- A
Automated investigation and response (AIR) action policy
AIR action policies allow administrators to define automatic responses to specific alert types. By setting the isolation action for high-severity alerts from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, the device can be isolated automatically without manual intervention.
- B
Custom detection rule
Why wrong: Custom detection rules create incidents based on advanced hunting queries. They do not include automated response actions; they only generate alerts. Additional configuration in AIR is needed to act on them.
- C
Threat analytics
Why wrong: Threat analytics provides threat intelligence and recommendations but does not automatically respond to alerts. It is a reporting and analysis tool.
- D
Attack simulation training
Why wrong: Attack simulation training is used to simulate phishing attacks and educate users. It does not provide automated response to real alerts or device isolation.
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 needs to create an automated investigation and response (AIR) playbook that automatically isolates a device whenever a high-severity alert from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is generated. The playbook should run without requiring manual approval. Which capability in Microsoft 365 Defender should the administrator configure?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
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) action policy
Option A is correct because Automated Investigation and Response (AIR) action policies in Microsoft 365 Defender allow administrators to define automated remediation actions—such as device isolation—that execute automatically when specific alert conditions are met, without requiring manual approval. The policy can be configured to trigger on high-severity alerts from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, enabling fully automated containment of compromised devices.
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) action policy
Why this is correct
AIR action policies allow administrators to define automatic responses to specific alert types. By setting the isolation action for high-severity alerts from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, the device can be isolated automatically without manual intervention.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Custom detection rule
Why it's wrong here
Custom detection rules create incidents based on advanced hunting queries. They do not include automated response actions; they only generate alerts. Additional configuration in AIR is needed to act on them.
- ✗
Threat analytics
Why it's wrong here
Threat analytics provides threat intelligence and recommendations but does not automatically respond to alerts. It is a reporting and analysis tool.
- ✗
Attack simulation training
Why it's wrong here
Attack simulation training is used to simulate phishing attacks and educate users. It does not provide automated response to real alerts or device isolation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse custom detection rules (Option B) with automated response capabilities, mistakenly thinking that creating a detection rule can also trigger automatic remediation, when in fact custom detection rules only generate alerts and require an AIR policy or manual action to respond.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, AIR action policies in Microsoft 365 Defender leverage the unified XDR backend to map alert triggers to specific response actions defined in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal under Settings > Endpoints > Automated investigation and response. When a high-severity alert fires, the policy evaluates conditions (e.g., alert severity, device group) and executes the configured action—such as 'Isolate device'—which sends an API call to the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint sensor on the endpoint to enforce network isolation at the OS level (e.g., blocking all inbound/outbound traffic except to the Defender cloud service). A real-world scenario where this matters is during a ransomware outbreak: automatic isolation prevents lateral movement within seconds, reducing blast radius without waiting for a human analyst to approve.
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this MS-102 question test?
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) action policy — Option A is correct because Automated Investigation and Response (AIR) action policies in Microsoft 365 Defender allow administrators to define automated remediation actions—such as device isolation—that execute automatically when specific alert conditions are met, without requiring manual approval. The policy can be configured to trigger on high-severity alerts from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, enabling fully automated containment of compromised devices.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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