The answer is to review the user's activity log, use the app dashboard to see unusual behavior, and check the file policy matches. These three actions are appropriate because investigating data exfiltration in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps requires understanding the scope, context, and specific flagged files before taking any containment steps. The activity log reveals the full timeline and volume of downloads or shares, the app dashboard highlights anomalous patterns like impossible travel or mass downloads, and file policy matches show which sensitive files triggered alerts. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish investigation from remediation—a common trap is selecting "suspend the user," which is a containment action, not an investigative one. Remember the investigation triad: Log, Dashboard, Policy. For a quick memory tip, think "LDP" for Log, Dashboard, and Policy—these three tools let you see the what, the where, and the which before you act.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 actions are appropriate when investigating a potential data exfiltration incident in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the app dashboard to view unusual behavior alerts
Options A, B, and D are correct. Option A: Reviewing the activity log helps identify the scope of exfiltration. Option B: Using the app dashboard to see unusual behavior provides context. Option D: Checking the file policy matches shows which files were flagged. Option C is wrong because suspending the user is a containment action, not investigation. Option E is wrong because checking device inventory does not apply to cloud apps.
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.
✗
Check the device inventory for suspicious applications
Why it's wrong here
Device inventory is for endpoints, not cloud apps.
✓
Use the app dashboard to view unusual behavior alerts
Why this is correct
Dashboard highlights anomalies.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Suspend the user's account immediately
Why it's wrong here
Suspending is a containment action, not an investigation step.
✓
Check the file policy matches for the user
Why this is correct
File policies can reveal sensitive data sharing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Review the user's activity log in Defender for Cloud Apps
Why this is correct
Activity log shows detailed user actions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Use the app dashboard to view unusual behavior alerts — Options A, B, and D are correct. Option A: Reviewing the activity log helps identify the scope of exfiltration. Option B: Using the app dashboard to see unusual behavior provides context. Option D: Checking the file policy matches shows which files were flagged. Option C is wrong because suspending the user is a containment action, not investigation. Option E is wrong because checking device inventory does not apply to cloud apps.
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.
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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