The answer is to use the Microsoft Sentinel Data Collector API to send custom logs or to forward logs in Common Event Format (CEF) over syslog to a server running the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA). CEF is a standardized log format that many on-premises firewall appliances support, and the AMA ingests these logs directly into Sentinel, replacing the older Log Analytics Agent for this integration. On the SC-200 exam, this concept tests your understanding of legacy versus modern data connectors, with a common trap being the mistaken belief that the Log Analytics Agent is still the preferred method for CEF ingestion. Remember that the AMA is the current standard for syslog-based integrations, while the Data Collector API handles non-standard or custom log formats. A useful memory tip is “AMA for CEF, API for custom”—this pairing covers the two valid paths for on-premises firewall log integration into Microsoft Sentinel for analysis.
SC-200 Manage a security operations environment Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. 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.
Which TWO actions are valid ways to integrate on-premises firewall logs into Microsoft Sentinel for analysis?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the firewall to send Common Event Format (CEF) logs to a syslog server running Azure Monitor Agent.
Option B is correct because on-premises firewall logs can be forwarded in Common Event Format (CEF) over syslog to a server running the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA), which then ingests them into Microsoft Sentinel. CEF is a standard log format supported by many security appliances, and the AMA replaces the older Log Analytics Agent for this purpose. This setup allows Sentinel to parse and analyze the firewall events for security monitoring.
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.
✗
Enable the Office 365 connector.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This is for Office 365 logs.
✓
Configure the firewall to send Common Event Format (CEF) logs to a syslog server running Azure Monitor Agent.
Why this is correct
Correct. CEF via AMA is a standard integration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Install the Windows DNS Server connector.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This is for DNS logs, not firewall logs.
✗
Connect the Azure Activity log connector.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This is for Azure resource operations.
✓
Use the Microsoft Sentinel Data Collector API to send custom logs.
Why this is correct
Correct. The API can ingest custom log formats.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Azure Activity log connector (which only covers Azure resource operations) with a general-purpose log ingestion method, or they mistakenly think the Office 365 connector can handle any external log source.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CEF is a syslog-based format defined by ArcSight (RFC 5424 extended) that includes a standardized header with fields like device vendor, product, and event severity. The Azure Monitor Agent uses Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to parse CEF logs and map them to the CommonSecurityLog table in Sentinel. In a real-world scenario, you must ensure the syslog server (e.g., rsyslog or syslog-ng) is configured to listen on TCP port 514 or 6514 and forward to AMA via the appropriate DCR.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
Manage a security operations environment — This question tests Manage a security operations environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the firewall to send Common Event Format (CEF) logs to a syslog server running Azure Monitor Agent. — Option B is correct because on-premises firewall logs can be forwarded in Common Event Format (CEF) over syslog to a server running the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA), which then ingests them into Microsoft Sentinel. CEF is a standard log format supported by many security appliances, and the AMA replaces the older Log Analytics Agent for this purpose. This setup allows Sentinel to parse and analyze the firewall events for security monitoring.
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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