The correct answer is to find users with more than 5 failed sign-ins from an IP address in the last hour. This KQL query works by filtering for `ResultType == 'Failure'` to isolate failed sign-in events, then using `summarize count() by Account, IPAddress` to group failures by user and source IP, and finally applying `where count_ > 5` to surface only those accounts that exceeded the threshold from a single IP—a classic signature of a brute force attack. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret KQL logic for detecting anomalous authentication patterns, often appearing as a multiple-choice question where distractors might suggest successful sign-ins or cross-IP aggregation. A common trap is confusing `count_ > 5` with a count of distinct IPs rather than total failures from one IP. Memory tip: think “Failures + Group + Threshold” as the three-step brute force detection pattern in KQL.
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```kql
SigninLogs
| where TimeGenerated > ago(1h)
| where ResultType !in ("0", "50125") // exclude success and password change
| summarize FailedAttempts = count() by UserPrincipalName, IPAddress
| where FailedAttempts > 5
```
Refer to the exhibit. A SOC analyst runs this KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel. What is the purpose of this query?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Find users with more than 5 failed sign-ins from an IP address in the last hour
The KQL query filters for events where the result type is 'Failure' (failed sign-ins), then groups by account and IP address, counting occurrences. The `where count_ > 5` clause ensures only accounts with more than 5 failed sign-ins from a single IP are returned, which is a classic indicator of a brute force attack. This directly matches option D.
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.
✗
Detect brute force attempts by finding users with many failed sign-ins from a single IP
Why it's wrong here
The query groups by user and IP but does not require a single IP.
✗
List all successful sign-ins in the last hour
Why it's wrong here
The query excludes successful sign-ins.
✗
Identify users who successfully signed in from multiple IPs
Why it's wrong here
The query filters for non-success results.
✓
Find users with more than 5 failed sign-ins from an IP address in the last hour
Why this is correct
The query counts failed sign-ins per user and IP, and filters for >5.
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 may confuse 'failed sign-ins from a single IP' (option D) with 'many failed sign-ins' (option A), missing the explicit threshold of >5 in the query.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The query uses `SigninLogs` (Azure AD sign-in logs) with a `where ResultType == 'Failure'` filter, then summarizes by `UserPrincipalName` and `IPAddress` using `dcount()` or `count()` (implied). The threshold of 5 is arbitrary but common in brute force detection; in real-world scenarios, analysts might adjust this based on baseline behavior. The query does not account for distributed brute force attacks across multiple IPs, which would require additional logic like `make_set(IPAddress)`.
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.
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: Find users with more than 5 failed sign-ins from an IP address in the last hour — The KQL query filters for events where the result type is 'Failure' (failed sign-ins), then groups by account and IP address, counting occurrences. The `where count_ > 5` clause ensures only accounts with more than 5 failed sign-ins from a single IP are returned, which is a classic indicator of a brute force attack. This directly matches option D.
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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