Quick Answer
The answer is automation rules, as they provide the simplest and most efficient method to automatically close low severity incidents after inactivity in Microsoft Sentinel. Automation rules are designed to handle incident lifecycle tasks based on triggers like severity and time since last update, making them ideal for this scenario—you can configure a rule to run when an incident is created or updated, check for a severity of "Low" and a 24-hour period of no activity, then apply an action to close it. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of when to use automation rules versus playbooks; a common trap is choosing playbooks because they seem more powerful, but automation rules are the correct, lightweight solution for simple, condition-based closures without complex logic. Remember the memory tip: "Automation rules for the rules, playbooks for the heavy books"—if you can set it with a simple condition and action, stick with automation rules.
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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Sentinel to manage security incidents. The security team wants to automatically close low-severity incidents after 24 hours if no activity has occurred. Which feature should you use?
Playbooks
Why wrong: Playbooks can close incidents but automation rules are more straightforward.
Automation rules
Automation rules can close incidents based on conditions.
Watchlists
Why wrong: Watchlists are not used for incident closure.
Analytics rules
Why wrong: Analytics rules generate incidents, not close them.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Automation rules
Option A is correct because automation rules can automatically close incidents based on conditions like severity and time since last update. Option B is wrong because playbooks are for complex actions, but automation rules are simpler. Option C is wrong because analytics rules generate incidents, they don't close them. Option D is wrong because watchlists are not used for incident lifecycle.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Playbooks
Why it's wrong here
Playbooks can close incidents but automation rules are more straightforward.
Automation rules
Why this is correct
Automation rules can close incidents based on conditions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Watchlists
Why it's wrong here
Watchlists are not used for incident closure.
Analytics rules
Why it's wrong here
Analytics rules generate incidents, not close them.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
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FAQ
Manage a security operations environment — This question tests Manage a security operations environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Automation rules — Option A is correct because automation rules can automatically close incidents based on conditions like severity and time since last update. Option B is wrong because playbooks are for complex actions, but automation rules are simpler. Option C is wrong because analytics rules generate incidents, they don't close them. Option D is wrong because watchlists are not used for incident lifecycle.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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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