The answer is the DeviceProcessEvents table query. This is correct because DeviceProcessEvents specifically captures process creation events, including the parent-child relationship that reveals the initiating process—in this case, the parent process that spawned the ransomware.exe file. The query filters for the ransomware file name, then projects the device name along with the initiating process file name and command line, directly tracing the infection vector. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Microsoft Defender for Endpoint advanced hunting tables: DeviceProcessEvents for process ancestry, DeviceFileEvents for file modifications, DeviceNetworkEvents for connections, and DeviceEvents for miscellaneous security events. A common trap is choosing DeviceFileEvents because it tracks the ransomware file, but that table cannot show which process executed it. Remember the memory tip: “Process for parent, File for artifact”—when you need to identify the initial process that executed ransomware, always start with DeviceProcessEvents to trace the parent-child chain.
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?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Option B is correct because DeviceProcessEvents tracks process creation events and can trace parent-child relationships. Option A is wrong because DeviceFileEvents tracks file changes, not process creation. Option C is wrong because DeviceNetworkEvents tracks network connections, not processes. Option D is wrong because DeviceEvents includes various events but not as directly for process ancestry.
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.
Shows process creation and the parent process that launched it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
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
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
Network events show connections, not initial infection vector.
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 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.
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: DeviceProcessEvents | where FileName contains 'ransomware.exe' | project DeviceName, InitiatingProcessFileName, InitiatingProcessCommandLine, Timestamp — Option B is correct because DeviceProcessEvents tracks process creation events and can trace parent-child relationships. Option A is wrong because DeviceFileEvents tracks file changes, not process creation. Option C is wrong because DeviceNetworkEvents tracks network connections, not processes. Option D is wrong because DeviceEvents includes various events but not as directly for process ancestry.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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