- A
Run a remediation action to delete the detected malware
Why wrong: Deleting malware does not undo encryption.
- B
Restore encrypted files from backup
Why wrong: Restoration should occur after containment.
- C
Run a full antivirus scan on all devices
Why wrong: Scanning is not the first containment step.
- D
Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Isolation prevents further spread.
Question 8 of 1,639
First Containment Action for Ransomware
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.
You are responding to a ransomware incident in Microsoft Defender XDR. You have identified that the malware encrypted files on several devices and then deleted the volume shadow copies. Which of the following actions should you take first to contain the incident?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
✓
Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Isolating affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is the correct first action because it immediately cuts off network communication, preventing the ransomware from spreading laterally to other devices and stopping further encryption or deletion of shadow copies. Containment must precede remediation to limit the blast radius, and Defender for Endpoint's device isolation feature achieves this at the network level without requiring physical disconnection.
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.
- ✗
Run a remediation action to delete the detected malware
Why it's wrong here
Deleting malware does not undo encryption.
- ✗
Restore encrypted files from backup
Why it's wrong here
Restoration should occur after containment.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on all devices
Why it's wrong here
Scanning is not the first containment step.
- ✓
Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Why this is correct
Isolation prevents further spread.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse containment with remediation, choosing to delete malware or run scans first, but the SC-200 exam emphasizes that immediate isolation is the priority to stop lateral spread before any cleanup or recovery actions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint's device isolation works by applying a network policy via the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint agent, which blocks all inbound and outbound traffic except for communication with the Defender for Endpoint cloud service and a few pre-approved Microsoft services (e.g., Windows Update). This is achieved through a Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) callout driver that enforces the isolation at the kernel level, ensuring the device cannot be used as a pivot point for lateral movement even if the attacker has administrative privileges.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
Quick reference
AAA Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port(s) | Encryption | Transport | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADIUS | 1812 / 1813 | Password only | UDP | Network access control |
| TACACS+ | 49 | Full packet | TCP | Device administration |
| Diameter | 3868 | Full session | TCP / SCTP | Carrier / mobile networks |
| 802.1X | — | EAP-based | Layer 2 | Port-based access control |
TACACS+ encrypts the entire packet; RADIUS only encrypts the password field — a key exam distinction.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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: Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint — Isolating affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is the correct first action because it immediately cuts off network communication, preventing the ransomware from spreading laterally to other devices and stopping further encryption or deletion of shadow copies. Containment must precede remediation to limit the blast radius, and Defender for Endpoint's device isolation feature achieves this at the network level without requiring physical disconnection.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on SC-200
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. A user reports that their device is running slowly and exhibiting unusual network activity. You run a live response session and find a suspicious process running. Which action should you take first to contain the threat?
medium- A.Collect a full memory dump for analysis.
- B.Terminate the suspicious process.
- ✓ C.Isolate the device from the network.
- D.Add a firewall rule to block outbound traffic from the device.
Why C: Option C is correct because isolating the device from the network immediately prevents the threat from spreading to other devices while you investigate further. Option A is wrong because collecting a memory dump does not contain the threat; it is for analysis. Option B is wrong because terminating the process alone does not prevent re-execution or lateral movement. Option D is wrong because adding a firewall rule is too slow and may not block all lateral movement; isolation is more comprehensive.
Variation 2. You are investigating a potential ransomware incident in Microsoft Defender XDR. The incident has a high severity alert indicating that a user installed a suspicious application. Which initial response action should you take to contain the threat while preserving evidence?
medium- ✓ A.Isolate the device using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
- B.Reset the user's password and enforce MFA.
- C.Uninstall the suspicious application via Intune.
- D.Disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Why A: Option A is correct because isolating the device using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint immediately stops lateral movement and data exfiltration while preserving forensic data. Option B is wrong because resetting the password and enforcing MFA does not contain the threat on the device itself. Option C is wrong because uninstalling the suspicious application may remove evidence needed for investigation. Option D is wrong because disabling the user account does not stop malware already running on the device.
Keep practising
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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