The answer is a scheduled query rule. This is the correct choice because it allows you to define a KQL query that hunts for user account creation events—typically from the SecurityEvent or AuditLogs tables—and then schedule that query to run at a regular interval. You can embed logic directly in the query to filter for events occurring outside business hours, such as using the `datetime_part` function to isolate the hour of creation, and when the query returns results, Sentinel automatically generates an incident for investigation. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to match the correct analytics rule type to a detection scenario; a common trap is confusing scheduled query rules with NRT rules or anomaly rules, which lack the flexible scheduling and custom KQL logic needed for time-based conditions. Remember the memory tip: "Schedule your search, then filter the hour"—if you need to run a custom query on a timer and check the clock, a scheduled query rule is your only choice.
SC-100 Practice Question: Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities. 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 a SIEM. You need to create an analytics rule that detects when a user account is created outside of business hours. The rule should trigger an incident for investigation. Which type of analytics rule 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
✓
Scheduled query rule
A scheduled query rule is the correct choice because it allows you to define a KQL query that checks for user account creation events (e.g., from the SecurityEvent or AuditLogs table) and then use the query scheduling settings to run the query at a specific interval. You can then add a condition in the rule logic to filter for events occurring outside business hours (e.g., using the `datetime_part` function to check the hour of the event). When the query returns results, Sentinel automatically generates an incident for investigation.
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.
✗
Anomaly rule
Why it's wrong here
Anomaly rules use machine learning to detect unusual patterns, not a simple time condition.
✗
Fusion rule
Why it's wrong here
Fusion rules correlate multiple alerts from different products, not a single condition.
✓
Scheduled query rule
Why this is correct
Scheduled query rules run periodically and can trigger incidents based on query results.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
NRT query rule
Why it's wrong here
NRT rules are for near-real-time detection but are not suitable for conditions based on time of day as they run every few minutes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse scheduled query rules with NRT query rules, assuming that 'near-real-time' is always better for time-sensitive detections, but NRT rules cannot apply complex time-based filters like 'outside business hours' because they only support a 1-minute lookback and no custom scheduling logic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a scheduled query rule in Microsoft Sentinel uses a KQL query that runs on a schedule (e.g., every 5 minutes) with a configurable lookback period (e.g., 5 minutes of data). To detect account creation outside business hours, you would use a query like `SecurityEvent | where EventID == 4720 | where datetime_part("hour", TimeGenerated) < 9 or datetime_part("hour", TimeGenerated) >= 18` and then set the rule to run every hour with a 1-hour lookback. A real-world scenario where this matters is detecting a rogue admin creating backdoor accounts at 2 AM, which would be missed by a simple scheduled rule that only checks for the event itself without time filtering.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — This question tests Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Scheduled query rule — A scheduled query rule is the correct choice because it allows you to define a KQL query that checks for user account creation events (e.g., from the SecurityEvent or AuditLogs table) and then use the query scheduling settings to run the query at a specific interval. You can then add a condition in the rule logic to filter for events occurring outside business hours (e.g., using the `datetime_part` function to check the hour of the event). When the query returns results, Sentinel automatically generates an incident for investigation.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.