Quick Answer
The answer is Azure Activity Log, Syslog, and AWS CloudTrail. These are valid log ingestion methods into Microsoft Sentinel because they each have dedicated, out-of-the-box data connectors that streamline the collection process without requiring custom scripting or additional agents for basic setup. On the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of which native connectors exist versus which require intermediate configuration—a common trap is assuming Windows Event Logs are ingested directly, when in fact they must go through the Windows Security Events connector. Remember the memory tip: “Direct connectors for cloud and device logs, but Windows events need a middleman.”
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 of the following are valid ways to ingest logs into Microsoft Sentinel?
Syslog
Syslog is a standard data connector for Linux machines.
Windows Event Logs
Why wrong: Windows Event Logs require the Windows Security Events connector, not direct ingestion.
AWS CloudTrail
AWS CloudTrail is a connector for AWS logs.
Azure Activity Log
Azure Activity Log is a built-in connector.
Custom logs via direct API
Why wrong: Custom logs require a custom connector or Log Analytics agent, not direct ingestion.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Syslog
Syslog, Azure Activity Log, and AWS CloudTrail are valid data connectors. Windows Event Logs are ingested via the Windows Security Events connector, not directly. Custom logs can be ingested via API or Log Analytics agent, but not directly via a custom connector without configuration.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Syslog
Why this is correct
Syslog is a standard data connector for Linux machines.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Windows Event Logs
Why it's wrong here
Windows Event Logs require the Windows Security Events connector, not direct ingestion.
AWS CloudTrail
Why this is correct
AWS CloudTrail is a connector for AWS logs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Activity Log
Why this is correct
Azure Activity Log is a built-in connector.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Custom logs via direct API
Why it's wrong here
Custom logs require a custom connector or Log Analytics agent, not direct ingestion.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Manage a security operations environment — This question tests Manage a security operations environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Syslog — Syslog, Azure Activity Log, and AWS CloudTrail are valid data connectors. Windows Event Logs are ingested via the Windows Security Events connector, not directly. Custom logs can be ingested via API or Log Analytics agent, but not directly via a custom connector without configuration.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This SC-200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SC-200 exam.
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