Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Activity Log, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft 365 Defender. These three resources serve as primary data sources for security incident detection in Microsoft Sentinel because they provide distinct, high-fidelity telemetry: the Azure Activity Log captures subscription-level operational events, Microsoft Defender for Cloud delivers cross-cloud security alerts, and Microsoft 365 Defender supplies integrated signals from endpoints, identities, and email. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between data sources that generate security events versus those that offer advisory or cost data—a common trap is selecting Azure Advisor, which provides optimization recommendations, or Azure Cost Management, which focuses on billing. Remember that Sentinel ingests logs and alerts for detection, not suggestions or spending data. A useful memory tip is to think of the three “A”s: Activity, Alerts (Defender for Cloud), and Advanced protection (M365 Defender).
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 resources can be used as data sources for Microsoft Sentinel to detect security incidents? (Choose three.)
Microsoft 365 Defender
Provides integrated threat signals from endpoints, email, etc.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Provides security alerts and posture data.
Azure Activity Log
Captures resource management events.
Azure Cost Management
Why wrong: Cost data is not security-relevant.
Azure Advisor
Why wrong: Advisor provides best practice recommendations, not security events.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Microsoft 365 Defender
Option A, C, and D are correct: Azure Activity Log provides subscription-level events; Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides security alerts; Microsoft 365 Defender provides integrated signals. Option B is wrong because Azure Advisor provides recommendations, not security events. Option E is wrong because Azure Cost Management is cost-related.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Microsoft 365 Defender
Why this is correct
Provides integrated threat signals from endpoints, email, etc.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Why this is correct
Provides security alerts and posture data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Activity Log
Why this is correct
Captures resource management events.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Cost Management
Why it's wrong here
Cost data is not security-relevant.
Azure Advisor
Why it's wrong here
Advisor provides best practice recommendations, not security events.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
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 — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Microsoft 365 Defender — Option A, C, and D are correct: Azure Activity Log provides subscription-level events; Microsoft Defender for Cloud provides security alerts; Microsoft 365 Defender provides integrated signals. Option B is wrong because Azure Advisor provides recommendations, not security events. Option E is wrong because Azure Cost Management is cost-related.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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