Detecting Data Exfiltration from Azure SQL Database Using Microsoft Sentinel
A financial services company uses Microsoft Sentinel for SIEM. They need to detect potential data exfiltration from their Azure SQL Database. Which THREE data sources should they connect to Sentinel to achieve this? (Choose THREE.)
Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Activity Logs, Azure SQL Database audit logs, and network security group flow logs. This combination is correct because to detect data exfiltration from Azure SQL Database with Sentinel, you need visibility into three distinct layers: the database queries themselves (audit logs), the resource management changes that could alter security controls (Activity Logs), and the actual network traffic patterns leaving the database subnet (NSG flow logs). On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your understanding of log source selection for specific threat scenarios—a common trap is choosing Azure AD sign-in logs, which track user authentication rather than database operations, or Microsoft Defender for Cloud alerts, which provide summarized threats but not the raw query or traffic data needed for exfiltration detection. A helpful memory tip is to think of the three "A's": Audit, Activity, and Access (network access via flow logs).
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
✓
Azure Network Watcher NSG flow logs
Azure SQL Database audit logs (Option D) capture detailed information about database queries and operations, which can help detect unauthorized data access. Azure Activity Logs (Option E) provide visibility into management-plane events such as changes to database configurations or firewall rules. Network Security Group (NSG) flow logs (Option C) show network traffic patterns to and from Azure SQL Database, enabling the detection of abnormal data transfer volume or patterns indicative of exfiltration. Options A and B are incorrect: Microsoft Defender for Cloud alerts provide security recommendations and alerts but not raw data exfiltration details; Azure AD sign-in logs focus on user authentication events, not database operations.
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 Defender for Cloud alerts
Why it's wrong here
Alerts may indicate security incidents, but for detailed detection, raw logs are needed.
- ✗
Azure AD sign-in logs
Why it's wrong here
Show user login events, not database-specific activities.
- ✓
Azure Network Watcher NSG flow logs
Why this is correct
Provide network traffic data to detect unusual data transfers.
- ✓
Azure SQL Database audit logs
Why this is correct
Contain detailed SQL queries that can indicate data access patterns.
- ✓
Azure Activity Logs
Why this is correct
Show administrative operations like export or backup that could indicate exfiltration.
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways 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 company uses Microsoft Sentinel for security operations. You need to design a solution that automatically remediates a detected threat by blocking a malicious IP address on Azure Firewall. Which Microsoft Sentinel feature should you use?
medium- A.Analytics rules
- B.Workbooks
- ✓ C.SOAR playbooks
- D.User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)
Why C: Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) in Microsoft Sentinel uses playbooks to automate remediation actions like blocking IPs on Azure Firewall. Option A is wrong because analytics rules only generate alerts. Option B is wrong because workbooks visualize data. Option D is wrong because UEBA analyzes behavior but does not automate remediation.
Variation 2. A company uses Microsoft Sentinel for security operations. They want to collect logs from a custom application running on Azure Virtual Machines. The application writes logs to a local file. Which data connector should they use?
medium- A.Application Insights
- B.Syslog
- C.Windows Event Forwarding
- ✓ D.Custom Logs via Log Analytics agent
Why D: Custom Logs via Log Analytics agent. The Log Analytics agent (or Azure Monitor Agent) can ingest custom log files from Windows or Linux VMs, making it ideal for a custom application that writes logs to a local file. Option A (Application Insights) is for application performance monitoring and does not collect local file logs. Option B (Syslog) is used for Linux system logs, not custom file logs. Option C (Windows Event Forwarding) collects Windows Event Logs, not custom file logs.
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.