Quick Answer
The answer is DeviceFileEvents, the table in Advanced Hunting specifically designed to track file creation, modification, and deletion events on Windows endpoints managed by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. When investigating a ransomware incident, an analyst needs to find encrypted files by looking for mass file rename or write operations, which DeviceFileEvents captures natively, whereas other tables like DeviceProcessEvents track process executions or network connections. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to map forensic evidence to the correct schema, often appearing as a scenario where you must distinguish between file-level and process-level hunting. A common trap is confusing DeviceFileEvents with DeviceProcessEvents, but remember: if the evidence is about the file itself—its creation, renaming, or encryption—you query the file table. Memory tip: "Files are Events, Processes are Actions"—so for encrypted files, always start with DeviceFileEvents.
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.
During a ransomware incident, an analyst needs to identify which files were encrypted on an endpoint. The endpoint is running Windows and is managed by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Which data source should the analyst query in Advanced hunting?
DeviceRegistryEvents
Why wrong: Registry events are for registry changes.
DeviceNetworkEvents
Why wrong: Network events are for connections.
DeviceProcessEvents
Why wrong: Process events don't show file encryption.
DeviceFileEvents
File events show modifications like encryption.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DeviceFileEvents
DeviceFileEvents tracks file creation, modification, and deletion. Option A is for processes; Option C is for network; Option D is for registry.
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.
DeviceRegistryEvents
Why it's wrong here
Registry events are for registry changes.
DeviceNetworkEvents
Why it's wrong here
Network events are for connections.
DeviceProcessEvents
Why it's wrong here
Process events don't show file encryption.
DeviceFileEvents
Why this is correct
File events show modifications like encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Process events don't show file encryption.
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 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.
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.
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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: DeviceFileEvents — DeviceFileEvents tracks file creation, modification, and deletion. Option A is for processes; Option C is for network; Option D is for registry.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
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. During a ransomware investigation, a security analyst finds that multiple files on a file server have been encrypted. The server runs Microsoft Defender for Cloud and has been onboarded to Microsoft Sentinel. Which data source in Sentinel would provide the most granular information about the file encryption events?
hardWhy A: Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formerly Azure Defender) provides file integrity monitoring and security events at the OS level. Sysmon via AMA would need specific configuration; Windows Security Events may not capture encryption; Azure Activity Log is for control plane events.
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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