- A
Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Disabling the user account in Microsoft Entra ID immediately stops authentication, containing the attack.
- B
Remove the user from all privileged groups.
Why wrong: Removing the user from privileged groups does not prevent the account from authenticating; the attacker can still use it.
- C
Require the user to change their password at next sign-in.
Why wrong: Requiring a password change at next sign-in does not affect the current session; the attacker may already have access.
- D
Reset the user's password and notify the user.
Why wrong: Resetting the password alone does not deactivate the account; the attacker could have cached credentials or persistence.
Contain a Compromised Account: Disable in Microsoft Entra ID
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. A key principle to apply: microsoft Defender for Identity. 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 analyst receives a Microsoft Defender for Identity alert about a suspicious Kerberos attack. The analyst needs to contain the compromised account immediately. What should the analyst do?
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 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
Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Option A is correct because disabling the account in Microsoft Entra ID immediately revokes the account's ability to authenticate, containing the attack. Option B is incorrect because removing the user from privileged groups does not prevent the account from authenticating or performing non-privileged actions; the compromised account could still be used for lateral movement. Option C is incorrect because requiring a password change at next sign-in does not stop current active sessions or ongoing attacks. Option D is incorrect because resetting the password might not invalidate existing Kerberos tickets or active sessions, and notifying the user does not provide immediate containment.
Key principle: Microsoft Defender for Identity
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Why this is correct
Disabling the user account in Microsoft Entra ID immediately stops authentication, containing the attack.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Microsoft Defender for Identity
- ✗
Remove the user from all privileged groups.
Why it's wrong here
Removing the user from privileged groups does not prevent the account from authenticating; the attacker can still use it.
- ✗
Require the user to change their password at next sign-in.
Why it's wrong here
Requiring a password change at next sign-in does not affect the current session; the attacker may already have access.
- ✗
Reset the user's password and notify the user.
Why it's wrong here
Resetting the password alone does not deactivate the account; the attacker could have cached credentials or persistence.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The question tests the immediate containment step. Many candidates might think password reset or group removal is sufficient, but disabling the account is the fastest way to stop authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Microsoft Defender for Identity
- User account disabling
- Kerberos attack
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
Microsoft Defender for Identity
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review microsoft Defender for Identity, then practise related SC-200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Respond to security incidents — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Microsoft Defender for Identity.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID. — Option A is correct because disabling the account in Microsoft Entra ID immediately revokes the account's ability to authenticate, containing the attack. Option B is incorrect because removing the user from privileged groups does not prevent the account from authenticating or performing non-privileged actions; the compromised account could still be used for lateral movement. Option C is incorrect because requiring a password change at next sign-in does not stop current active sessions or ongoing attacks. Option D is incorrect because resetting the password might not invalidate existing Kerberos tickets or active sessions, and notifying the user does not provide immediate containment.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Review microsoft Defender for Identity, then practise related SC-200 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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?
Microsoft Defender for Identity
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
2 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 SOC analyst receives a Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps alert about a mass download of files from a SharePoint site by a single user. The analyst needs to contain the incident. Which action should be taken first?
easy- A.Increase the SharePoint download limit.
- B.Notify the user's manager.
- ✓ C.Suspend the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
- D.Run a malware scan on the downloaded files.
Why C: Suspending the user account in Microsoft Entra ID immediately revokes all access tokens and prevents further authentication, stopping the mass download in progress. This is the fastest containment action because it disables the user's ability to access any Microsoft 365 resource, including SharePoint, without waiting for other processes like scanning or notifications.
Variation 2. You receive a Microsoft Defender XDR incident alert about a suspicious sign-in from an unfamiliar location. The user confirms they did not perform the sign-in. What should you do to immediately secure the account?
easy- ✓ A.Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID
- B.Reset the user's password
- C.Block the IP address used for the suspicious sign-in
- D.Require the user to register for Microsoft Entra Multi-Factor Authentication
Why A: Disabling the user account in Microsoft Entra ID immediately prevents any further sign-ins, including any active sessions that may have been established. Resetting the password (option B) alone does not terminate sessions if the attacker has already obtained tokens. Blocking the IP address (option C) is not effective because the attacker could use multiple IPs or proxy services. Requiring MFA registration (option D) does not stop the current compromise since the attacker may have already authenticated. Therefore, disabling the account is the most effective immediate step.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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