The answer is Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Live Response. This is the correct choice because Live Response provides a remote shell connection that allows a SOC analyst to run forensic commands, collect malicious files, and pull artifacts directly from affected endpoints in real time, all without requiring manual intervention on the device. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Microsoft security tools during incident response: Live Response is purpose-built for endpoint file collection, while Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps focuses on SaaS app security, Microsoft Sentinel is a SIEM for log aggregation, and Microsoft Purview handles data compliance. A common trap is confusing Sentinel’s investigative capabilities with live file retrieval—remember that Sentinel can query logs but cannot pull files from endpoints. For a memory tip, think “Live Response = live file collection from the endpoint,” contrasting with Sentinel’s “dead” log analysis.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
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 an incident response, a SOC analyst identifies that a malicious PowerShell script was executed on multiple endpoints. The analyst needs to collect relevant files from all affected endpoints for further analysis. What should the analyst use?
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 Endpoint Live Response.
Option D is correct because Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's Live Response allows collecting files from endpoints. Option A is wrong because Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps does not collect files from endpoints. Option B is wrong because Microsoft Sentinel is for SIEM, not live file collection. Option C is wrong because Microsoft Purview is for compliance.
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 Apps file investigation.
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud Apps does not collect files from endpoints.
✗
Microsoft Purview eDiscovery.
Why it's wrong here
eDiscovery is for compliance, not live endpoint collection.
✓
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Live Response.
Why this is correct
Live Response allows remote file collection from endpoints.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Microsoft Sentinel incident investigation graph.
Why it's wrong here
Sentinel investigation graph links alerts but does not collect files.
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: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Live Response. — Option D is correct because Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's Live Response allows collecting files from endpoints. Option A is wrong because Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps does not collect files from endpoints. Option B is wrong because Microsoft Sentinel is for SIEM, not live file collection. Option C is wrong because Microsoft Purview is for compliance.
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.
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Question Discussion
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