The answer is Defender for SQL, as it is the Microsoft Defender for Cloud plan specifically designed to detect suspicious access to Azure SQL Database. This plan uses advanced threat protection to monitor database activity and generate alerts for anomalous behaviors, such as logins from unusual IP addresses or at atypical times, by analyzing patterns against a baseline of normal user activity. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between Defender for Cloud’s workload-specific plans; a common trap is confusing Defender for SQL with the broader Defender for Databases plan, which covers multiple database types but relies on the same SQL-specific anomaly detection engine. Remember that Defender for SQL is the precise plan name for Azure SQL anomalous activity alerts, while Microsoft Sentinel handles SIEM correlation, not built-in database protection. A helpful memory tip: think “SQL = Specific Query Logins” for pinpointing suspicious access.
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security solutions for applications and data
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for applications and data. 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.
An organization is using Microsoft Defender for Cloud to secure their Azure workloads. They have several Azure SQL databases that store sensitive financial data. The security team wants to receive alerts when a user attempts to access the database from a suspicious IP address or at an unusual time. Which Defender for Cloud plan provides this capability?
Provides advanced threat protection for Azure SQL databases, including anomalous access patterns.
B
Defender for Databases
Why wrong: This plan includes protections for various database types, but the question asks for the specific plan with anomalous activity detection for SQL.
C
Defender for Cloud SQL
Why wrong: Not a valid plan name; the correct name is Defender for SQL.
D
Microsoft Sentinel
Why wrong: Sentinel is a SIEM that can ingest logs but is not the built-in protection plan for SQL.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Defender for SQL
Defender for Cloud includes Defender for SQL, which provides anomalous activity detection for Azure SQL databases. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because Defender for Databases is a broader plan that includes SQL detection, but the specific feature is anomalous activity. Option C is wrong because Defender for Cloud SQL is not a plan name. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Sentinel is for SIEM, not built-in database protection.
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.
✓
Defender for SQL
Why this is correct
Provides advanced threat protection for Azure SQL databases, including anomalous access patterns.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Defender for Databases
Why it's wrong here
This plan includes protections for various database types, but the question asks for the specific plan with anomalous activity detection for SQL.
✗
Defender for Cloud SQL
Why it's wrong here
Not a valid plan name; the correct name is Defender for SQL.
✗
Microsoft Sentinel
Why it's wrong here
Sentinel is a SIEM that can ingest logs but is not the built-in protection plan for SQL.
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 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.
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 solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Defender for SQL — Defender for Cloud includes Defender for SQL, which provides anomalous activity detection for Azure SQL databases. Option B is correct. Option A is wrong because Defender for Databases is a broader plan that includes SQL detection, but the specific feature is anomalous activity. Option C is wrong because Defender for Cloud SQL is not a plan name. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Sentinel is for SIEM, not built-in database protection.
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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