- A
Microsoft 365 Defender alerts
Why wrong: Alerts are generated for detections, but not for detailed access logs.
- B
Microsoft Purview data access logs
Purview logs track access to sensitive data, including who accessed what.
- C
Microsoft Entra ID sign-in logs
Why wrong: Sign-in logs show authentication, not data access.
- D
Office 365 audit logs (unified audit log)
Why wrong: Unified audit log may not include Purview-specific data access events.
Question 1,437 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.
During an incident investigation, you discover that an attacker used a legitimate account to access sensitive data in Microsoft Purview Information Protection. You need to identify what data was accessed and by whom. Which log source should you query?
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
✓
Microsoft Purview data access logs
Microsoft Purview data access logs (option B) are the correct source because they specifically record when users access sensitive data labeled with Microsoft Purview Information Protection, including details about what data was accessed and by whom. Unlike other logs, these capture data-level access events such as viewing, downloading, or modifying protected documents, which is essential for investigating an attacker using a legitimate account to exfiltrate sensitive information.
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 365 Defender alerts
Why it's wrong here
Alerts are generated for detections, but not for detailed access logs.
- ✓
Microsoft Purview data access logs
Why this is correct
Purview logs track access to sensitive data, including who accessed what.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Microsoft Entra ID sign-in logs
Why it's wrong here
Sign-in logs show authentication, not data access.
- ✗
Office 365 audit logs (unified audit log)
Why it's wrong here
Unified audit log may not include Purview-specific data access events.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the unified audit log (option D) with Purview data access logs, not realizing that while the unified audit log captures many activities, Purview data access logs are the only source that specifically records label-based access events for sensitive data.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Sign-in logs show authentication, not data access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Microsoft Purview data access logs are generated by the Microsoft 365 data classification service and are stored in the Purview compliance portal under 'Data classification > Activity explorer'. They use the 'LabelAction' event type to record when a user applies, changes, or accesses a sensitivity label, including the specific file ID, user principal name, and timestamp. In a real-world scenario, if an attacker uses a compromised account to download a 'Confidential' document, the Purview data access log will show the exact file name, the user who accessed it, and the action taken, enabling precise forensic reconstruction.
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.
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: Microsoft Purview data access logs — Microsoft Purview data access logs (option B) are the correct source because they specifically record when users access sensitive data labeled with Microsoft Purview Information Protection, including details about what data was accessed and by whom. Unlike other logs, these capture data-level access events such as viewing, downloading, or modifying protected documents, which is essential for investigating an attacker using a legitimate account to exfiltrate sensitive information.
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
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