The answer is isolate affected systems from the network, disable compromised accounts, and block malicious IPs. These three actions are correct because the containment phase in Microsoft incident response focuses on stopping the spread of an active threat while preserving system integrity for later analysis. Disabling compromised accounts cuts off attacker access, isolating systems prevents lateral movement, and blocking malicious IPs halts command-and-control communication. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish containment from investigation or communication phases—a common trap is confusing forensic data collection (which belongs to investigation) or stakeholder notification (which is communication) with true containment steps. Remember the memory tip: “Cut, Block, Lock”—cut network access, block bad IPs, lock compromised accounts.
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.
Which THREE actions are part of the containment phase in the Microsoft Incident Response process?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Block known malicious IP addresses at the firewall.
Options A, C, and D are correct. Disabling compromised accounts, isolating affected systems, and blocking malicious IPs are containment actions. Option B is wrong because collecting forensic data is part of investigation. Option E is wrong because notifying stakeholders is communication.
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.
✗
Notify senior management of the incident.
Why it's wrong here
Notification is communication, not containment.
✓
Block known malicious IP addresses at the firewall.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Disable compromised user accounts.
Why this is correct
Disabling accounts prevents further access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Isolate affected systems from the network.
Why this is correct
Isolation prevents spread.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Collect forensic data from affected systems.
Why it's wrong here
Collection is investigation, not containment.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
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.
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 known malicious IP addresses at the firewall. — Options A, C, and D are correct. Disabling compromised accounts, isolating affected systems, and blocking malicious IPs are containment actions. Option B is wrong because collecting forensic data is part of investigation. Option E is wrong because notifying stakeholders is communication.
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.
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Question Discussion
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