Quick Answer
The answer is the Windows Security Events via Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) connector. This is the correct choice because AMA is the current-generation agent that uses Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to provide granular filtering and efficient ingestion of security events from on-premises Windows servers, replacing the legacy Log Analytics Agent. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of modern SIEM data collection architecture and the migration path from older agents; a common trap is selecting the legacy Log Analytics Agent or the deprecated Windows Security Events via Microsoft Monitoring Agent connector. Remember that AMA is the only agent that supports DCR-based filtering and is fully integrated with Sentinel’s advanced analytics. Memory tip: “AMA for AMAzing control” — think of AMA as the agent that gives you precise, rule-based control over which security events (like Event ID 4625 or 4688) are collected for your SOC.
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities. 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 company is designing a security operations center (SOC). They want to use Microsoft Sentinel as their SIEM. They need to ensure that all security events from on-premises servers are collected. Which data connector should they configure?
Windows Firewall via Legacy Agent
Why wrong: Legacy agent is deprecated and not recommended.
Syslog via AMA
Why wrong: Syslog is for Linux, not Windows events.
Azure Activity Log
Why wrong: Azure Activity Log is for Azure resource logs, not on-premises.
Windows Security Events via Azure Monitor Agent (AMA)
AMA can collect events from on-premises servers using Azure Arc.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Windows Security Events via Azure Monitor Agent (AMA)
Option D is correct because the Windows Security Events via Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) connector is the recommended method for collecting security events from on-premises Windows servers into Microsoft Sentinel. AMA is the current generation agent that supports data collection rules (DCRs) for granular filtering and is fully supported by Sentinel, replacing the legacy Log Analytics Agent. This ensures comprehensive collection of Windows security logs such as Event ID 4625 (failed logons) and 4688 (process creation) for SOC analysis.
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.
Windows Firewall via Legacy Agent
Why it's wrong here
Legacy agent is deprecated and not recommended.
Syslog via AMA
Why it's wrong here
Syslog is for Linux, not Windows events.
Azure Activity Log
Why it's wrong here
Azure Activity Log is for Azure resource logs, not on-premises.
Windows Security Events via Azure Monitor Agent (AMA)
Why this is correct
AMA can collect events from on-premises servers using Azure Arc.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Syslog (used for Linux/network devices) with Windows Security Events, or mistakenly think the legacy Log Analytics Agent (now deprecated) is still the primary connector for Windows events, when AMA is the current best practice.
Detailed technical explanation
The AMA uses Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to define which Windows event logs (e.g., Security, System, Application) and specific event IDs to collect, enabling precise filtering to reduce noise and storage costs. Under the hood, AMA communicates via the Azure Monitor service using HTTPS on port 443, and it supports Windows Event Forwarding (WEF) for centralized collection from domain-joined servers. In a real-world scenario, a SOC might configure a DCR to collect only Event ID 4624 (successful logons) and 4648 (explicit credentials) to focus on authentication anomalies.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
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FAQ
Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — This question tests Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Windows Security Events via Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) — Option D is correct because the Windows Security Events via Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) connector is the recommended method for collecting security events from on-premises Windows servers into Microsoft Sentinel. AMA is the current generation agent that supports data collection rules (DCRs) for granular filtering and is fully supported by Sentinel, replacing the legacy Log Analytics Agent. This ensures comprehensive collection of Windows security logs such as Event ID 4625 (failed logons) and 4688 (process creation) for SOC analysis.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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