- A
Remove the device from the Active Directory domain.
Why wrong: Removing from domain does not isolate the device from the network.
- B
Disable the network adapter on the device.
Why wrong: Disabling the adapter may prevent remote management and forensic collection.
- C
Initiate the 'Isolate device' action from the Microsoft Defender XDR portal.
Isolation disconnects the device while maintaining management channel for forensic data.
- D
Perform a full reimage of the device.
Why wrong: Reimaging destroys forensic evidence and is not containment.
Question 402 of 1,639
Device Isolation in Microsoft Defender XDR — Contain Threats While Preserving Forensic Data
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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. An endpoint is detected as infected with a trojan. The analyst needs to isolate the device from the network while preserving forensic data. What action should the analyst take?
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
✓
Initiate the 'Isolate device' action from the Microsoft Defender XDR portal.
Option C is correct because the 'Isolate device' action in Microsoft Defender XDR (formerly Microsoft 365 Defender) disconnects the device from all network traffic except the Defender for Endpoint service, preserving forensic data on the device while preventing the trojan from communicating with command-and-control servers. This action uses a built-in network isolation mechanism that blocks inbound and outbound connections at the OS level, ensuring the device remains accessible for investigation and remediation.
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.
- ✗
Remove the device from the Active Directory domain.
Why it's wrong here
Removing from domain does not isolate the device from the network.
- ✗
Disable the network adapter on the device.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the adapter may prevent remote management and forensic collection.
- ✓
Initiate the 'Isolate device' action from the Microsoft Defender XDR portal.
Why this is correct
Isolation disconnects the device while maintaining management channel for forensic data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Perform a full reimage of the device.
Why it's wrong here
Reimaging destroys forensic evidence and is not containment.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse physical network disconnection (Option B) with the controlled, reversible isolation provided by Defender for Endpoint, failing to recognize that forensic preservation and remote management are key requirements in incident response.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'Isolate device' action leverages the Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) to apply a firewall policy that blocks all network traffic except traffic to the Defender for Endpoint cloud service (using specific IP ranges and ports like 443 for HTTPS). This isolation can be initiated from the Microsoft Defender XDR portal and is reversible, allowing the device to be restored to normal connectivity after investigation. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for containing ransomware or trojans that attempt to exfiltrate data or receive commands, as it maintains the device's forensic state for analysis while stopping lateral movement.
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
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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: Initiate the 'Isolate device' action from the Microsoft Defender XDR portal. — Option C is correct because the 'Isolate device' action in Microsoft Defender XDR (formerly Microsoft 365 Defender) disconnects the device from all network traffic except the Defender for Endpoint service, preserving forensic data on the device while preventing the trojan from communicating with command-and-control servers. This action uses a built-in network isolation mechanism that blocks inbound and outbound connections at the OS level, ensuring the device remains accessible for investigation and remediation.
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
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Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on SC-200
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are investigating a potential ransomware incident detected by Microsoft Defender XDR. The incident shows multiple machines with suspicious encryption activity. You need to contain the threat immediately. What should you do first?
medium- A.Reset the passwords of all users on the affected machines
- B.Run a full antivirus scan on all endpoints
- ✓ C.Initiate device isolation on affected machines from Microsoft Defender XDR
- D.Disable the user accounts associated with the affected machines
Why C: In a ransomware incident, immediate containment is critical. Device isolation from Microsoft Defender XDR disconnects the affected machines from the network, preventing the ransomware from spreading to other systems and stopping further encryption. This is the most effective first step. Running a full antivirus scan (B) is reactive and may not halt active encryption. Resetting passwords (A) or disabling user accounts (D) does not stop malware already executing on the endpoints. Therefore, initiating device isolation (C) is the correct initial action.
Variation 2. An incident in Microsoft Defender XDR involves a device that is suspected to be infected with ransomware. The device is online and actively encrypting files. Which action should you take to contain the threat?
medium- ✓ A.Isolate the device from the network
- B.Disable the user's account
- C.Run a full antivirus scan on the device
- D.Collect a memory dump from the device
Why A: Isolating the device from the network (Option A) is the correct immediate action because it stops the ransomware from communicating with its command-and-control (C2) server and prevents further lateral movement or encryption of network shares. In Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, device isolation blocks all inbound and outbound traffic at the OS kernel level, while still allowing the device to remain online for forensic analysis and remediation. This containment strategy is critical when the device is actively encrypting files, as it halts the attack's spread without losing the ability to investigate or remediate.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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