Quick Answer
The answer is to collect the investigation package. This action is correct because it gathers a comprehensive set of forensic evidence from the Windows device—including files, processes, registry keys, and memory artifacts—directly addressing the need to capture data from suspicious PowerShell execution before any remediation steps alter the system state. On the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between investigative and remedial actions within Microsoft Defender for Endpoint; a common trap is confusing the investigation package with live response, but remember that live response is for real-time interactive analysis, not for collecting a full forensic snapshot. The key memory tip is “collect first, contain later”—the investigation package preserves the crime scene, while antivirus scans, isolation, and live response are for after evidence is secured.
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 company uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. A device shows signs of compromise with suspicious PowerShell execution. You need to collect forensic evidence before performing remediation. Which action should you use?
Isolate the device from the network.
Why wrong: Isolation is a containment step, not evidence collection.
Run a full antivirus scan.
Why wrong: Running a scan may alter evidence.
Collect investigation package.
This collects forensic evidence without altering the system state.
Initiate a live response session.
Why wrong: Live response is interactive but does not automatically collect a package.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Collect investigation package.
Option B is correct because 'Collect investigation package' gathers a comprehensive set of forensic data from the device, including files, processes, and registry. Option A (Run antivirus scan) is a remediation step. Option C (Initiate live response) allows real-time investigation but does not collect a full package. Option D (Isolate device) is a containment measure.
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.
Isolate the device from the network.
Why it's wrong here
Isolation is a containment step, not evidence collection.
Run a full antivirus scan.
Why it's wrong here
Running a scan may alter evidence.
Collect investigation package.
Why this is correct
This collects forensic evidence without altering the system state.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Initiate a live response session.
Why it's wrong here
Live response is interactive but does not automatically collect a package.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Collect investigation package. — Option B is correct because 'Collect investigation package' gathers a comprehensive set of forensic data from the device, including files, processes, and registry. Option A (Run antivirus scan) is a remediation step. Option C (Initiate live response) allows real-time investigation but does not collect a full package. Option D (Isolate device) is a containment measure.
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.
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
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. During a security incident, you need to collect forensic evidence from a compromised Windows device. Which Microsoft Defender for Endpoint action should you use to collect a memory dump?
mediumWhy C: Option C is correct because 'Collect investigation package' gathers forensic data including memory dump. Option A is wrong because 'Run antivirus scan' only scans for malware. Option B is wrong because 'Isolate device' disconnects from network but does not collect memory. Option D is wrong because 'Initiate Live Response' provides remote shell but does not specifically collect memory dump as a single action.
Variation 2. During a security incident response, you need to collect forensic evidence from a Windows 10 device that is suspected to be compromised. The device is not domain-joined and is located in a remote office. You have remote administrative access. Which Microsoft 365 tool should you use to acquire a memory dump of the device?
easyWhy D: Option C is correct because Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) includes live response capabilities that allow you to collect memory dumps from remote devices. Option A is wrong because Microsoft Intune is for device management, not forensic collection. Option B is wrong because Microsoft Purview eDiscovery is for content searches and legal holds, not live memory acquisition. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM, not a tool for direct forensic collection from endpoints.
Variation 3. During an incident response, you need to collect a forensic image of a Windows 10 device managed by Microsoft Intune. Which Microsoft Defender XDR feature should you use?
easyWhy C: Option B is correct because Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's Live Response allows you to collect forensic data from devices. Option A is wrong because Microsoft Purview eDiscovery is for content search and legal hold. Option C is wrong because Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is for cloud app security. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM, not for live forensic collection.
Variation 4. During an incident response, a forensic investigator needs to collect a memory dump from a compromised Windows server that is still running. The server has Microsoft Defender for Endpoint installed but is not connected to the internet. Which method should the investigator use?
hardWhy B: Option D is correct because Live Response allows a live memory dump from an offline device via a connected channel. Option A is wrong because the device is offline, so the portal cannot initiate a dump. Option B is wrong because snapshot collection requires the device to be online. Option C is wrong because Sysinternals is not part of Microsoft's recommended forensic toolkit for this scenario.
Variation 5. Which THREE are valid methods to collect forensic evidence from a compromised Windows machine during incident response in Microsoft Defender XDR? (Choose three.)
hardWhy B: Option A, B, and D are correct: Live Response allows script execution and file collection; collecting memory dump captures volatile evidence; exporting event logs provides timeline. Option C is wrong because full disk imaging is not natively supported in Microsoft Defender XDR. Option E is wrong because resetting the device destroys evidence.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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