The correct answer is that this ARM template saved search identifies computers generating a high number of heartbeats, which may indicate a potential compromise. The KQL query counts Heartbeat entries per computer over the last 24 hours and filters for those exceeding 100, flagging anomalous activity that often signals a compromised device beaconing or polling excessively. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret ARM template deployments for Microsoft Sentinel, specifically how saved searches operationalize detection logic. A common trap is confusing high heartbeat volume with missing heartbeats or malicious IP correlation—the query only evaluates heartbeat frequency, not external threats or unresponsive systems. Remember the memory tip: “High heartbeats, high risk—more than a hundred in a day means something’s at play.”
SC-200 Manage a security operations environment Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
{
"type": "Microsoft.OperationalInsights/workspaces/savedSearches",
"apiVersion": "2021-06-01",
"name": "[concat(parameters('workspaceName'), '/MaliciousIPDetection')]",
"properties": {
"category": "Security",
"displayName": "Malicious IP Detection",
"query": "Heartbeat | where TimeGenerated > ago(1d) | summarize Count=count() by Computer | where Count > 100"
}
}
Refer to the exhibit. You are deploying this ARM template to create a saved search in Microsoft Sentinel. What is the purpose of this saved search?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Identify computers that are generating a high number of heartbeats, which may indicate a potential compromise.
Option B is correct because the query counts heartbeats per computer in the last day and filters for computers with more than 100 heartbeats, indicating high activity. Option A is incorrect because it does not check malicious IP addresses. Option C is incorrect because it does not check missing heartbeats. Option D is incorrect because it does not check unresponsive computers.
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.
✗
Identify computers that have not sent heartbeats in the last 24 hours.
Why it's wrong here
The query filters for computers with >100 heartbeats, not missing ones.
✗
Identify computers with low disk space.
Why it's wrong here
Heartbeat does not contain disk space information.
✓
Identify computers that are generating a high number of heartbeats, which may indicate a potential compromise.
Why this is correct
High heartbeat frequency can indicate malicious activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Identify computers that have communicated with a malicious IP address.
Why it's wrong here
The query does not reference any IP addresses.
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
An e-commerce site experiences heavy traffic on Black Friday and near-zero traffic during off-peak weeks. Rather than provisioning permanent large VMs, the team uses auto-scaling groups that add capacity automatically under load and reduce it overnight. Questions like this test whether you understand elasticity, availability zones, and cloud compute scaling patterns.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
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.
Manage a security operations environment — This question tests Manage a security operations environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Identify computers that are generating a high number of heartbeats, which may indicate a potential compromise. — Option B is correct because the query counts heartbeats per computer in the last day and filters for computers with more than 100 heartbeats, indicating high activity. Option A is incorrect because it does not check malicious IP addresses. Option C is incorrect because it does not check missing heartbeats. Option D is incorrect because it does not check unresponsive computers.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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