The answer is the Sentinel hunting query that filters ServicePrincipalSignInLogs for successful ResultType == 0 and ResourceDisplayName containing 'Key Vault'. This is correct because service principals are non-human identities used for automated access, and when compromised, they can silently authenticate to Key Vault and export secrets without triggering user-based alerts. The query specifically targets service principal sign-ins rather than user sign-ins, making it the precise tool to hunt for this kind of credential abuse. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between identity types in Azure AD logs—a common trap is choosing queries for user sign-ins or managed identities, which miss the broader service principal scope. Remember the mnemonic: SP for Service Principal, KV for Key Vault, and always check ResultType == 0 for successful access, because a compromised principal won’t fail authentication.
SC-200 Perform threat hunting Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. 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.
During a hunt, you discover that an attacker used a valid but compromised service principal to authenticate to Azure Key Vault and export secrets. Which Microsoft Sentinel hunting query would best identify similar activity across your environment?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ServicePrincipalSignInLogs | where ResultType == 0 | where ResourceDisplayName contains 'Key Vault'
Option C is correct because ServicePrincipalSignInLogs track service principal sign-ins, and auditing for successful access to Key Vault can reveal similar compromises. Option A is wrong because it's about user sign-ins. Option B is wrong because it's for user risk. Option D is wrong because it's for managed identity, not all service principals.
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.
✗
AADManagedIdentitySignInLogs | where ResultType == 0
Why it's wrong here
Managed identity logs are a subset; not all service principals use managed identities.
✓
ServicePrincipalSignInLogs | where ResultType == 0 | where ResourceDisplayName contains 'Key Vault'
Why this is correct
ServicePrincipalSignInLogs captures sign-ins for non-user identities, and filtering on Key Vault resource identifies access to secrets.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
SigninLogs | where ResultType == 0 | where AppDisplayName contains 'Key Vault'
Why it's wrong here
SigninLogs are for users, not service principals.
✗
AADUserRiskEvents | where RiskEventType == 'compromised'
Why it's wrong here
This shows user risk events, not service principal activity.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This shows user risk events, not service principal activity.
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 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.
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.
Perform threat hunting — This question tests Perform threat hunting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ServicePrincipalSignInLogs | where ResultType == 0 | where ResourceDisplayName contains 'Key Vault' — Option C is correct because ServicePrincipalSignInLogs track service principal sign-ins, and auditing for successful access to Key Vault can reveal similar compromises. Option A is wrong because it's about user sign-ins. Option B is wrong because it's for user risk. Option D is wrong because it's for managed identity, not all service principals.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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