- A
Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Azure Defender) alerts
Defender for Cloud can detect file encryption patterns and provide alerts with detailed process and file information.
- B
Azure Activity Log
Why wrong: Azure Activity Log records control plane operations (e.g., VM creation) not file-level changes.
- C
Windows Security Events via MMA
Why wrong: Standard security events (4663) may show file access but not specifically encryption; also MMA is deprecated.
- D
Sysmon events via Azure Monitor Agent
Why wrong: Sysmon can log file creation events but requires specific configuration to detect encryption; also not as directly integrated.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 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?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Azure Defender) alerts
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.
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.
- ✓
Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Azure Defender) alerts
Why this is correct
Defender for Cloud can detect file encryption patterns and provide alerts with detailed process and file information.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Azure Activity Log
Why it's wrong here
Azure Activity Log records control plane operations (e.g., VM creation) not file-level changes.
- ✗
Windows Security Events via MMA
Why it's wrong here
Standard security events (4663) may show file access but not specifically encryption; also MMA is deprecated.
- ✗
Sysmon events via Azure Monitor Agent
Why it's wrong here
Sysmon can log file creation events but requires specific configuration to detect encryption; also not as directly integrated.
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
Standard security events (4663) may show file access but not specifically encryption; also MMA is deprecated.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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Respond to security incidents — study guide chapter
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Respond to security incidents practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
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: Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Azure Defender) alerts — 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.
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.
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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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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