Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create an anomaly detection policy. This policy type is designed to detect user behavior anomalies, such as impossible travel, which occurs when a user account is accessed from an unauthorized location in rapid succession that makes physical travel between those locations impossible. For the Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 exam, this question tests your understanding of Defender for Cloud Apps policy types and their specific use cases; a common trap is confusing anomaly detection with session policies, which control real-time access rather than flagging historical behavioral patterns. A helpful memory tip is to associate “anomaly” with “abnormal behavior” like impossible travel, while session policies are for “active control” and file policies for “data protection.”
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of manage security and threats by using microsoft defender xdr. 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.
A company wants to receive alerts when a user account is used from an unauthorized location. They have Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (MDA). Which policy type should they create?
Create a session policy.
Why wrong: Session policies apply conditional access controls.
Create an app permissions policy.
Why wrong: App permissions policies monitor OAuth app usage.
Create a file policy.
Why wrong: File policies monitor file sharing activities.
Create an anomaly detection policy.
Anomaly detection policies identify impossible travel and other anomalies.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create an anomaly detection policy.
Anomaly detection policies in MDA detect user behavior anomalies such as impossible travel. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because session policies control real-time access. Option C is wrong because file policies monitor file sharing. Option D is wrong because app permissions policies manage OAuth apps.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Create a session policy.
Why it's wrong here
Session policies apply conditional access controls.
Create an app permissions policy.
Why it's wrong here
App permissions policies monitor OAuth app usage.
Create a file policy.
Why it's wrong here
File policies monitor file sharing activities.
Create an anomaly detection policy.
Why this is correct
Anomaly detection policies identify impossible travel and other anomalies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which MS-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.
Manage security and threats by using Microsoft Defender XDR — study guide chapter
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FAQ
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..
The correct answer is: Create an anomaly detection policy. — Anomaly detection policies in MDA detect user behavior anomalies such as impossible travel. Option A is correct. Option B is wrong because session policies control real-time access. Option C is wrong because file policies monitor file sharing. Option D is wrong because app permissions policies manage OAuth apps.
Identify which MS-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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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