wrong because Safe Attachments is for email, not endpoint behavior.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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