The answer is change incident status, assign incidents, and run playbooks. These three are the only built-in actions directly available within Microsoft Sentinel automation rules, as the rule engine itself can modify incident properties like status or owner and trigger a playbook for more complex responses. On the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of the automation rule’s native capabilities versus actions that must be delegated to a playbook, such as disabling a user account or adding tags. A common trap is confusing the rule’s direct actions with what a playbook can do—remember that automation rules handle simple, immediate incident management, while playbooks handle any external or multi-step logic. To recall the three valid actions, think of the mnemonic “CAR”: Change status, Assign owner, Run playbook.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. 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 THREE are valid response actions when using Microsoft Sentinel automation rules?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Assign the incident to a specific analyst
The correct answers are A, B, and D. Automation rules can assign incidents, run playbooks, and change incident status. Disabling a user account is not a direct action; it must be done via a playbook. Tagging incidents is not a built-in action; it can be done via playbook or manual editing.
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.
✓
Assign the incident to a specific analyst
Why this is correct
Automation rules can set the owner of an incident.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Tag the incident with custom labels
Why it's wrong here
Tagging is not a built-in action; it requires a playbook or manual update.
✓
Run a playbook
Why this is correct
Automation rules can trigger playbooks for complex responses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Change the incident status to 'Active' or 'Closed'
Why this is correct
Automation rules can modify incident status.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable a compromised user account
Why it's wrong here
This action is not directly available; it must be performed by a playbook.
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: Assign the incident to a specific analyst — The correct answers are A, B, and D. Automation rules can assign incidents, run playbooks, and change incident status. Disabling a user account is not a direct action; it must be done via a playbook. Tagging incidents is not a built-in action; it can be done via playbook or manual editing.
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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