The answer is that Microsoft Defender for Identity must be onboarded and connected to Microsoft Defender XDR, with automated investigation and response (AIR) explicitly enabled in the Defender XDR settings. This is correct because AIR is not automatically active when you connect Defender for Identity; it requires a deliberate toggle in the Microsoft Defender XDR portal under the automated investigation and response configuration. Without this setting enabled, Defender XDR will not trigger any automated actions for Defender for Identity alerts, even if the sensor is properly deployed and data is flowing. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of the dependency chain: you need the identity sensor onboarded, the data connector to XDR, and the AIR toggle turned on—missing any one breaks the automation. A common trap is assuming that simply connecting the product enables AIR, but the exam emphasizes that the toggle is a separate, mandatory step. Memory tip: think “Onboard, Connect, Toggle”—three distinct actions, not just two.
SC-200 Manage a security operations environment Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. 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.
Which THREE components are required to enable automated investigation and response (AIR) in Microsoft Defender XDR for alerts from Microsoft Defender for Identity?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Automated investigation and response enabled in Microsoft Defender XDR.
Option B is correct because automated investigation and response (AIR) must be explicitly enabled in Microsoft Defender XDR to allow the platform to automatically respond to alerts. Without this setting enabled, even if other components are in place, the system will not trigger automated actions for Defender for Identity alerts.
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 Sentinel workspace configured to ingest Defender for Identity alerts.
Why it's wrong here
Sentinel is not required for AIR in Defender XDR.
✓
Automated investigation and response enabled in Microsoft Defender XDR.
Why this is correct
AIR must be turned on.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
A Microsoft 365 E5 license.
Why this is correct
E5 includes Defender for Identity and AIR capabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Microsoft Defender for Identity onboarded and connected to Microsoft Defender XDR.
Why this is correct
Defender for Identity must be integrated.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A custom playbook in Microsoft Sentinel.
Why it's wrong here
Built-in AIR does not require Sentinel or playbooks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the need for a SIEM (Sentinel) or custom automation (playbooks) with the built-in, native AIR capabilities of Microsoft Defender XDR, leading them to select unnecessary components like A or E.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
AIR in Microsoft Defender XDR leverages a set of predefined playbooks and automated actions that run directly within the Defender XDR environment, using the Microsoft 365 Defender API to correlate signals across workloads. When a Defender for Identity alert triggers AIR, the system automatically investigates related entities (e.g., user accounts, devices) and can take actions like suspending a compromised account or blocking an IP, all without requiring a Sentinel workspace or custom playbook.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
Manage a security operations environment — This question tests Manage a security operations environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Automated investigation and response enabled in Microsoft Defender XDR. — Option B is correct because automated investigation and response (AIR) must be explicitly enabled in Microsoft Defender XDR to allow the platform to automatically respond to alerts. Without this setting enabled, even if other components are in place, the system will not trigger automated actions for Defender for Identity alerts.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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