The answer is Defender for SQL, the Microsoft Defender for Cloud plan specifically designed for hybrid threat detection across both on-premises SQL Server instances and Azure SQL Database. This plan unifies protection by extending advanced threat detection and vulnerability assessment to on-premises SQL servers through Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server, while simultaneously covering Azure SQL Database and SQL Managed Instance. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of how Defender for Cloud plans map to specific resource types—a common trap is confusing Defender for SQL with Defender for Servers or Defender for Cloud Apps, which do not provide native SQL-level threat detection. Remember that Defender for SQL is the only plan that directly monitors SQL-specific attack vectors like SQL injection and brute-force attempts across hybrid environments. A useful memory tip: think of Defender for SQL as the “SQL-only shield” that works wherever your SQL data lives, on-premises or in the cloud, while other plans protect the underlying infrastructure or applications.
SC-200 Practice Question: Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft defender for cloud. 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.
An organization has enabled enhanced security features for a hybrid infrastructure including SQL servers on-premises and in Azure. Which Microsoft Defender for Cloud plan provides threat detection for both SQL Server on-premises and Azure SQL Database?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Defender for SQL
Defender for SQL is the correct plan because it is specifically designed to protect both on-premises SQL Server instances (via Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server) and Azure SQL Database. It provides threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and advanced threat protection across the hybrid SQL estate, unlike other Defender plans that focus on different resource types.
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.
✗
Defender for Servers
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Servers protects VMs but not specifically SQL databases.
✓
Defender for SQL
Why this is correct
Defender for SQL provides threat detection for SQL Server workloads including on-premises and Azure SQL Database.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Defender for Databases
Why it's wrong here
This is not an official plan name; the correct plan is Defender for SQL.
✗
Defender for Storage
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Storage protects Azure Storage accounts, not SQL workloads.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'Defender for Databases' (a broader, non-existent plan in the current Microsoft Defender for Cloud portfolio) with 'Defender for SQL,' which is the actual plan that covers both on-premises and Azure SQL databases.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Defender for SQL uses the SQL Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) engine, which analyzes SQL audit logs and database activity to detect brute-force attacks, SQL injection, and anomalous access patterns. For on-premises SQL Server, it requires Azure Arc to connect the instance to Azure, enabling the same threat detection policies as Azure SQL Database. This unified approach ensures consistent security posture across hybrid environments without needing separate agents or configurations.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Defender for SQL — Defender for SQL is the correct plan because it is specifically designed to protect both on-premises SQL Server instances (via Azure Arc-enabled SQL Server) and Azure SQL Database. It provides threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and advanced threat protection across the hybrid SQL estate, unlike other Defender plans that focus on different resource types.
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.
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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