- A
Create a custom detection rule (Advanced Hunting rule) with a query that joins DeviceProcessEvents and DeviceNetworkEvents, filtering for the parent process and external IP addresses
Correct. Custom detection rules in M365 Defender allow multi-table joins and scheduled alerting, exactly what this scenario requires.
- B
Create a scheduled rule in Sentinel and export the data from M365 Defender
Why wrong: While Sentinel can also create scheduled rules, the question specifies creating a rule within Microsoft 365 Defender, not using Sentinel. Also, exporting data is unnecessary.
- C
Use a custom detection rule with DeviceEvents only
Why wrong: DeviceEvents contains various events but not a comprehensive record of process creation and network connections. You need both tables.
- D
Use a Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom detection rule (built-in) that already detects child process connections
Why wrong: There is no built-in rule that matches this specific scenario; a custom rule is required.
SC-200 Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft defender xdr. 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.
An analyst is investigating a sophisticated attack involving a compromised device. The analyst has identified a malicious process that spawned multiple child processes. The analyst wants to create a custom detection rule in Microsoft 365 Defender that alerts when a specific parent process creates a child process that makes an outbound network connection to any IP not in the organization's internal range. Which KQL query and rule type should the analyst use?
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
Create a custom detection rule (Advanced Hunting rule) with a query that joins DeviceProcessEvents and DeviceNetworkEvents, filtering for the parent process and external IP addresses
Option A is correct because the analyst needs to correlate process creation events with network connection events across two separate tables (DeviceProcessEvents and DeviceNetworkEvents) in Advanced Hunting. A custom detection rule (Advanced Hunting rule) in Microsoft 365 Defender allows joining these tables to identify when a specific parent process spawns a child that makes an outbound connection to an external IP address, which is exactly the required detection logic.
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.
- ✓
Create a custom detection rule (Advanced Hunting rule) with a query that joins DeviceProcessEvents and DeviceNetworkEvents, filtering for the parent process and external IP addresses
Why this is correct
Correct. Custom detection rules in M365 Defender allow multi-table joins and scheduled alerting, exactly what this scenario requires.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a scheduled rule in Sentinel and export the data from M365 Defender
Why it's wrong here
While Sentinel can also create scheduled rules, the question specifies creating a rule within Microsoft 365 Defender, not using Sentinel. Also, exporting data is unnecessary.
- ✗
Use a custom detection rule with DeviceEvents only
Why it's wrong here
DeviceEvents contains various events but not a comprehensive record of process creation and network connections. You need both tables.
- ✗
Use a Microsoft Defender for Endpoint custom detection rule (built-in) that already detects child process connections
Why it's wrong here
There is no built-in rule that matches this specific scenario; a custom rule is required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think DeviceEvents contains all necessary telemetry or that a built-in rule already covers this specific scenario, but they must recognize that joining two distinct tables (DeviceProcessEvents and DeviceNetworkEvents) in an Advanced Hunting custom detection rule is required to correlate process creation with outbound network connections.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
There is no built-in rule that matches this specific scenario; a custom rule is required.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the query would use a join between DeviceProcessEvents (filtered for the parent process) and DeviceNetworkEvents (filtered for RemoteIPType == 'Public' or RemoteIP not in the organization's internal range), often using DeviceId and Timestamp as join keys. A subtle behavior is that child processes may inherit the parent's process ID or be tracked via InitiatingProcessId in DeviceNetworkEvents, so the join should match on InitiatingProcessFileName or InitiatingProcessParentFileName to correctly correlate the chain. In a real-world scenario, an attacker might use a benign parent like 'explorer.exe' to spawn 'powershell.exe' which then connects to a C2 server; the rule must account for process lineage across multiple events.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a custom detection rule (Advanced Hunting rule) with a query that joins DeviceProcessEvents and DeviceNetworkEvents, filtering for the parent process and external IP addresses — Option A is correct because the analyst needs to correlate process creation events with network connection events across two separate tables (DeviceProcessEvents and DeviceNetworkEvents) in Advanced Hunting. A custom detection rule (Advanced Hunting rule) in Microsoft 365 Defender allows joining these tables to identify when a specific parent process spawns a child that makes an outbound connection to an external IP address, which is exactly the required detection logic.
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
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