The answer is to run a hunting query in Microsoft Sentinel, isolate affected devices, and review the incident timeline in Microsoft Defender XDR. These three actions form the core of a ransomware incident response because hunting queries in Sentinel allow you to identify the full scope of affected devices through advanced KQL searches, isolation prevents lateral movement and further encryption, and the Defender XDR timeline provides a chronological view of attacker actions for accurate reconstruction. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish investigative actions from reporting or destructive ones—a common trap is choosing to create a new workbook (which is for post-incident reporting, not real-time investigation) or deleting log data (which destroys forensic evidence). Remember the mnemonic HIT: Hunt, Isolate, Timeline—these three steps always come before any cleanup or reporting in a ransomware 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 Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR. You need to design a solution that investigates and responds to a ransomware incident. Which three actions should you take? (Choose THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Options A, C, and D are correct because running a hunting query can identify the scope, isolating devices prevents further spread, and reviewing the incident timeline in Defender XDR provides context. Option B (new workbook) is for reporting, not investigation. Option E (delete log data) would destroy evidence.
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.
✓
Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Why this is correct
Isolation prevents the ransomware from spreading.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Review the incident timeline in Microsoft Defender XDR.
Why this is correct
The timeline provides a detailed view of the attack chain.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a new workbook to visualize the incident.
Why it's wrong here
Workbooks are for dashboards, not immediate investigation.
✗
Delete all log data older than 24 hours to improve performance.
Why it's wrong here
Deleting logs would destroy forensic evidence.
✓
Run a hunting query in Microsoft Sentinel to identify affected devices.
Why this is correct
Hunting queries help identify the scope of the incident.
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: Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. — Options A, C, and D are correct because running a hunting query can identify the scope, isolating devices prevents further spread, and reviewing the incident timeline in Defender XDR provides context. Option B (new workbook) is for reporting, not investigation. Option E (delete log data) would destroy evidence.
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.
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.