The answer is to run a custom KQL hunting query to find similar script executions on other machines. This is correct because lateral movement hunting requires proactive, broad-spectrum searches across time and entities, and KQL queries in Microsoft Sentinel allow you to correlate PowerShell execution events across multiple servers to identify patterns of compromise. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the difference between reactive incident response and proactive threat hunting—a common trap is choosing live response for containment or restarting machines, which destroys volatile evidence. Remember that hunting queries are designed to investigate lateral movement by revealing hidden connections, while other options either halt the investigation or focus on a single machine. Memory tip: “Hunt before you halt”—always query across the environment before taking containment actions.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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 investigating an incident in Microsoft Sentinel where a PowerShell script was executed on multiple servers with suspicious parameters. The incident is high severity. You need to determine if the script is malicious and if lateral movement occurred. What should you do?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run a custom KQL hunting query to find similar script executions on other machines
Option D is correct because hunting queries can search for related activities across time and entities, revealing lateral movement. Option A is wrong because restarting machines destroys evidence. Option B is wrong because the incident timeline shows events in one workspace but may not show lateral movement across resources. Option C is wrong because live response is for immediate containment, not 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.
✗
Use Microsoft Defender for Endpoint live response to collect forensic data
Why it's wrong here
Live response is for collection, not for determining lateral movement.
✗
Restart the affected servers to stop the script
Why it's wrong here
Restarting destroys volatile evidence.
✗
Review the incident timeline in Microsoft Sentinel
Why it's wrong here
Timeline shows only what is ingested, not proactive hunting.
✓
Run a custom KQL hunting query to find similar script executions on other machines
Why this is correct
Hunting queries can identify lateral movement patterns.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Timeline shows only what is ingested, not proactive hunting.
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: Run a custom KQL hunting query to find similar script executions on other machines — Option D is correct because hunting queries can search for related activities across time and entities, revealing lateral movement. Option A is wrong because restarting machines destroys evidence. Option B is wrong because the incident timeline shows events in one workspace but may not show lateral movement across resources. Option C is wrong because live response is for immediate containment, not investigation.
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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