Quick Answer
The correct answer includes deleting a malicious email from all mailboxes, as this is one of the three core automated investigation and response actions in Microsoft 365 Defender. AIR capabilities are designed to automatically contain threats by executing predefined remediation steps without manual intervention, such as isolating devices, deleting malicious emails, and blocking file hashes at the organizational level. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this topic tests your understanding of the built-in automation versus manual playbook actions—a common trap is confusing AIR with Microsoft Sentinel’s automation rules or thinking password resets are included, but AIR strictly handles containment and removal, not identity management. Remember the mnemonic “DIB” for Delete, Isolate, Block—these three actions are the only fully automated responses within Microsoft 365 Defender’s AIR engine.
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities. 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 company wants to automate incident response in Microsoft 365 Defender. Which THREE actions can be automated using automated investigation and response (AIR) capabilities? (Choose three.)
Block a file hash across the organization.
AIR can block indicators of compromise.
Reset a user's password.
Why wrong: Password reset is not an AIR action; it requires a playbook.
Isolate a device from the network.
AIR can isolate endpoints to prevent spread.
Create a new user account.
Why wrong: User creation is not a security response action.
Delete a malicious email from all mailboxes.
AIR can take action on email threats.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Block a file hash across the organization.
Option A is correct because AIR can isolate devices automatically. Option B is correct because AIR can delete malicious emails. Option C is correct because AIR can block file hashes. Option D is wrong because resetting passwords is not an AIR action; it requires a playbook. Option E is wrong because creating users is not a security response action.
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.
Block a file hash across the organization.
Why this is correct
AIR can block indicators of compromise.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Reset a user's password.
Why it's wrong here
Password reset is not an AIR action; it requires a playbook.
Isolate a device from the network.
Why this is correct
AIR can isolate endpoints to prevent spread.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Create a new user account.
Why it's wrong here
User creation is not a security response action.
Delete a malicious email from all mailboxes.
Why this is correct
AIR can take action on email threats.
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 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
Identify which SC-100 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.
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FAQ
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — This question tests Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Block a file hash across the organization. — Option A is correct because AIR can isolate devices automatically. Option B is correct because AIR can delete malicious emails. Option C is correct because AIR can block file hashes. Option D is wrong because resetting passwords is not an AIR action; it requires a playbook. Option E is wrong because creating users is not a security response action.
Identify which SC-100 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.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization uses Microsoft Defender XDR. You need to configure automatic attack disruption for ransomware attacks. Which action should you take?
mediumWhy C: Automatic attack disruption is a feature of Microsoft Defender XDR that can be enabled to automatically contain attacks. It is configured in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal under Settings > Endpoints > Advanced features. The other options are not correct: disabling automated investigation reduces response, and the other portals are not for this setting.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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