The correct action is to use the "Isolate VM" option directly within the Microsoft Defender for Cloud security alert. This action immediately applies a network security group rule that blocks all inbound and outbound traffic to the compromised Azure VM, effectively quarantining it from the network while preserving the disk and its configuration intact for forensic analysis. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between containment actions that alter the VM state (like stopping or deallocating) and those that only restrict network access. A common trap is choosing "Stop the VM," which powers down the instance but can disrupt forensic evidence and is slower than the alert-level isolation. Remember the key distinction: Defender for Cloud’s alert actions are designed for speed and preservation—think "Isolate, don't terminate" to keep the disk safe for investigation.
SC-200 Practice Question: Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft defender for cloud. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
A cloud security administrator receives an alert from Microsoft Defender for Cloud indicating that a virtual machine has been compromised. The administrator wants to quickly isolate the VM from the network to prevent further spread while preserving the disk for forensic analysis. Which action should the administrator take?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the "Isolate VM" action in the security alert.
The 'Isolate VM' action in Microsoft Defender for Cloud is designed specifically for compromised VMs. It applies a network security group (NSG) rule that denies all inbound and outbound traffic to the VM, effectively quarantining it from the network while leaving the disk intact for forensic analysis. This is the fastest and most direct method to contain the threat without altering the VM's configuration or disk state.
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.
✗
Apply a just-in-time (JIT) access policy to the VM.
Why it's wrong here
JIT reduces exposure by controlling access, but does not isolate a compromised VM.
✓
Use the "Isolate VM" action in the security alert.
Why this is correct
This action isolates the VM from the network while preserving the disk.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable the Azure Security Benchmark initiative for the VM.
Why it's wrong here
This applies compliance policies, not immediate isolation.
✗
Configure a custom Azure Policy to deny network access.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy is not designed for immediate response actions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Just-In-Time (JIT) access with network isolation, mistakenly thinking restricting management ports is sufficient to contain a compromise, when in fact JIT does not block lateral movement or outbound malicious traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'Isolate VM' action works by creating a new NSG rule with a priority of 100 (highest precedence) that denies all traffic (source/destination any, protocol any, port any) and associates it with the VM's NIC. This rule overrides any existing NSG rules, effectively cutting off all network communication. The VM's managed disks remain attached, allowing forensic tools like Azure Disk Encryption or disk snapshots to be used later without powering off the VM, which is critical for preserving volatile memory evidence.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the "Isolate VM" action in the security alert. — The 'Isolate VM' action in Microsoft Defender for Cloud is designed specifically for compromised VMs. It applies a network security group (NSG) rule that denies all inbound and outbound traffic to the VM, effectively quarantining it from the network while leaving the disk intact for forensic analysis. This is the fastest and most direct method to contain the threat without altering the VM's configuration or disk state.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 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.
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Question Discussion
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