- A
Run a KQL query in the Sentinel Logs workspace: CommonSecurityLog | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | take 10
This query quickly reveals if any CommonSecurityLog records have been ingested in the last hour, indicating logs are reaching the workspace.
- B
Check the firewall configuration to ensure syslog forwarding is enabled and pointing to the correct Linux forwarder
Why wrong: While essential, this is a second step after confirming logs are not present in Sentinel.
- C
Verify network connectivity between the firewall and the Linux forwarder on port 514 (or the configured port)
Why wrong: Connectivity checks are important but a log presence check is simpler and more direct.
- D
Restart the Log Analytics agent on the Linux forwarder
Why wrong: Restarting the agent should be a last resort after verifying configuration and log flow.
SC-200 Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft sentinel. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An organization has connected a Palo Alto Networks firewall to Microsoft Sentinel using the Common Event Format (CEF) connector via a Linux log forwarder. The analyst notices that some expected firewall logs are missing in Sentinel. Which troubleshooting step should be performed first to check if the logs are reaching the Sentinel workspace?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Run a KQL query in the Sentinel Logs workspace: CommonSecurityLog | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | take 10
Option A is correct because the first step in troubleshooting missing logs in Microsoft Sentinel is to verify whether the logs are actually reaching the workspace. Running a KQL query against the CommonSecurityLog table (which stores CEF data) with a recent time filter confirms if any CEF logs have been ingested. If the query returns results, the issue lies elsewhere (e.g., parsing or missing events); if it returns no results, the problem is upstream (connector, forwarder, or source). This step isolates the problem to the Sentinel ingestion pipeline before investigating network or configuration issues.
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.
- ✓
Run a KQL query in the Sentinel Logs workspace: CommonSecurityLog | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | take 10
Why this is correct
This query quickly reveals if any CommonSecurityLog records have been ingested in the last hour, indicating logs are reaching the workspace.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Check the firewall configuration to ensure syslog forwarding is enabled and pointing to the correct Linux forwarder
Why it's wrong here
While essential, this is a second step after confirming logs are not present in Sentinel.
- ✗
Verify network connectivity between the firewall and the Linux forwarder on port 514 (or the configured port)
Why it's wrong here
Connectivity checks are important but a log presence check is simpler and more direct.
- ✗
Restart the Log Analytics agent on the Linux forwarder
Why it's wrong here
Restarting the agent should be a last resort after verifying configuration and log flow.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to checking the source (firewall) or network connectivity first, but Microsoft Sentinel expects you to start by verifying data ingestion at the workspace level using KQL, as this immediately confirms whether the entire pipeline is working or broken.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The CommonSecurityLog table in Sentinel is populated by the Log Analytics agent on the Linux forwarder, which listens for CEF-formatted syslog messages (typically on TCP/UDP 514) and forwards them to the Sentinel workspace via the OMS endpoint. A KQL query against this table with a recent time filter (e.g., `TimeGenerated > ago(1h)`) is the fastest way to confirm ingestion. If no records appear, the issue could be at the agent (e.g., incorrect parsing, agent not running, or network blocked to *.ods.opinsights.azure.com) or at the source (firewall not sending). This approach follows the OSI model’s top-down troubleshooting principle—check the application layer (Sentinel) first.
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
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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run a KQL query in the Sentinel Logs workspace: CommonSecurityLog | where TimeGenerated > ago(1h) | take 10 — Option A is correct because the first step in troubleshooting missing logs in Microsoft Sentinel is to verify whether the logs are actually reaching the workspace. Running a KQL query against the CommonSecurityLog table (which stores CEF data) with a recent time filter confirms if any CEF logs have been ingested. If the query returns results, the issue lies elsewhere (e.g., parsing or missing events); if it returns no results, the problem is upstream (connector, forwarder, or source). This step isolates the problem to the Sentinel ingestion pipeline before investigating network or configuration issues.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
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