The answer is Just-in-time (JIT) VM access. This Microsoft Defender for Cloud feature is correct because it locks down inbound traffic to Azure virtual machines by default, using network security group rules to block ports like RDP (3389) and SSH, and then dynamically opens those ports only when a user submits an explicit request that is approved through Azure AD and Azure Policy. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to protect VMs from brute force attacks by reducing the attack surface—a common trap is confusing JIT with Azure Bastion, but remember that Bastion provides persistent, always-on RDP/SSH access through a secure gateway, whereas JIT enforces time-bound, approval-based access. A helpful memory tip: think of JIT as a “bouncer” that keeps the door locked until you show your ID and get a temporary pass.
SC-200 Practice Question: Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of mitigate threats using microsoft defender for cloud. 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.
A company wants to protect Azure virtual machines from brute force attacks by allowing remote desktop protocol (RDP) access only when explicitly requested and approved. Which Microsoft Defender for Cloud feature should they enable?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Just-in-time VM access
Just-in-time (JIT) VM access in Microsoft Defender for Cloud locks down inbound traffic to Azure VMs by default, opening RDP (port 3389) only when a user requests access and is approved via Azure AD and Azure Policy. This directly addresses the requirement to allow RDP only on explicit request and approval, mitigating brute force attacks by reducing the attack surface.
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.
✗
Adaptive network hardening
Why it's wrong here
Adaptive network hardening recommends tightening NSG rules based on actual traffic, but it does not provide time-bound access requests.
✓
Just-in-time VM access
Why this is correct
JIT allows users to request temporary inbound access to VMs, reducing exposure to brute force and other attacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
File integrity monitoring
Why it's wrong here
File integrity monitoring tracks changes to critical files and registries, but does not control network access.
✗
Security recommendations
Why it's wrong here
Security recommendations provide guidance on hardening resources but do not enforce temporary access controls.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse Adaptive network hardening (which also involves NSG rules) with JIT VM access, but Adaptive network hardening only recommends permanent rule changes based on traffic patterns, not temporary, approval-based port openings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
JIT VM access works by creating temporary NSG rules that allow inbound traffic to a specified port (e.g., 3389) from the requester's IP address for a defined duration (default 3 hours). Under the hood, it integrates with Azure Policy to enforce JIT configuration across subscriptions, and uses Azure AD for authentication and approval workflows, ensuring only authorized users can open the port. A subtle behavior is that JIT access can also be configured for SSH (port 22) and other management ports, not just RDP.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — This question tests Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Just-in-time VM access — Just-in-time (JIT) VM access in Microsoft Defender for Cloud locks down inbound traffic to Azure VMs by default, opening RDP (port 3389) only when a user requests access and is approved via Azure AD and Azure Policy. This directly addresses the requirement to allow RDP only on explicit request and approval, mitigating brute force attacks by reducing the attack surface.
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.
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Question Discussion
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