- A
Install the Qualys agent on the VMs and configure the vulnerability assessment solution in Defender for Cloud.
This is correct. The agent must be deployed on each VM, and the integration must be configured in the Defender for Cloud security policy to accept findings from the third-party vulnerability assessment solution.
- B
Enable the built-in Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management (MDVM) solution; it automatically integrates with any third-party scanner.
Why wrong: MDVM is a separate, built-in vulnerability scanning solution. It does not automatically integrate with third-party scanners. Using MDVM would replace the need for a third-party solution, not augment it.
- C
Set up automatic provisioning of the Log Analytics agent and enable vulnerability assessment in the regulatory compliance dashboard.
Why wrong: Automatic provisioning installs the Log Analytics agent, which is required for security events but not for third-party vulnerability scanning. The regulatory compliance dashboard does not ingest third-party vulnerability data.
- D
Nothing; Defender for Cloud automatically scans all Azure VMs for vulnerabilities using the integrated Qualys scanner.
Why wrong: Defender for Cloud uses its own built-in vulnerability assessment (powered by MDVM or Qualys) only if explicitly configured. It does not automatically scan with a third-party solution like Qualys without agent deployment and configuration.
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. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs.. 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 company uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud with Defender for Servers enabled. The security team wants to integrate a third-party vulnerability assessment solution (e.g., Qualys) and have findings appear in the Defender for Cloud recommendations. What must be done?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Install the Qualys agent on the VMs and configure the vulnerability assessment solution in Defender for Cloud.
Option A is correct because to integrate a third-party vulnerability assessment solution like Qualys with Microsoft Defender for Cloud, you must install the Qualys agent on the VMs and then configure the vulnerability assessment solution in Defender for Cloud. This allows Defender for Cloud to receive and display the vulnerability findings from Qualys as part of its security recommendations. Without this explicit configuration, Defender for Cloud cannot ingest third-party scanner data.
Key principle: Third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Install the Qualys agent on the VMs and configure the vulnerability assessment solution in Defender for Cloud.
Why this is correct
This is correct. The agent must be deployed on each VM, and the integration must be configured in the Defender for Cloud security policy to accept findings from the third-party vulnerability assessment solution.
Related concept
Third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs.
- ✗
Enable the built-in Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management (MDVM) solution; it automatically integrates with any third-party scanner.
Why it's wrong here
MDVM is a separate, built-in vulnerability scanning solution. It does not automatically integrate with third-party scanners. Using MDVM would replace the need for a third-party solution, not augment it.
- ✗
Set up automatic provisioning of the Log Analytics agent and enable vulnerability assessment in the regulatory compliance dashboard.
Why it's wrong here
Automatic provisioning installs the Log Analytics agent, which is required for security events but not for third-party vulnerability scanning. The regulatory compliance dashboard does not ingest third-party vulnerability data.
- ✗
Nothing; Defender for Cloud automatically scans all Azure VMs for vulnerabilities using the integrated Qualys scanner.
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud uses its own built-in vulnerability assessment (powered by MDVM or Qualys) only if explicitly configured. It does not automatically scan with a third-party solution like Qualys without agent deployment and configuration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Defender for Cloud automatically integrates with any third-party scanner or that enabling MDVM will bridge to third-party tools, when in fact a specific agent installation and connector configuration is required for third-party solutions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When integrating Qualys, the Qualys agent communicates with the Qualys Cloud Platform, and Defender for Cloud uses the Qualys connector API to pull findings into the security recommendations blade. The configuration involves selecting 'Qualys' as the vulnerability assessment provider in the Defender for Cloud settings and providing the Qualys subscription code and server URL. This integration is per-subscription and requires the Qualys agent to be installed on each VM, either manually or via a deployment script.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs.
- Defender for Cloud security policy must be configured for external VA solutions.
- Findings from integrated third-party scanners appear as Defender for Cloud recommendations.
- This integration centralizes reporting for existing third-party VA tools.
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
Third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs., then practise related SC-200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — Third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install the Qualys agent on the VMs and configure the vulnerability assessment solution in Defender for Cloud. — Option A is correct because to integrate a third-party vulnerability assessment solution like Qualys with Microsoft Defender for Cloud, you must install the Qualys agent on the VMs and then configure the vulnerability assessment solution in Defender for Cloud. This allows Defender for Cloud to receive and display the vulnerability findings from Qualys as part of its security recommendations. Without this explicit configuration, Defender for Cloud cannot ingest third-party scanner data.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Review third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs., then practise related SC-200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Third-party VA integration requires agent deployment on VMs.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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