Quick Answer
The answer is the Microsoft Purview data access logs. This is correct because these logs are specifically designed to track every instance of sensitive data being accessed, including details on what data was accessed and by which user, directly within the Purview Information Protection ecosystem. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between logs that record authentication events versus those that record data-level actions; a common trap is confusing Azure AD sign-in logs, which only show login success, with Purview’s granular access records. Remember that Office 365 audit logs may lack Purview-specific data, and Microsoft 365 Defender alerts focus on threats, not historical access. To identify sensitive data access in Microsoft Purview, always go straight to the source—the Purview data access logs. Memory tip: “Purview logs prove who viewed.”
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 an incident investigation, you discover that an attacker used a legitimate account to access sensitive data in Microsoft Purview Information Protection. You need to identify what data was accessed and by whom. Which log source should you query?
Microsoft 365 Defender alerts
Why wrong: Alerts are generated for detections, but not for detailed access logs.
Microsoft Purview data access logs
Purview logs track access to sensitive data, including who accessed what.
Microsoft Entra ID sign-in logs
Why wrong: Sign-in logs show authentication, not data access.
Office 365 audit logs (unified audit log)
Why wrong: Unified audit log may not include Purview-specific data access events.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Microsoft Purview data access logs
Option D is correct because Purview logs track access to sensitive data. Option A is wrong because Azure AD sign-in logs show authentication only. Option B is wrong because Office 365 audit logs may not include Purview data access. Option C is wrong because Microsoft 365 Defender alerts are for detections, not detailed access logs.
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.
Microsoft 365 Defender alerts
Why it's wrong here
Alerts are generated for detections, but not for detailed access logs.
Microsoft Purview data access logs
Why this is correct
Purview logs track access to sensitive data, including who accessed what.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Microsoft Entra ID sign-in logs
Why it's wrong here
Sign-in logs show authentication, not data access.
Office 365 audit logs (unified audit log)
Why it's wrong here
Unified audit log may not include Purview-specific data access events.
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
Sign-in logs show authentication, not data access.
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 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.
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: Microsoft Purview data access logs — Option D is correct because Purview logs track access to sensitive data. Option A is wrong because Azure AD sign-in logs show authentication only. Option B is wrong because Office 365 audit logs may not include Purview data access. Option C is wrong because Microsoft 365 Defender alerts are for detections, not detailed access logs.
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.
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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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