- A
Enable auto-provisioning in the Defender for Cloud environment settings.
Correct. Auto-provisioning automatically deploys the Log Analytics agent to all supported VMs in the subscription, ensuring continuous coverage.
- B
Deploy a custom Azure Policy to install the agent on all VMs.
Why wrong: While Azure Policy can achieve this, it is an additional step. The built-in auto-provisioning in Defender for Cloud is simpler and recommended for default coverage.
- C
Use an Azure Automation runbook to install the agent on newly created VMs.
Why wrong: Runbooks can automate agent installation but require ongoing management and are not the standard method for auto-provisioning in Defender for Cloud.
- D
Enable Azure Update Management on the VMs.
Why wrong: Azure Update Management is for patching, not for installing the Log Analytics agent. It requires the agent to already be present.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to enable auto-provisioning in the Defender for Cloud environment settings. This configuration works because Microsoft Defender for Cloud’s auto-provisioning feature automatically installs the Log Analytics agent (also known as the Microsoft Monitoring Agent) on all existing and newly provisioned Azure virtual machines, eliminating the need for manual deployment or custom policies. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of how Defender for Cloud streamlines agent deployment through a simple toggle rather than requiring Azure Policy or extension scripts—a common trap is confusing auto-provisioning with Azure Policy assignments or Azure Automation solutions. Remember that auto-provisioning is a native Defender for Cloud setting, not a separate policy initiative. A useful memory tip: think of “auto-provisioning” as the one-click “set it and forget it” switch that keeps your VMs covered without extra overhead.
SC-200 Practice Question: Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft defender for cloud. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
A cloud security administrator needs to ensure that all Azure virtual machines have the Microsoft Defender for Cloud agent (Log Analytics agent) installed automatically when they are provisioned. Which configuration should be set in Microsoft Defender for Cloud?
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
Enable auto-provisioning in the Defender for Cloud environment settings.
Option A is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud includes an auto-provisioning setting that, when enabled, automatically installs the Log Analytics agent (Microsoft Monitoring Agent) on all existing and newly provisioned Azure virtual machines. This setting is configured in the Defender for Cloud environment settings under 'Auto provisioning' and ensures seamless coverage without manual intervention or additional policy management.
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.
- ✓
Enable auto-provisioning in the Defender for Cloud environment settings.
Why this is correct
Correct. Auto-provisioning automatically deploys the Log Analytics agent to all supported VMs in the subscription, ensuring continuous coverage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deploy a custom Azure Policy to install the agent on all VMs.
Why it's wrong here
While Azure Policy can achieve this, it is an additional step. The built-in auto-provisioning in Defender for Cloud is simpler and recommended for default coverage.
- ✗
Use an Azure Automation runbook to install the agent on newly created VMs.
Why it's wrong here
Runbooks can automate agent installation but require ongoing management and are not the standard method for auto-provisioning in Defender for Cloud.
- ✗
Enable Azure Update Management on the VMs.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Update Management is for patching, not for installing the Log Analytics agent. It requires the agent to already be present.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may overthink the solution and choose a custom Azure Policy or automation method, not realizing that Defender for Cloud's built-in auto-provisioning is the simplest and most direct configuration to meet the requirement.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Auto-provisioning in Defender for Cloud leverages the Azure VM extension for the Log Analytics agent, which is deployed via the Microsoft.EnterpriseCloud.Monitoring extension. When enabled, Defender for Cloud automatically creates a Log Analytics workspace (or uses an existing one) and configures the agent to send security events and performance data. This setting also supports workspace selection and can be scoped to specific subscriptions or management groups, ensuring consistent deployment across hybrid environments.
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
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.
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?
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable auto-provisioning in the Defender for Cloud environment settings. — Option A is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud includes an auto-provisioning setting that, when enabled, automatically installs the Log Analytics agent (Microsoft Monitoring Agent) on all existing and newly provisioned Azure virtual machines. This setting is configured in the Defender for Cloud environment settings under 'Auto provisioning' and ensures seamless coverage without manual intervention or additional policy management.
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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