The answer is Office 365 audit logs (Exchange). This data source is the most relevant for detecting email forwarding exfiltration because it specifically captures changes to mailbox rules, including the creation or modification of forwarding rules that could redirect sensitive data externally. For the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to map the correct log source to a specific threat scenario; a common trap is confusing Azure AD sign-in logs, which only show authentication events, with Exchange audit logs that record mailbox configuration changes. To remember this, think of the mnemonic “Forwarding is a Mailbox Rule, not a Login Event”—if you are hunting for data exfiltration via email forwarding, always look to the Exchange portion of Office 365 audit logs in Microsoft Sentinel.
SC-200 Perform threat hunting Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. 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.
You are hunting for possible data exfiltration via email in Microsoft 365. Which data source in Microsoft Sentinel provides the most relevant telemetry for email forwarding rules?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Office 365 audit logs (Exchange)
Option D is correct because Office 365 audit logs capture changes to mailbox rules, including forwarding. Option A is wrong because Azure AD sign-in logs show authentication, not mail flow. Option B is wrong because Windows Security Events are for on-premises. Option C is wrong because Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps logs cover cloud app activity but not specifically mailbox rules.
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 logs
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud Apps provides app activity but not detailed mailbox rule changes.
✗
Windows Security Events
Why it's wrong here
Windows Security Events are for on-premises systems, not cloud mail.
✗
Azure AD sign-in logs
Why it's wrong here
Azure AD sign-in logs show user logins, not email forwarding rules.
✓
Office 365 audit logs (Exchange)
Why this is correct
Exchange audit logs record changes to mailbox forwarding rules, crucial for exfiltration hunting.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
Azure AD sign-in logs show user logins, not email forwarding rules.
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: Office 365 audit logs (Exchange) — Option D is correct because Office 365 audit logs capture changes to mailbox rules, including forwarding. Option A is wrong because Azure AD sign-in logs show authentication, not mail flow. Option B is wrong because Windows Security Events are for on-premises. Option C is wrong because Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps logs cover cloud app activity but not specifically mailbox rules.
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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