The answer is Indicators of Compromise (IoC). In Microsoft Defender XDR, the IoC feature allows security analysts to create custom indicators that can block specific PowerShell commands, file hashes, IPs, or URLs across all endpoints immediately, making it the precise tool for ad-hoc command blocking during incident response. This tests your understanding of how to operationalize threat intelligence in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal, a core skill for the SC-200 exam. A common trap is confusing IoCs with Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules, but remember that ASR rules are broader, policy-based controls for common attack patterns, whereas IoCs are designed for rapid, targeted blocking of specific artifacts like a malicious command string. For the exam, think of IoCs as your "emergency stop button" for a specific threat, while ASR is your "permanent guardrail." Memory tip: IoC = "I oC the threat" — you see it, you block it.
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.
During an incident response, your team identifies a suspicious PowerShell command executed on multiple devices. Which Microsoft Defender XDR feature should you use to block the command across all endpoints immediately?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Indicators of compromise (IoC)
Option C is correct because Microsoft Defender XDR's Indicator of Compromise (IoC) allows custom indicators to block file hashes, IPs, URLs, or commands. Option A is wrong because ASR rules are broader and not designed for ad-hoc command blocking. Option B is wrong because Device Control manages hardware peripherals. Option D is wrong because PUA protection targets potentially unwanted applications, not specific commands.
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.
✗
Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) protection
Why it's wrong here
PUA protection targets unwanted apps, not specific commands.
✓
Indicators of compromise (IoC)
Why this is correct
IoC allows blocking of malicious commands via custom indicators.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules
Why it's wrong here
ASR rules are pre-configured to reduce attack surface, not for immediate custom command blocking.
✗
Device Control policies
Why it's wrong here
Device Control restricts peripheral devices, not commands.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
PUA protection targets unwanted apps, not specific commands.
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
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.
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.
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: Indicators of compromise (IoC) — Option C is correct because Microsoft Defender XDR's Indicator of Compromise (IoC) allows custom indicators to block file hashes, IPs, URLs, or commands. Option A is wrong because ASR rules are broader and not designed for ad-hoc command blocking. Option B is wrong because Device Control manages hardware peripherals. Option D is wrong because PUA protection targets potentially unwanted applications, not specific commands.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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