- A
Run a threat hunting query to find all users who clicked the link.
Why wrong: Investigation should follow containment.
- B
Block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
Stops access to the URL across all devices.
- C
Isolate the device of the user who reported the email.
Why wrong: The user didn't click; isolation is not needed.
- D
Delete the email from all users' mailboxes using Microsoft 365 Defender.
Why wrong: Deletion doesn't prevent access if users already clicked.
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 Sentinel as its SIEM. You are investigating an incident where a user reported receiving a phishing email that appeared to come from the CEO requesting a wire transfer. The user did not respond. However, the incident also contains alerts from Microsoft Defender for Office 365 indicating that other users clicked on a malicious link in a similar email. The email was sent to 100 users. The company has Microsoft Defender for Endpoint deployed on all devices. The incident requires immediate containment to prevent further compromise. What should you do first?
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
Block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
Option B is correct because blocking the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (now part of Microsoft 365 Defender) immediately prevents all users from accessing the phishing link, stopping further compromise at the network level. This is the fastest containment action as it applies a URL block across the tenant without requiring individual mailbox or device actions. The incident involves multiple users clicking the link, so a URL block is the most efficient first step to halt the attack chain.
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 threat hunting query to find all users who clicked the link.
Why it's wrong here
Investigation should follow containment.
- ✓
Block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
Why this is correct
Stops access to the URL across all devices.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Isolate the device of the user who reported the email.
Why it's wrong here
The user didn't click; isolation is not needed.
- ✗
Delete the email from all users' mailboxes using Microsoft 365 Defender.
Why it's wrong here
Deletion doesn't prevent access if users already clicked.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse containment with investigation or remediation, often choosing to delete the email (D) or isolate a device (C) instead of recognizing that blocking the URL is the fastest way to stop all users from accessing the malicious link, which is the immediate containment priority.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps uses URL threat intelligence and real-time session controls to block malicious URLs at the proxy level, applying the block to all users and devices regardless of client or browser. This action leverages the built-in URL detonation and reputation services in Microsoft 365 Defender, which can block the URL even if it is accessed from a different email or web request. In a real-world scenario, attackers often reuse the same URL across multiple campaigns, so blocking it in Defender for Cloud Apps provides a tenant-wide, persistent block that also covers future attempts.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps. — Option B is correct because blocking the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (now part of Microsoft 365 Defender) immediately prevents all users from accessing the phishing link, stopping further compromise at the network level. This is the fastest containment action as it applies a URL block across the tenant without requiring individual mailbox or device actions. The incident involves multiple users clicking the link, so a URL block is the most efficient first step to halt the attack chain.
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.
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: Jul 4, 2026
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