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. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 administrator wants to configure Automated Investigation and Response (AIR) in Microsoft 365 Defender to automatically isolate a device when a high-severity alert for malware is detected. Which step is required?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
C: Configure the device to be part of a device group and enable automation level.
To enable Automated Investigation and Response (AIR) in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, the device must be added to a device group, and the automation level for that group must be set to 'Full – remediate threats automatically' or a similar level. This configuration allows Defender to automatically isolate a device when a high-severity malware alert is triggered, as part of the built-in AIR playbooks.
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.
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A: Create an automation rule in Microsoft Sentinel.
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft Sentinel has automation rules, but AIR for Defender for Endpoint is configured within Microsoft 365 Defender, not Sentinel.
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B: Create a custom detection rule in advanced hunting.
Why it's wrong here
Custom detections create alerts but do not automatically remediate; you still need automation settings.
✓
C: Configure the device to be part of a device group and enable automation level.
Why this is correct
Device groups are the mechanism to define automation levels (e.g., full automation) that allow automatic isolation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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D: Enable auto-removal of malware from devices.
Why it's wrong here
This is not a configuration option; auto-removal is part of the remediation actions that depend on automation level.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Microsoft Sentinel automation rules (which are for cross-source orchestration) with the device group automation settings in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, leading them to pick Option A instead of the correct device group configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, device groups in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint define the automation level (e.g., 'Full', 'Semi', or 'No automation') which dictates how the AIR engine responds to alerts. When a high-severity malware alert is raised, the AIR playbook checks the device group's automation level; if set to 'Full', it automatically runs the 'Isolate device' action. This is distinct from manual isolation or custom playbooks, and the automation level can be scoped per group to allow granular control over which devices are automatically remediated.
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: C: Configure the device to be part of a device group and enable automation level. — To enable Automated Investigation and Response (AIR) in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, the device must be added to a device group, and the automation level for that group must be set to 'Full – remediate threats automatically' or a similar level. This configuration allows Defender to automatically isolate a device when a high-severity malware alert is triggered, as part of the built-in AIR playbooks.
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.
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Question Discussion
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