The answer is the Microsoft Defender XDR connector paired with a Scheduled query rule. This is correct because the Microsoft Defender XDR connector ingests all Defender for Endpoint (MDE) alerts—including those tagged with a device risk level—directly into Sentinel, and a Scheduled query rule allows you to run a KQL query on a recurring interval (e.g., every 5 minutes) to filter for alerts where the device risk is set to 'high'. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to bridge MDE’s device risk classifications with Sentinel’s incident creation logic; a common trap is choosing the Microsoft 365 Defender connector (which is deprecated) or an NRT rule, which cannot run the periodic polling needed for risk-based triggers. Remember the key pairing: XDR connector for ingestion, Scheduled rule for detection. Memory tip: “Schedule the scan for high-risk land”—the Scheduled rule scans the XDR connector’s data for high-risk devices.
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 Defender for Endpoint (MDE) and Microsoft Sentinel. You need to create an analytics rule in Sentinel that triggers an incident when a device is reported as 'high risk' by MDE. Which data source and 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
✓
Microsoft Defender XDR connector with a Scheduled query rule
The Microsoft Defender XDR connector ingests alerts from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) into Sentinel. A Scheduled query rule is required to run a KQL query at a defined interval (e.g., every 5 minutes) that checks for devices with a 'high risk' severity level in the ingested alert data. This combination allows you to create an incident when MDE reports a device as high risk.
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.
✗
Microsoft Sentinel's Anomalous Activity rule
Why it's wrong here
Anomalous activity rules detect behavioral anomalies, not specific risk status.
✗
Microsoft 365 Defender connector with an NRT query rule
Why it's wrong here
NRT is not ideal; scheduled is more reliable for this scenario.
✓
Microsoft Defender XDR connector with a Scheduled query rule
Why this is correct
The XDR connector ingests MDE alerts and device info; scheduled query can detect high risk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Microsoft Defender for Cloud connector with a Fusion rule
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud is for cloud workloads, not endpoints.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing the Microsoft Defender XDR connector (which covers MDE, MDO, MDI, and MDCA) with the Microsoft 365 Defender connector (which is deprecated or used for legacy scenarios), leading candidates to incorrectly choose Option B.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
NRT is not ideal; scheduled is more reliable for this scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Microsoft Defender XDR connector uses the Microsoft Graph Security API to pull alerts from MDE, which are stored in the 'SecurityAlert' table in Sentinel. A Scheduled query rule with a KQL filter like `| where AlertSeverity == 'High'` runs on a schedule (e.g., every 5 minutes with a 5-minute lookback) to detect new high-risk alerts. This approach ensures you capture the exact alert severity without relying on machine learning or cross-product correlation.
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 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: Microsoft Defender XDR connector with a Scheduled query rule — The Microsoft Defender XDR connector ingests alerts from Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) into Sentinel. A Scheduled query rule is required to run a KQL query at a defined interval (e.g., every 5 minutes) that checks for devices with a 'high risk' severity level in the ingested alert data. This combination allows you to create an incident when MDE reports a device as high risk.
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.