The answer is the CloudAppEvents table. This is the correct choice because it captures audit logs for cloud applications like SharePoint Online, specifically recording file access events such as viewing, downloading, or modifying files. When investigating an attacker’s attempt to access sensitive files from a compromised device, querying this table directly reveals the file access events tied to the user’s device and cloud app activity. On the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to map incident investigation goals to the correct advanced hunting table, often tripping candidates who confuse CloudAppEvents with DeviceEvents or IdentityLogonEvents. A common trap is assuming file access is logged in the DeviceFileEvents table, but that only covers local system files, not cloud app file access. Memory tip: think “Cloud App = CloudAppEvents” for any cloud-hosted file activity, like SharePoint or OneDrive.
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. A key principle to apply: cloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online.. 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 organization uses Microsoft 365 Defender. A security analyst is investigating an incident where a user's device was compromised. The analyst wants to determine if the attacker attempted to access sensitive files stored in SharePoint Online from that device. Which advanced hunting table should the analyst query to find file access events from cloud apps?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
CloudAppEvents
The CloudAppEvents table in Microsoft 365 Defender captures audit logs for cloud applications, including SharePoint Online. It records file access events such as viewing, downloading, or modifying files, making it the correct table to query when investigating attacker attempts to access sensitive files from a compromised device.
Key principle: CloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
CloudAppEvents
Why this is correct
This table contains events from cloud apps like SharePoint, including file access, which is directly relevant to the scenario.
Related concept
CloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online.
✗
IdentityLogonEvents
Why it's wrong here
This table logs authentication events, not cloud application file access.
✗
DeviceFileEvents
Why it's wrong here
This table covers file operations on endpoint devices, not cloud-based file access.
✗
EmailEvents
Why it's wrong here
EmailEvents tracks email activities, not SharePoint file access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse DeviceFileEvents (local file events) with cloud file access events, not realizing that SharePoint Online actions are logged only in CloudAppEvents, not in device-level tables.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudAppEvents is populated via the Office 365 Management Activity API, which logs operations like FileAccessed, FileDownloaded, and FileModified for SharePoint and OneDrive. Under the hood, each event includes fields such as AccountUpn, IPAddress, and ObjectId (the file's unique identifier), enabling precise correlation with device-level data from other tables like DeviceInfo. In a real-world scenario, an analyst might join CloudAppEvents with DeviceNetworkEvents to confirm that the file access originated from the compromised device's IP address.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online.
It captures file access, downloads, and modifications within cloud services.
Events are sourced from Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (formerly MCAS).
Crucial for investigating data exfiltration or unauthorized access in cloud environments.
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
CloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Review cloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online., then practise related SC-200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR — CloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: CloudAppEvents — The CloudAppEvents table in Microsoft 365 Defender captures audit logs for cloud applications, including SharePoint Online. It records file access events such as viewing, downloading, or modifying files, making it the correct table to query when investigating attacker attempts to access sensitive files from a compromised device.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Review cloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online., then practise related SC-200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CloudAppEvents tracks activities in cloud applications like SharePoint Online.
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