- A
Collect an investigation package for analysis
Why wrong: This is for investigation, not immediate containment.
- B
Disable the user account that was logged on
Why wrong: The ransomware is already running; disabling the account does not stop the process.
- C
Initiate the 'Contain device' action from Microsoft Defender XDR
This isolates the device, stopping lateral movement and encryption.
- D
Run a full antivirus scan on the server
Why wrong: Scanning does not contain the threat; it only detects.
Question 911 of 1,639
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.
Your company uses Microsoft Defender XDR. A critical server is exhibiting signs of a potential ransomware attack, with files being encrypted and a ransom note appearing. The incident has been escalated to the security operations center (SOC). What is the most immediate action to contain the threat and prevent further spread?
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
✓
Initiate the 'Contain device' action from Microsoft Defender XDR
The correct answer is Option C: Initiate the 'Contain device' action from Microsoft Defender XDR. This action immediately isolates the compromised device from the network, preventing the ransomware from spreading to other systems. Option A is incorrect because collecting an investigation package is for forensic analysis, not containment. Option B is incorrect because disabling the user account does not stop the ransomware process that is already running on the server. Option D is incorrect because running a full antivirus scan takes time and does not contain the threat; containment must happen first.
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.
- ✗
Collect an investigation package for analysis
Why it's wrong here
This is for investigation, not immediate containment.
- ✗
Disable the user account that was logged on
Why it's wrong here
The ransomware is already running; disabling the account does not stop the process.
- ✓
Initiate the 'Contain device' action from Microsoft Defender XDR
Why this is correct
This isolates the device, stopping lateral movement and encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the server
Why it's wrong here
Scanning does not contain the threat; it only detects.
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.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
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: Initiate the 'Contain device' action from Microsoft Defender XDR — The correct answer is Option C: Initiate the 'Contain device' action from Microsoft Defender XDR. This action immediately isolates the compromised device from the network, preventing the ransomware from spreading to other systems. Option A is incorrect because collecting an investigation package is for forensic analysis, not containment. Option B is incorrect because disabling the user account does not stop the ransomware process that is already running on the server. Option D is incorrect because running a full antivirus scan takes time and does not contain the threat; containment must happen first.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
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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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