The answer is a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy and Microsoft Sentinel. This combination works because the DLP policy is configured to detect when a file labeled 'Highly Confidential' is shared externally, triggering an alert that captures the file name, user, and external recipient. Sentinel then ingests these DLP alerts, providing a centralized SIEM interface for the security team to investigate and respond in real time. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Purview DLP handles proactive alerting on sensitive data exfiltration, while Sentinel serves as the aggregation and analysis layer—a common trap is confusing Information Protection or audit logs with the alerting capability, but DLP is the only component that generates the alert itself. A useful memory tip is "DLP detects, Sentinel directs"—the policy catches the action, and the SIEM centralizes the response.
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities
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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Sentinel. You need to design a solution that alerts the security team when a user tries to share a file labeled 'Highly Confidential' with an external email address. The alert should include the file name, user, and external recipient. Which two components should you use? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Microsoft Sentinel analytics rule that queries DLP audit logs
Options B and D are correct because Microsoft Purview DLP can detect and alert on sharing of sensitive files, and Microsoft Sentinel can ingest those DLP alerts and provide a central interface for investigation. Option A (auto-labeling) applies labels but does not generate alerts. Option C (Information Protection) is for labeling, not monitoring. Option E (audit) logs events but does not generate proactive alerts.
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.
✗
Microsoft Purview Information Protection
Why it's wrong here
Information Protection is for labeling and protection, not alerting.
✓
Microsoft Sentinel analytics rule that queries DLP audit logs
Why this is correct
Sentinel can ingest DLP logs and create alerts for investigation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Microsoft Purview Audit
Why it's wrong here
Audit logs events but does not generate alerts.
✗
Microsoft Purview auto-labeling policy
Why it's wrong here
Auto-labeling applies labels but does not generate alerts on sharing.
✓
Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy
Why this is correct
DLP policies can detect and alert on external sharing of labeled content.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-100 question in full detail.
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.
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Microsoft Sentinel analytics rule that queries DLP audit logs — Options B and D are correct because Microsoft Purview DLP can detect and alert on sharing of sensitive files, and Microsoft Sentinel can ingest those DLP alerts and provide a central interface for investigation. Option A (auto-labeling) applies labels but does not generate alerts. Option C (Information Protection) is for labeling, not monitoring. Option E (audit) logs events but does not generate proactive alerts.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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