The answer is a KQL query against the AzureDiagnostics table, combined with summarize and count, and an alert threshold. This trio is essential because to detect brute force attacks on Azure SQL with Sentinel, you must first pull the raw failed login events from the AzureDiagnostics table, which stores SQL server audit logs. Then, using the summarize operator with a timebin and count aggregates those failures per source IP address, allowing you to spot the rapid succession of attempts characteristic of a brute force. Finally, setting an alert threshold ensures the rule triggers only when the count exceeds a defined number, minimizing false positives from isolated typos. On the SC-200 exam, this tests your ability to build a high-fidelity analytics rule from scratch, and a common trap is confusing AzureDiagnostics with the SQLInsights table, which does not contain raw login events. Remember the mnemonic: Query, Aggregate, Threshold—the three pillars of a precise brute force detection rule.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Sentinel. A new analytics rule is needed to detect brute-force attacks against your Azure SQL databases. The rule should minimize false positives and trigger only when multiple failed logins occur from a single IP address within a short time window. Which THREE components are essential for building this rule?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An alert threshold set to trigger when the count exceeds 10 failed attempts in 5 minutes.
Options A, B, and E are correct. The rule must query AzureDiagnostics (A) to get SQL logs, use summarize with count and timebin (B) to aggregate failures, and set an alert threshold (E) to trigger only on multiple failures. Option C is wrong because SQLInsights is not a log table. Option D is wrong because watchlists are not essential for this detection.
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.
✓
An alert threshold set to trigger when the count exceeds 10 failed attempts in 5 minutes.
Why this is correct
Threshold reduces false positives.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A reference to the SQLInsights table for performance data.
Why it's wrong here
SQLInsights is for performance, not security events.
✓
A summarize operator in KQL to count failed login attempts per IP address within a timebin.
Why this is correct
Summarize aggregates the failures per IP.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
A KQL query against the AzureDiagnostics table filtering for failed login events.
Why this is correct
AzureDiagnostics contains SQL audit logs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A watchlist containing known malicious IP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
Watchlists are optional; the rule should detect any IP with high failures.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: An alert threshold set to trigger when the count exceeds 10 failed attempts in 5 minutes. — Options A, B, and E are correct. The rule must query AzureDiagnostics (A) to get SQL logs, use summarize with count and timebin (B) to aggregate failures, and set an alert threshold (E) to trigger only on multiple failures. Option C is wrong because SQLInsights is not a log table. Option D is wrong because watchlists are not essential for this detection.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Based on the ARM template snippet, what is the purpose of this analytics rule?
medium
✓ A.To detect multiple failed logon attempts within a time window
✓ B.To detect brute force attacks on user accounts
C.To detect successful logins by account
D.To detect account lockouts
Why A: Option C is correct because the query counts failed logon events (EventID 4625) and triggers when count > 5, indicating brute force attempts. Option A is wrong because EventID 4625 is failed logon, not success. Option B is wrong because the query does not include multiple event IDs. Option D is wrong because the query does not check for account lockouts.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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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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