Quick Answer
The answer is the Azure Monitor Agent. This is the correct choice because it is the current, unified agent for collecting Windows security events, including Active Directory logs, from on-premises virtual machines and forwarding them to a Log Analytics workspace, which serves as the data store for Microsoft Sentinel. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your understanding of modern data collection methods versus legacy agents; a common trap is selecting the Log Analytics agent or MMA, both of which are deprecated and no longer recommended for new deployments. The exam emphasizes that Azure Monitor Agent supports data collection rules for granular filtering and is the only agent that aligns with Microsoft’s long-term strategy for Sentinel ingestion. To remember this, think “AMA is the new standard—legacy agents are out of date,” and recall that the exam will always favor the current, supported solution over older tools.
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for applications and data. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 is planning to use Microsoft Sentinel for security information and event management (SIEM). You need to ingest security logs from on-premises Active Directory. What should you deploy?
Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA)
Why wrong: MMA is legacy and being replaced.
Log Analytics agent
Why wrong: This is the same as MMA, legacy.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud agent
Why wrong: Defender for Cloud agent collects security-related events, not all Windows events.
Azure Monitor Agent
Azure Monitor Agent is the modern unified agent for collecting logs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Azure Monitor Agent
Option A is correct because Azure Monitor Agent is the current agent for collecting Windows events from on-premises VMs and sending to Log Analytics workspace, which is used by Sentinel. Option B is wrong because Log Analytics agent is legacy. Option C is wrong because MMA is also legacy. Option D is wrong because Defender for Cloud agent focuses on security baselines, not general event collection.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA)
Why it's wrong here
MMA is legacy and being replaced.
Log Analytics agent
Why it's wrong here
This is the same as MMA, legacy.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud agent
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud agent collects security-related events, not all Windows events.
Azure Monitor Agent
Why this is correct
Azure Monitor Agent is the modern unified agent for collecting logs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
What to study next
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 solutions for applications and data — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Design security solutions for applications and data practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SC-100 questions
969 questions across all exam domains
Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SC-100 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for infrastructure.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for applications and data.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Evaluate GRC and security operations strategies.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security for infrastructure.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a strategy for data and applications.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Recommend security best practices and priorities.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 fundamentals.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 scenario.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Azure Monitor Agent — Option A is correct because Azure Monitor Agent is the current agent for collecting Windows events from on-premises VMs and sending to Log Analytics workspace, which is used by Sentinel. Option B is wrong because Log Analytics agent is legacy. Option C is wrong because MMA is also legacy. Option D is wrong because Defender for Cloud agent focuses on security baselines, not general event collection.
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.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.