The answer is to use Windows Security Events as the data source with a Fusion rule in Microsoft Sentinel. This combination is correct because lateral movement techniques like pass-the-hash or pass-the-ticket generate correlated event IDs—such as 4624 (logon) and 4648 (explicit credential use)—across multiple domain controllers and workstations, and Fusion rules are specifically designed to detect multi-stage attack patterns by correlating disparate events over time, unlike scheduled query rules which only analyze single events. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your understanding of how to map detection requirements to Sentinel’s analytic rule types, with a common trap being to choose Sysmon or scheduled queries; remember that Fusion rules excel at stitching together the chain of events that lateral movement leaves behind. A helpful memory tip: “Fusion fuses the chain—single queries miss the link.”
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. 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 company uses Microsoft Sentinel as its SIEM. You need to design a solution to detect lateral movement attempts within the corporate network using Windows Event Logs collected from domain controllers and workstations. Which data source and analytic rule type should you use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Windows Security Events with a Fusion rule
Windows Security Events from domain controllers and workstations, with a Fusion or multi-event analytic rule, can detect lateral movement patterns like pass-the-hash. Sysmon is useful but not the only source. Scheduled query rules are for single events. Anomaly rules use machine learning but may not be as precise.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Windows Security Events with a Fusion rule
Why this is correct
Fusion rules correlate multiple events across different sources to detect lateral movement.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Azure Activity logs with an anomaly rule
Why it's wrong here
Activity logs are for Azure resource operations, not lateral movement within the network.
✗
Windows Security Events with a scheduled query rule
Why it's wrong here
Scheduled query rules are for single event patterns, not complex multi-event sequences.
✗
Sysmon logs with a scheduled query rule
Why it's wrong here
Sysmon is helpful but scheduled query rules are not ideal for multi-step attacks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-100 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Design security solutions for infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Windows Security Events with a Fusion rule — Windows Security Events from domain controllers and workstations, with a Fusion or multi-event analytic rule, can detect lateral movement patterns like pass-the-hash. Sysmon is useful but not the only source. Scheduled query rules are for single events. Anomaly rules use machine learning but may not be as precise.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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