This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. 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.
A security analyst receives a Microsoft Defender for Identity alert about a suspicious Kerberos attack. The analyst needs to contain the compromised account immediately. What should the analyst do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Disabling stops all authentication.
Remove the user from all privileged groups.
Why wrong: Removing from groups does not prevent authentication.
Require the user to change their password at next sign-in.
Why wrong: User may not change password immediately.
Reset the user's password and notify the user.
Why wrong: Password reset alone may not stop ongoing attacks.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Option A is correct because disabling the account in Microsoft Entra ID stops authentication. Option B is wrong because resetting password without disabling may allow ongoing attacks. Option C is wrong because removing from groups does not prevent authentication. Option D is wrong because the user's own password reset may not be effective.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Why this is correct
Disabling stops all authentication.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Remove the user from all privileged groups.
Why it's wrong here
Removing from groups does not prevent authentication.
Require the user to change their password at next sign-in.
Why it's wrong here
User may not change password immediately.
Reset the user's password and notify the user.
Why it's wrong here
Password reset alone may not stop ongoing attacks.
Common exam traps
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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FAQ
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID. — Option A is correct because disabling the account in Microsoft Entra ID stops authentication. Option B is wrong because resetting password without disabling may allow ongoing attacks. Option C is wrong because removing from groups does not prevent authentication. Option D is wrong because the user's own password reset may not be effective.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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