Quick Answer
The answer is join and where. These two KQL operators are most useful for lateral movement detection in Microsoft Defender XDR because join allows you to correlate authentication events across different devices to spot anomalous remote logons, while where filters the resulting dataset to isolate specific conditions like unusual source IPs or privileged accounts. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to construct hunting queries that trace an attacker’s path from a compromised host to other systems, a core skill for the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst role. A common trap is choosing summarize, which aggregates data but loses the row-level detail needed for lateral movement hunting, or project, which only selects columns without filtering. Remember the memory tip: “Join the dots, where the threat stops” — join links machines, where narrows the suspicious activity.
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. 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.
Which TWO KQL operators are most useful for threat hunting lateral movement in Microsoft Defender XDR? (Select two.)
project
Why wrong: Selects columns, not correlation.
summarize
Why wrong: Used for aggregation, not correlation.
join
Correlates logon events across devices.
search
Why wrong: Not efficient for structured hunting.
where
Filters events for specific remote connections.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
join
Options B and C are correct. join correlates events across devices, and where filters by remote logons. Option A is for text search, D is for aggregation, E is for column selection.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
project
Why it's wrong here
Selects columns, not correlation.
summarize
Why it's wrong here
Used for aggregation, not correlation.
join
Why this is correct
Correlates logon events across devices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
search
Why it's wrong here
Not efficient for structured hunting.
where
Why this is correct
Filters events for specific remote connections.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Perform threat hunting — This question tests Perform threat hunting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: join — Options B and C are correct. join correlates events across devices, and where filters by remote logons. Option A is for text search, D is for aggregation, E is for column selection.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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 a threat hunter and you want to identify potential lateral movement in your environment. Which Microsoft Defender XDR hunting table would you query to find network connections from a compromised workstation to other internal devices?
easyWhy C: Option A is correct because DeviceNetworkEvents contains network connection events. Option B is for logon events. Option C is for process creation. Option D is for file creation events.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This SC-200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SC-200 exam.
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