The answer is creating an automation rule to close incidents that match certain criteria and tuning the analytics rule’s query logic to add exclusions. Automation rules allow you to define conditions—such as specific IP addresses, user accounts, or alert titles—that automatically close incidents without disabling the underlying rule, effectively filtering out noise. Tuning the KQL query itself, for example by excluding known benign processes or adding time-based filters, directly reduces false positives at the detection source. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of operational efficiency in Microsoft Sentinel, often appearing as a multiple-select item where distractors like increasing run frequency or changing severity are common traps—these actions affect timing or priority, not accuracy. Remember the memory tip: “Automate to close, tune to exclude” keeps you focused on the two valid methods for reducing false positives without turning off detection.
SC-200 Manage a security operations environment Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. 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 valid ways to reduce the number of false positive incidents in Microsoft Sentinel without disabling analytics rules?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Modify the rule's query to include additional filters.
Options B and D are correct. Option B: Automation rules can close incidents based on conditions. Option D: Tuning the rule's query logic (e.g., adding exclusions) reduces false positives. Option A is wrong because increasing run frequency does not reduce false positives. Option C is wrong because grouping alerts per-entity does not filter false positives. Option E is wrong because changing severity does not reduce incidents.
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.
✗
Configure the rule to group all alerts into a single incident per entity.
Why it's wrong here
Grouping does not filter false positives.
✗
Increase the rule run frequency.
Why it's wrong here
This would generate more incidents, not reduce false positives.
✗
Change the incident severity to Informational.
Why it's wrong here
This does not reduce the number of incidents.
✓
Modify the rule's query to include additional filters.
Why this is correct
Adding filters can exclude benign activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Create an automation rule to close incidents that match certain criteria.
Why this is correct
Automation rules can automatically close false positive incidents.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-200 question in full detail.
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.
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: Modify the rule's query to include additional filters. — Options B and D are correct. Option B: Automation rules can close incidents based on conditions. Option D: Tuning the rule's query logic (e.g., adding exclusions) reduces false positives. Option A is wrong because increasing run frequency does not reduce false positives. Option C is wrong because grouping alerts per-entity does not filter false positives. Option E is wrong because changing severity does not reduce incidents.
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.
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Question Discussion
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