- A
Use the custom table name directly in the query, e.g., 'MaliciousIPs_CL'.
Once the CSV is ingested as a custom table (with '_CL' suffix), it can be referenced directly like any other table.
- B
Use 'externaldata()' to point to the CSV file in Azure Blob storage.
Why wrong: externaldata() is used for reading data from external sources at query time, but the data is already ingested into a table, so it's more efficient to query the table directly.
- C
Use 'union' with the workspace name to include the CSV data.
Why wrong: union is used to combine multiple tables, but the custom table is already accessible by name.
- D
Use 'watchlist' function, because CSV files are automatically treated as watchlists.
Why wrong: CSV files uploaded as custom tables are not automatically watchlists; watchlists require a separate process or the _GetWatchlist() function.
SC-200 Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft sentinel. 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 SOC analyst is creating a Microsoft Sentinel scheduled analytics rule to detect failed sign-in attempts from a specific list of known malicious IP addresses. The IP addresses are stored in a CSV file that is updated weekly. The analyst uploads the file as a new table in the Log Analytics workspace. Which KQL operator should the analyst use to reference this table within the rule's query?
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
Use the custom table name directly in the query, e.g., 'MaliciousIPs_CL'.
Option A is correct because when a CSV file is uploaded as a new table in the Log Analytics workspace, it becomes a custom table with a '_CL' suffix (e.g., 'MaliciousIPs_CL'). The analyst can then reference this table directly in the KQL query, just like any other table in the workspace. This is the standard method for using custom log data ingested via the Log Analytics agent or direct upload.
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.
- ✓
Use the custom table name directly in the query, e.g., 'MaliciousIPs_CL'.
Why this is correct
Once the CSV is ingested as a custom table (with '_CL' suffix), it can be referenced directly like any other table.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use 'externaldata()' to point to the CSV file in Azure Blob storage.
Why it's wrong here
externaldata() is used for reading data from external sources at query time, but the data is already ingested into a table, so it's more efficient to query the table directly.
- ✗
Use 'union' with the workspace name to include the CSV data.
Why it's wrong here
union is used to combine multiple tables, but the custom table is already accessible by name.
- ✗
Use 'watchlist' function, because CSV files are automatically treated as watchlists.
Why it's wrong here
CSV files uploaded as custom tables are not automatically watchlists; watchlists require a separate process or the _GetWatchlist() function.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the 'externaldata()' operator (used for ad-hoc queries on external files) with the direct table reference for already-ingested custom logs, or assume that any uploaded CSV becomes a watchlist, when in fact watchlists require explicit creation and are accessed via a dedicated function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a CSV file is uploaded to a Log Analytics workspace, it is ingested as a custom log table with a schema inferred from the CSV headers, and the table name is automatically suffixed with '_CL' (e.g., 'MaliciousIPs_CL'). The KQL query can then reference this table directly, and the rule will run against the ingested data each time it executes. A subtle behavior is that custom tables have a 'TimeGenerated' column added automatically, which is critical for time-based analytics rules; if the CSV lacks a timestamp, the ingestion time is used, which may affect detection accuracy if the IP list is updated weekly.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the custom table name directly in the query, e.g., 'MaliciousIPs_CL'. — Option A is correct because when a CSV file is uploaded as a new table in the Log Analytics workspace, it becomes a custom table with a '_CL' suffix (e.g., 'MaliciousIPs_CL'). The analyst can then reference this table directly in the KQL query, just like any other table in the workspace. This is the standard method for using custom log data ingested via the Log Analytics agent or direct upload.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SC-200 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-200 exam.
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