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Automated Investigation and Response Actions in Microsoft 365 Defender
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.)
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.
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often mistake identity-related actions like password resets as part of AIR, but these are handled by separate Azure AD Identity Protection workflows. AIR actions are limited to endpoint, email, and collaboration containment.
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
✓
Block a file hash across the organization.
Microsoft 365 Defender's automated investigation and response (AIR) can automatically block a file hash at the tenant level using threat intelligence and cloud-delivered protection. When a malicious file is detected, AIR can create an indicator to block the hash across all endpoints via Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, preventing further execution.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
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.
- ✗
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.
- ✗
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.
Go deeper
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on SC-100
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?
medium- A.Enable the 'Automatically investigate and respond to alerts' feature in Defender for Cloud Apps
- B.Configure an automation rule in Microsoft Sentinel
- ✓ C.Enable 'Automatic attack disruption' in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal
- D.Disable 'Automated investigation and response' in Defender for Endpoint
Why 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.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SC-100 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SC-100 exam.