- A
Assign the built-in PCI DSS regulatory compliance standard and add a custom policy through Azure Policy
Why wrong: The built-in standard is read-only; you cannot add custom policies to it. You must create a custom initiative.
- B
Create a custom initiative that includes the PCI DSS built-in policy set and the custom key vault policy, then assign it to the scope
Custom initiatives allow combining multiple policy definitions, including from regulatory compliance standards, into a single assignable set that appears in the regulatory compliance dashboard.
- C
Use Azure Blueprints to deploy the PCI DSS standard and custom policies
Why wrong: Azure Blueprints can deploy resources but do not feed into the Defender for Cloud regulatory compliance dashboard natively.
- D
Enable the Secure Score dashboard to measure compliance
Why wrong: Secure Score measures security posture, not specific regulatory compliance standards like PCI DSS.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a custom initiative that includes the PCI DSS built-in policy set and the custom key vault policy, then assign it to the scope. This works because Microsoft Defender for Cloud’s regulatory compliance dashboard aggregates compliance scores at the initiative level, not across separate assignments; a unified compliance score requires all relevant standards and custom policies to be grouped into a single initiative. On the SC-200 exam, this tests your understanding of how custom initiatives bridge built-in regulatory frameworks with organizational policies, often appearing as a scenario where a security administrator needs a single view for both PCI DSS and a custom encryption key requirement. A common trap is trying to assign the custom policy separately and expecting the dashboard to merge scores automatically, which it cannot. Memory tip: “One initiative to rule them all” — if you want one score, put everything in one initiative.
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.
An organization needs to meet PCI DSS compliance requirements and also enforce a custom policy requiring that encryption keys be stored in a specific Azure Key Vault. The security administrator wants to view a unified compliance score that includes both the built-in PCI DSS standard and the custom policy. What should the administrator do in Microsoft Defender for Cloud?
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
Create a custom initiative that includes the PCI DSS built-in policy set and the custom key vault policy, then assign it to the scope
Option B is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud's regulatory compliance dashboard can only display a unified compliance score when all relevant standards and custom policies are grouped into a single initiative. By creating a custom initiative that includes both the built-in PCI DSS policy set and the custom Key Vault policy, then assigning that initiative to the scope, the administrator ensures the compliance score reflects both requirements in one view.
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.
- ✗
Assign the built-in PCI DSS regulatory compliance standard and add a custom policy through Azure Policy
Why it's wrong here
The built-in standard is read-only; you cannot add custom policies to it. You must create a custom initiative.
- ✓
Create a custom initiative that includes the PCI DSS built-in policy set and the custom key vault policy, then assign it to the scope
Why this is correct
Custom initiatives allow combining multiple policy definitions, including from regulatory compliance standards, into a single assignable set that appears in the regulatory compliance dashboard.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use Azure Blueprints to deploy the PCI DSS standard and custom policies
Why it's wrong here
Azure Blueprints can deploy resources but do not feed into the Defender for Cloud regulatory compliance dashboard natively.
- ✗
Enable the Secure Score dashboard to measure compliance
Why it's wrong here
Secure Score measures security posture, not specific regulatory compliance standards like PCI DSS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume simply assigning the built-in standard and adding a custom policy separately will merge their scores, but Defender for Cloud requires all policies to be part of the same initiative for a unified compliance score.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Defender for Cloud's regulatory compliance dashboard evaluates assignments of Azure Policy initiatives (policy sets) that contain individual policy definitions. A custom initiative can include both built-in policy definitions (like those from the PCI DSS initiative) and custom policy definitions (like the key vault encryption key storage requirement). When this combined initiative is assigned to a scope, Defender for Cloud automatically calculates a single compliance percentage based on all included policies, providing the unified score the administrator needs. This approach also supports automatic remediation tasks and continuous compliance assessment.
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 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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-200 question test?
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: Create a custom initiative that includes the PCI DSS built-in policy set and the custom key vault policy, then assign it to the scope — Option B is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud's regulatory compliance dashboard can only display a unified compliance score when all relevant standards and custom policies are grouped into a single initiative. By creating a custom initiative that includes both the built-in PCI DSS policy set and the custom Key Vault policy, then assigning that initiative to the scope, the administrator ensures the compliance score reflects both requirements in one view.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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