Courseiva
← SC-200
Full test
Question 514 of 1,639
Respond to security incidents →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the policy mode is set to 'Monitor' instead of 'Govern' or 'Block'. In Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, a policy in Monitor mode only generates alerts and logs activity—it does not enforce any blocking action, even if the "Block" action is defined within the policy’s settings. The filter and action configuration may be correct, but without switching the mode to "Block" or "Govern," the policy remains passive. On the SC-200 exam, this is a classic trap: candidates often focus on the action settings while overlooking the overarching policy mode. Microsoft tests your understanding that Monitor mode is purely detective, not preventative. To remember this, think of the mnemonic "MAB"—Monitor Alerts, Block enforces—where only the latter two modes actually stop traffic. Always verify the mode before troubleshooting a policy that fails to block.

SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question

This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
```json
{
  "properties": {
    "policyType": "Microsoft.CloudAppSecurity/Policy",
    "policyName": "Block Unapproved Storage",
    "policyMode": "Monitor",
    "filter": {
      "app": {
        "category": "Cloud storage",
        "tag": "Unsanctioned"
      }
    },
    "actions": [
      {
        "actionType": "Block",
        "actionValue": "true"
      }
    ]
  }
}

An administrator creates a Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps policy to block unsanctioned cloud storage apps. Despite the policy, users can still access these apps. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "most likely"

    Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.
```json
{
  "properties": {
    "policyType": "Microsoft.CloudAppSecurity/Policy",
    "policyName": "Block Unapproved Storage",
    "policyMode": "Monitor",
    "filter": {
      "app": {
        "category": "Cloud storage",
        "tag": "Unsanctioned"
      }
    },
    "actions": [
      {
        "actionType": "Block",
        "actionValue": "true"
      }
    ]
  }
}

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

✓

The policy mode is set to 'Monitor', which only alerts and does not block

The policy mode is set to 'Monitor' instead of 'Govern' or 'Block'. In Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, policies in 'Monitor' mode only generate alerts, not block. The action 'Block' is defined but the policy mode must be set to 'Block' or 'Govern' to enforce. The filter and actions are correct.

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.

  • ✗

    The action type 'Block' is incorrect; it should be 'Alert'

    Why it's wrong here

    'Block' is a valid action type.

  • ✗

    The policy requires a 'Device' filter to apply to all users

    Why it's wrong here

    No device filter needed for cloud app policy.

  • ✗

    The filter uses 'Unsanctioned' tag, but apps are tagged 'Sanctioned'

    Why it's wrong here

    If apps are unsanctioned, filter is correct.

  • ✓

    The policy mode is set to 'Monitor', which only alerts and does not block

    Why this is correct

    Monitor mode doesn't enforce actions; it must be set to 'Block' or 'Govern'.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

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.

Detailed technical explanation

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.

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.

Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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.

Manage a security operations environment practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to Manage a security operations environment.

Respond to security incidents practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to Respond to security incidents.

Perform threat hunting practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to Perform threat hunting.

Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR.

Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud.

Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel.

SC-200 fundamentals practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 fundamentals.

SC-200 scenario practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 scenario.

SC-200 troubleshooting practice questions

Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 troubleshooting.

Practice this exam

Start a free SC-200 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions20 questions30 questions50 questionsTimed 30
SC-200 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this SC-200 question test?

Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The policy mode is set to 'Monitor', which only alerts and does not block — The policy mode is set to 'Monitor' instead of 'Govern' or 'Block'. In Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, policies in 'Monitor' mode only generate alerts, not block. The action 'Block' is defined but the policy mode must be set to 'Block' or 'Govern' to enforce. The filter and actions are correct.

What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?

Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.

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.