- A
In the Azure portal under each virtual machine's 'Extensions + applications' blade
Why wrong: This is manual installation per VM, not the automatic provisioning setting in Defender for Cloud.
- B
In Microsoft Defender for Cloud, under 'Environment settings' > 'Data collection'
This is where you enable auto-provisioning for the Log Analytics agent across all subscriptions.
- C
In Microsoft Sentinel, under 'Data connectors' for Defender for Cloud
Why wrong: Sentinel's data connectors are for ingesting logs, not for configuring agent provisioning on VMs.
- D
In Azure Policy, by assigning the 'Deploy Log Analytics agent' initiative
Why wrong: Defender for Cloud uses Azure Policy, but the configuration is managed within the Defender for Cloud interface for simplicity.
Quick Answer
The correct configuration location is in Microsoft Defender for Cloud, under 'Environment settings' > 'Data collection'. This is where you enable auto-provisioning for the Log Analytics agent, because Defender for Cloud uses this setting to automatically deploy the agent to all current and future Azure virtual machines, ensuring continuous security monitoring without manual intervention. On the SC-200 exam, this tests your understanding of how Defender for Cloud streamlines data collection for threat detection; a common trap is looking for this setting under "Security policy" or "Workload protections" instead. Remember, the key is that "Data collection" controls the agent's automatic deployment, while "Environment settings" scopes it to your subscription or management group. A useful memory tip: think "Data collection = agent delivery" — if you need the agent pushed automatically, always navigate to Environment settings first.
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 security administrator wants to ensure that all Azure virtual machines have automatic provisioning of the Log Analytics agent enabled by default in Microsoft Defender for Cloud. Where should this configuration be set?
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
In Microsoft Defender for Cloud, under 'Environment settings' > 'Data collection'
Option B is correct because the automatic provisioning of the Log Analytics agent for all Azure virtual machines in Defender for Cloud is configured under 'Environment settings' > 'Data collection'. This setting enables Defender for Cloud to automatically deploy the Log Analytics agent to new and existing VMs, ensuring security monitoring without 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.
- ✗
In the Azure portal under each virtual machine's 'Extensions + applications' blade
Why it's wrong here
This is manual installation per VM, not the automatic provisioning setting in Defender for Cloud.
- ✓
In Microsoft Defender for Cloud, under 'Environment settings' > 'Data collection'
Why this is correct
This is where you enable auto-provisioning for the Log Analytics agent across all subscriptions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
In Microsoft Sentinel, under 'Data connectors' for Defender for Cloud
Why it's wrong here
Sentinel's data connectors are for ingesting logs, not for configuring agent provisioning on VMs.
- ✗
In Azure Policy, by assigning the 'Deploy Log Analytics agent' initiative
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud uses Azure Policy, but the configuration is managed within the Defender for Cloud interface for simplicity.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the centralized 'Data collection' setting in Defender for Cloud with per-VM manual extension installation (Option A) or with Azure Policy assignments (Option D), not realizing that Defender for Cloud provides a built-in toggle to enable automatic provisioning across all VMs in a subscription.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the 'Data collection' setting in Defender for Cloud's 'Environment settings' controls the 'Auto Provisioning' feature, which uses a Log Analytics workspace and a VM extension to deploy the Microsoft Monitoring Agent (MMA) or Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) to supported Azure VMs. This setting also defines the workspace where security data is stored, and changes are applied via Azure Policy behind the scenes, ensuring compliance across subscriptions. In a real-world scenario, if this is not set, new VMs may remain unmonitored until manually onboarded, creating security gaps.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SC-200 questions
1,639 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SC-200 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SC-200 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Manage a security operations environment practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Manage a security operations environment.
Respond to security incidents practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Respond to security incidents.
Perform threat hunting practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Perform threat hunting.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel.
SC-200 fundamentals practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 fundamentals.
SC-200 scenario practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 scenario.
SC-200 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SC-200 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: In Microsoft Defender for Cloud, under 'Environment settings' > 'Data collection' — Option B is correct because the automatic provisioning of the Log Analytics agent for all Azure virtual machines in Defender for Cloud is configured under 'Environment settings' > 'Data collection'. This setting enables Defender for Cloud to automatically deploy the Log Analytics agent to new and existing VMs, ensuring security monitoring without 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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SC-200
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A security administrator needs to ensure that all newly provisioned Azure virtual machines automatically install the Microsoft Defender for Cloud agent (Log Analytics agent) to enable security monitoring. Which configuration should be enabled in Defender for Cloud?
easy- ✓ A.Auto-provisioning of the Log Analytics agent
- B.Enable the Defender for Servers plan
- C.Configure a vulnerability assessment solution
- D.Enable just-in-time (JIT) VM access
Why A: Auto-provisioning of the Log Analytics agent in Microsoft Defender for Cloud automatically installs the Log Analytics agent (Microsoft Monitoring Agent) on all new Azure VMs. This ensures that security monitoring data, such as security events and syslog, is collected and sent to the Log Analytics workspace without manual intervention. The setting is found under 'Environment settings' > 'Auto provisioning' and must be toggled to 'On' for the agent to be deployed on newly provisioned VMs.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.