- A
Collect investigation packages from the affected devices for analysis.
Investigation packages provide forensic data to understand the scope and impact.
- B
Add the malware hash to the custom threat indicator list.
Why wrong: Adding the hash helps prevent future infections but does not contain the current outbreak.
- C
Run a full antivirus scan on all workstations.
Why wrong: While useful, a full scan is not an immediate containment step; it is more of a remediation step after isolation.
- D
Reset passwords of all users who logged into the affected devices.
Why wrong: Password reset is important but is a later step after containment and investigation.
- E
Isolate the affected devices from the network using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Isolation prevents the malware from spreading and communicating with C2 servers.
Quick Answer
The correct actions are to isolate the affected devices from the network and collect investigation packages using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. When a malware outbreak is confirmed on multiple workstations, immediate containment is critical to prevent lateral spread, and isolation cuts off network communication while preserving the device for forensic analysis. Collecting an investigation package gathers a detailed snapshot of the system state, including running processes, registry keys, and network connections, which is essential for root-cause analysis. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize containment and evidence collection over remediation steps like running a full scan, which is too slow for an active outbreak, or resetting passwords, which is a later post-incident task. A common trap is confusing proactive blocking of indicators with the immediate need to isolate already infected machines. Remember the memory tip: “Isolate first, collect second—contain before you clean.”
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
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.
Which TWO actions are appropriate when responding to a confirmed malware outbreak on multiple workstations identified by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint?
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
Collect investigation packages from the affected devices for analysis.
Collecting investigation packages and isolating affected devices are appropriate response actions. Running a full scan is reactive and not immediate. Resetting passwords may be needed later but not first. Blocking indicators is proactive but doesn't contain already infected devices.
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.
- ✓
Collect investigation packages from the affected devices for analysis.
Why this is correct
Investigation packages provide forensic data to understand the scope and impact.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Add the malware hash to the custom threat indicator list.
Why it's wrong here
Adding the hash helps prevent future infections but does not contain the current outbreak.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on all workstations.
Why it's wrong here
While useful, a full scan is not an immediate containment step; it is more of a remediation step after isolation.
- ✗
Reset passwords of all users who logged into the affected devices.
Why it's wrong here
Password reset is important but is a later step after containment and investigation.
- ✓
Isolate the affected devices from the network using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Why this is correct
Isolation prevents the malware from spreading and communicating with C2 servers.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Respond to security incidents practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SC-200 questions
1,639 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SC-200 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SC-200 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Manage a security operations environment practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Manage a security operations environment.
Respond to security incidents practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Respond to security incidents.
Perform threat hunting practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Perform threat hunting.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender XDR.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel.
SC-200 fundamentals practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 fundamentals.
SC-200 scenario practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 scenario.
SC-200 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SC-200 questions linked to SC-200 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SC-200 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: Collect investigation packages from the affected devices for analysis. — Collecting investigation packages and isolating affected devices are appropriate response actions. Running a full scan is reactive and not immediate. Resetting passwords may be needed later but not first. Blocking indicators is proactive but doesn't contain already infected devices.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More SC-200 practice questions
- An organization uses Microsoft 365 Defender. During an incident, the analyst wants to automatically isolate a compromise…
- A security analyst is preparing to use a Jupyter notebook for threat hunting in Microsoft Sentinel. Which of the followi…
- An organization has enabled enhanced security features for a hybrid infrastructure including SQL servers on-premises and…
- A phishing email was delivered to several users. The analyst wants to find all messages in the campaign, see delivery ac…
- A company uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud and wants to automatically ensure that all Azure virtual machines have a spe…
- A company uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud and wants to automatically remediate non-compliant Azure resources by deploy…
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.