- A
Modify the query to exclude IP addresses from the corporate network by adding '| where IPAddress notin (dynamic(['10.0.0.0/8', '172.16.0.0/12', '192.168.0.0/16']))' or by using a watchlist
This filters out trusted IP ranges, reducing false positives while retaining detection of external brute-force attempts.
- B
Increase the threshold from 10 to 20 failed attempts
Why wrong: Increasing threshold may still generate false positives if trusted IPs generate many sign-ins; it does not specifically exclude them.
- C
Decrease the rule's run frequency to every 5 minutes
Why wrong: Changing frequency does not filter out trusted IPs.
- D
Change the data source to AADNonInteractiveUserSignInLogs
Why wrong: Non-interactive sign-ins are different and not suitable for detecting brute-force attacks on interactive logins.
Quick Answer
The correct fix is to modify the KQL query to exclude trusted corporate IP ranges, such as by adding `| where IPAddress notin (dynamic(['10.0.0.0/8', '172.16.0.0/12', '192.168.0.0/16']))` or by referencing a watchlist. This directly reduces brute-force false positives because the original rule counts all sign-in attempts from any IP, including internal corporate traffic, which naturally exceeds the threshold of 10 sign-ins within 30 minutes due to normal user activity. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to tune detection logic by filtering noise rather than changing the detection frequency or data source—a common trap is to adjust the time window or threshold, which would still flag internal IPs. Remember that Sentinel’s KQL supports IP range matching with the `notin` operator, but watchlists are preferred for dynamic, centrally managed exclusions. Memory tip: “Filter the trusted, flag the rest” to keep brute-force alerts focused on external threats.
SC-200 Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft sentinel. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 organization uses Microsoft Sentinel to monitor Microsoft Entra ID sign-ins. A SOC analyst creates a scheduled analytics rule that runs every 15 minutes and uses the following KQL query: SigninLogs | where TimeGenerated > ago(30m) | summarize count() by IPAddress | where count_ > 10. The rule is intended to detect brute-force attacks from a single IP address. However, the analyst notices that alerts are generated even when IP addresses are within the company's trusted corporate network range. What is the most appropriate fix to reduce false positives?
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
Modify the query to exclude IP addresses from the corporate network by adding '| where IPAddress notin (dynamic(['10.0.0.0/8', '172.16.0.0/12', '192.168.0.0/16']))' or by using a watchlist
Option A is correct because the query currently counts all sign-in attempts, including those from trusted corporate IP ranges, which generates false positives for brute-force detection. By adding a filter to exclude corporate IP addresses (e.g., RFC 1918 ranges) or using a watchlist, the rule only alerts on external IPs that exceed the threshold, reducing noise. This directly addresses the root cause—internal traffic being incorrectly flagged—without altering detection logic or data sources.
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.
- ✓
Modify the query to exclude IP addresses from the corporate network by adding '| where IPAddress notin (dynamic(['10.0.0.0/8', '172.16.0.0/12', '192.168.0.0/16']))' or by using a watchlist
Why this is correct
This filters out trusted IP ranges, reducing false positives while retaining detection of external brute-force attempts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Increase the threshold from 10 to 20 failed attempts
Why it's wrong here
Increasing threshold may still generate false positives if trusted IPs generate many sign-ins; it does not specifically exclude them.
- ✗
Decrease the rule's run frequency to every 5 minutes
Why it's wrong here
Changing frequency does not filter out trusted IPs.
- ✗
Change the data source to AADNonInteractiveUserSignInLogs
Why it's wrong here
Non-interactive sign-ins are different and not suitable for detecting brute-force attacks on interactive logins.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think increasing the threshold (Option B) is a valid tuning approach, but it fails to address the root cause—internal IPs being included—and instead reduces detection sensitivity for all IPs, which is not a targeted fix.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the KQL query uses `summarize count() by IPAddress` over a 30-minute window, which aggregates all sign-in attempts regardless of source. Excluding RFC 1918 private IP ranges (10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16) is effective because corporate networks typically use these ranges, but in real-world scenarios, organizations may also use public IP ranges for VPNs or cloud proxies, so a watchlist or custom IP allowlist is more flexible. Additionally, the rule runs every 15 minutes but queries the last 30 minutes, creating a 15-minute overlap window that can cause duplicate alerts if not handled with suppression logic.
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 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: Modify the query to exclude IP addresses from the corporate network by adding '| where IPAddress notin (dynamic(['10.0.0.0/8', '172.16.0.0/12', '192.168.0.0/16']))' or by using a watchlist — Option A is correct because the query currently counts all sign-in attempts, including those from trusted corporate IP ranges, which generates false positives for brute-force detection. By adding a filter to exclude corporate IP addresses (e.g., RFC 1918 ranges) or using a watchlist, the rule only alerts on external IPs that exceed the threshold, reducing noise. This directly addresses the root cause—internal traffic being incorrectly flagged—without altering detection logic or data sources.
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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