The correct data source is Windows Security Events via Windows Event Forwarding. This is because domain controllers generate Event ID 4625 for every failed logon attempt, which is the core telemetry needed to hunt for brute-force patterns across on-premises servers. Windows Event Forwarding (WEF) allows you to centrally collect these detailed authentication events from multiple domain controllers into a single Log Analytics workspace for Sentinel analysis. On the SC-200 exam, this tests your understanding of which data connectors map to specific hunting scenarios—a common trap is confusing Azure Activity Log (cloud management plane) or Microsoft 365 Defender (cloud identity) with on-premises authentication logs. Remember that Syslog is for network devices, not Windows security logs. Memory tip: think "4625 for 425" — Event ID 4625 is your key for failed logon hunting, and WEF is the pipeline to stream it into Sentinel.
SC-200 Perform threat hunting Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of perform threat hunting. 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.
You are investigating a series of failed logon attempts across multiple on-premises servers. You want to use Microsoft Sentinel to hunt for patterns of brute-force attacks. Which data source should you ingest to capture detailed authentication events from domain controllers?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Windows Security Events via Windows Event Forwarding
Option C is correct because Windows Security Events from domain controllers include Event ID 4625 (failed logon) necessary for brute-force hunting. Option A is wrong because Azure Activity Log does not include on-premises authentication. Option B is wrong because Microsoft 365 Defender events focus on cloud identities. Option D is wrong because Syslog typically contains network device logs, not Windows authentication.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Syslog from domain controllers
Why it's wrong here
Syslog is typically used for network devices; domain controllers generate Windows Event Logs, not Syslog by default.
✓
Windows Security Events via Windows Event Forwarding
Why this is correct
Windows Security Events from domain controllers provide Event IDs like 4625 for failed logons, essential for brute-force hunting.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Azure Activity Log
Why it's wrong here
Azure Activity Log records Azure resource operations, not on-premises authentication events.
✗
Microsoft 365 Defender events
Why it's wrong here
Microsoft 365 Defender covers cloud identity and endpoint signals, but not on-premises domain controller logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-200 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Perform threat hunting — This question tests Perform threat hunting — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Windows Security Events via Windows Event Forwarding — Option C is correct because Windows Security Events from domain controllers include Event ID 4625 (failed logon) necessary for brute-force hunting. Option A is wrong because Azure Activity Log does not include on-premises authentication. Option B is wrong because Microsoft 365 Defender events focus on cloud identities. Option D is wrong because Syslog typically contains network device logs, not Windows authentication.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-200 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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