The correct modification is to add a filter excluding the service account: `and UserPrincipalName !="svc-account@domain.com"`. This directly reduces false positives by removing the noisy, legitimate failures from the query results while preserving detection of actual brute-force attacks against user accounts. In the SC-200 exam, this tests your ability to tune KQL detection rules without breaking core logic—a common trap is overcorrecting by raising thresholds or changing error codes, which would miss real threats or alter the rule’s intent. Remember, the goal is precision: exclude the known benign source, not weaken the detection criteria. A useful memory tip is “Exclude the noise, not the signal”—always filter out specific accounts or IPs before adjusting thresholds.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
```kusto
let TimeFrame = 1h;
let Threshold = 5;
SigninLogs
| where TimeGenerated > ago(TimeFrame)
| where Status.errorCode == 50057
| summarize FailedAttempts = count() by UserPrincipalName, IPAddress
| where FailedAttempts > Threshold
```
Refer to the exhibit. You are analyzing a KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel that generates an incident for users with more than 5 failed sign-in attempts (error code 50057 indicates user account is disabled) from a single IP in the last hour. After enabling the rule, you receive too many incidents from a service account that legitimately fails frequently. How should you modify the query to reduce false positives?
Refer to the exhibit.
```kusto
let TimeFrame = 1h;
let Threshold = 5;
SigninLogs
| where TimeGenerated > ago(TimeFrame)
| where Status.errorCode == 50057
| summarize FailedAttempts = count() by UserPrincipalName, IPAddress
| where FailedAttempts > Threshold
```
A
Change the error code to 50126
Why wrong: 50126 is an invalid username/password; this changes the alert logic.
B
Add a filter to exclude the service account: and UserPrincipalName !="svc-account@domain.com"
Excluding the known noisy account eliminates false positives while preserving detection for others.
C
Remove the IPAddress from the summarize clause and group only by UserPrincipalName
Why wrong: Grouping only by user still includes the service account.
D
Increase the Threshold to 10
Why wrong: Increasing threshold reduces sensitivity but does not target the specific false positive source.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a filter to exclude the service account: and UserPrincipalName !="svc-account@domain.com"
Option C is correct because excluding the service account from the query prevents incidents from that account. Option A is wrong because increasing the threshold may miss real attacks. Option B is wrong because error code 50057 specifically indicates disabled accounts; changing it would alter detection logic. Option D is wrong because grouping by user alone does not exclude the service account.
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.
✗
Change the error code to 50126
Why it's wrong here
50126 is an invalid username/password; this changes the alert logic.
✓
Add a filter to exclude the service account: and UserPrincipalName !="svc-account@domain.com"
Why this is correct
Excluding the known noisy account eliminates false positives while preserving detection for others.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Remove the IPAddress from the summarize clause and group only by UserPrincipalName
Why it's wrong here
Grouping only by user still includes the service account.
✗
Increase the Threshold to 10
Why it's wrong here
Increasing threshold reduces sensitivity but does not target the specific false positive source.
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.
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a filter to exclude the service account: and UserPrincipalName !="svc-account@domain.com" — Option C is correct because excluding the service account from the query prevents incidents from that account. Option A is wrong because increasing the threshold may miss real attacks. Option B is wrong because error code 50057 specifically indicates disabled accounts; changing it would alter detection logic. Option D is wrong because grouping by user alone does not exclude the service account.
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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