- A
DeviceNetworkEvents | where RemoteUrl contains 'malicious' | project DeviceName, RemoteIP, Timestamp
Why wrong: Network events show connections, not initial infection vector.
- B
DeviceFileEvents | where FileName contains 'ransomware.exe' | project DeviceName, ActionType, Timestamp
Why wrong: DeviceFileEvents shows file events, not process creation or parent process.
- C
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName contains 'ransomware.exe' | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, InitiatingProcessCommandLine, Timestamp
Shows process creation and the parent process that launched it.
- D
DeviceEvents | where ActionType == 'RansomwareDetection' | project DeviceName, Timestamp
Why wrong: DeviceEvents may show detection but not the initiating process.
Question 1,466 of 1,639
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.
A security team is investigating a ransomware incident that encrypted files on several Windows servers. Microsoft Defender for Endpoint detected the ransomware but the initial infection vector is unknown. Which KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel would BEST identify the initial process that executed the ransomware?
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
✓
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName contains 'ransomware.exe' | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, InitiatingProcessCommandLine, Timestamp
Option C is correct because DeviceProcessEvents captures process creation events, and by filtering for the ransomware executable and projecting the InitiatingProcessFileName and InitiatingProcessCommandLine, you can trace back to the parent process that launched the ransomware. This directly identifies the initial infection vector, which is the core goal of the investigation.
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.
- ✗
DeviceNetworkEvents | where RemoteUrl contains 'malicious' | project DeviceName, RemoteIP, Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
Network events show connections, not initial infection vector.
- ✗
DeviceFileEvents | where FileName contains 'ransomware.exe' | project DeviceName, ActionType, Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
DeviceFileEvents shows file events, not process creation or parent process.
- ✓
DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName contains 'ransomware.exe' | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, InitiatingProcessCommandLine, Timestamp
Why this is correct
Shows process creation and the parent process that launched it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DeviceEvents | where ActionType == 'RansomwareDetection' | project DeviceName, Timestamp
Why it's wrong here
DeviceEvents may show detection but not the initiating process.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose Option D (DeviceEvents with RansomwareDetection) because it directly shows the detection event, but it lacks the parent process information needed to identify the initial infection vector, which is the specific requirement of the question.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Network events show connections, not initial infection vector.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, DeviceProcessEvents in Microsoft Sentinel ingests process creation telemetry from the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint sensor, including the InitiatingProcessFileName and InitiatingProcessCommandLine fields that capture the parent process. In a real-world scenario, the ransomware might be launched by a script (e.g., PowerShell) or a scheduled task, and projecting these fields allows you to identify the exact command line or script that initiated the attack, even if the ransomware binary is renamed or obfuscated.
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.
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: DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName contains 'ransomware.exe' | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, InitiatingProcessCommandLine, Timestamp — Option C is correct because DeviceProcessEvents captures process creation events, and by filtering for the ransomware executable and projecting the InitiatingProcessFileName and InitiatingProcessCommandLine, you can trace back to the parent process that launched the ransomware. This directly identifies the initial infection vector, which is the core goal of the investigation.
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.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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