- A
Create an automation rule in Microsoft Sentinel
Why wrong: Sentinel automation rules act on incidents, not directly on devices.
- B
Create an endpoint detection and response policy in Microsoft Intune
Why wrong: Intune policies manage device configuration, not automatic response to alerts.
- C
Create a custom detection rule in Microsoft Defender XDR
Custom detections can trigger automatic actions like isolation.
- D
Configure an attack surface reduction rule
Why wrong: ASR rules block behaviors but don't isolate devices automatically.
Question 1,072 of 1,639
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. 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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Defender XDR. A security administrator reports that a user's device is showing high severity alerts for 'Tampering with Microsoft Defender Antivirus' but the device is not isolated. You need to ensure that when such alerts occur, the device is automatically isolated in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. What should you do?
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 in Microsoft Defender XDR
Option C is correct because Microsoft Defender XDR's custom detection rules allow you to create automated actions based on specific alert triggers, such as 'Tampering with Microsoft Defender Antivirus'. By configuring a custom detection rule with an automated response action (e.g., 'Isolate device'), you can ensure the device is automatically isolated in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint when the alert occurs, without requiring manual intervention.
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 an automation rule in Microsoft Sentinel
Why it's wrong here
Sentinel automation rules act on incidents, not directly on devices.
- ✗
Create an endpoint detection and response policy in Microsoft Intune
Why it's wrong here
Intune policies manage device configuration, not automatic response to alerts.
- ✓
Create a custom detection rule in Microsoft Defender XDR
Why this is correct
Custom detections can trigger automatic actions like isolation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Configure an attack surface reduction rule
Why it's wrong here
ASR rules block behaviors but don't isolate devices automatically.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse automation rules in Microsoft Sentinel (which handle incidents) with custom detection rules in Defender XDR (which handle raw alerts and can trigger direct automated actions), leading them to choose Option A despite Sentinel not being the native tool for this specific Defender-for-Endpoint isolation requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Custom detection rules in Microsoft Defender XDR use Advanced Hunting queries (KQL) to detect patterns and then apply response actions such as 'Isolate device', 'Run antivirus scan', or 'Initiate investigation'. The isolation action leverages the Defender for Endpoint sensor to disconnect the device from the network while allowing communication with the MDE cloud service, effectively containing the threat. In a real-world scenario, this automation reduces mean-time-to-contain (MTTC) from hours to seconds, especially for tampering alerts that indicate potential attacker control.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — 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 in Microsoft Defender XDR — Option C is correct because Microsoft Defender XDR's custom detection rules allow you to create automated actions based on specific alert triggers, such as 'Tampering with Microsoft Defender Antivirus'. By configuring a custom detection rule with an automated response action (e.g., 'Isolate device'), you can ensure the device is automatically isolated in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint when the alert occurs, without requiring manual intervention.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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