A security analyst needs to connect a Palo Alto Networks firewall to Microsoft Sentinel to ingest logs. The firewall supports Syslog and Common Event Format (CEF). Which data connector should the analyst use?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Best answer
Palo Alto Networks (via Syslog CEF)
This connector is pre-built to ingest Palo Alto firewall logs formatted in CEF over Syslog.
Distractor review
Common Event Format (CEF) via Syslog (generic)
While it can work, the specific Palo Alto connector provides easier setup and better field mapping.
Distractor review
Syslog (without CEF)
Syslog without CEF would lose the structured fields and require custom parsing, making it less suitable.
Distractor review
Custom Text Logs
Custom Text Logs would require manual definition of the log format and are not optimized for Palo Alto CEF.
Common exam trap
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.
Technical deep dive
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.
Related practice questions
Related SC-200 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
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Question 2
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Question 3
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Question 4
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Question 5
A security analyst is configuring Microsoft Sentinel scheduled analytics rules to detect brute-force attacks on Microsoft Entra ID. Arrange the steps in the correct order from first to last.
Question 6
An organization uses Microsoft 365 Defender. A security analyst is investigating a malware incident on a user's device. The automated investigation and response (AIR) has already isolated the device from the network. The analyst now needs to collect a copy of a specific suspicious file from the device for further analysis. Which action should the analyst initiate from the device's entity page?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Palo Alto Networks (via Syslog CEF) — Microsoft Sentinel provides a dedicated 'Palo Alto Networks (via Syslog CEF)' data connector that simplifies the configuration and maps the CEF fields to standard Sentinel schemas. While the generic CEF connector could work, the specific Palo Alto connector is recommended for optimized parsing. Syslog without CEF loses structured data, and Custom Logs require additional parsing.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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