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SC-200 Uses Microsoft 365 Defender Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'Initiate a live response session' as the go-to for file collection, but fail to remember that live response requires an active network connection to the device, which is blocked when AIR has isolated the device from the network.
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
✓
Collect investigation package
The 'Collect investigation package' action on the device entity page in Microsoft 365 Defender gathers a ZIP file containing the device's forensic data, including specific suspicious files, registry keys, and memory dumps. This is the designed method for retrieving a copy of a file for offline analysis without requiring interactive access, and it works even after AIR has isolated the device.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Collect investigation package
Why this is correct
The collect investigation package action builds a comprehensive forensic archive from the device, gathering the specific file along with associated processes, registry keys, and memory artifacts into a single downloadable bundle for offline analysis. This is the appropriate choice when the goal is to retrieve and preserve a suspicious file for deep inspection without requiring an interactive session, aligning with the analyst's need to collect and examine the file.
- ✗
Run antivirus scan
Why it's wrong here
While an antivirus scan can detect and remediate known threats, it does not extract or preserve files for offline analysis. The scan operates in real time on the device and may quarantine or delete the detected file, preventing you from obtaining the original artifact for forensic examination. It is a containment and remediation action, not an evidence collection mechanism.
- ✗
Restrict app execution
Why it's wrong here
Restrict app execution is a device hardening or containment control that prevents certain applications from running, typically via AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control policies. It has no capability to gather or export file contents from the endpoint. This option addresses future execution of the file, not the need to collect and analyze the file itself.
- ✗
Initiate a live response session
Why it's wrong here
Live response provides an interactive remote shell to the device, allowing manual commands and script execution, but it requires a series of discrete steps to locate, copy, and download the specific file. The question asks for a direct action to collect a specific file; the collect investigation package action bundles the evidence automatically, whereas live response demands operator intervention and is not the single direct action sought.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.