SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
Which TWO actions should you take when responding to a confirmed ransomware incident in Microsoft Defender XDR?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse recovery actions (like restoring from backup) with immediate containment actions, leading them to select Option C instead of recognizing that isolation and scanning are the correct first steps in the incident response playbook.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Run a full antivirus scan
Running a full antivirus scan (Option A) is a critical containment and remediation step in a confirmed ransomware incident because it detects and removes malicious files, including ransomware binaries and associated artifacts, from affected devices. In Microsoft Defender XDR, a full scan leverages the Microsoft Defender Antivirus engine to inspect all files and running processes, ensuring that the ransomware payload is eliminated from the system. This action helps prevent further encryption or lateral movement by the malware.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Run a full antivirus scan
Why this is correct
Running a full antivirus scan is a critical eradication step that identifies and removes malware from the affected system, including worms, trojans, and ransomware. The scan should be performed after the device is isolated to prevent the infection from spreading while the scan is in progress. It also provides valuable indicators of compromise (IOCs) that can be used for further threat hunting and to ensure the system is clean before recovery.
- ✗
Reset the user's password
Why it's wrong here
Resetting the user's password is an account recovery and hygiene measure, not a containment step. In an active incident, changing credentials can alert the attacker and trigger destructive actions or escalated persistence, such as deploying backdoors or ransomware. Additionally, if the endpoint is compromised, the attacker may already have alternate logon methods, so a password reset alone does not disrupt their access.
- ✗
Restore files from backup
Why it's wrong here
Restoring files from backup is a recovery procedure that should occur only after the threat has been contained and eradicated. Early restoration risks reintroducing the infection if the backup is compromised or contains malicious files, and it does nothing to stop the active spread of the attack. The backup restore process also requires significant time and resources, making it inappropriate during the initial response.
- ✗
Disable the user account
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the user account can help contain a compromised account, but it is not required for a device-centric malware infection and may be counterproductive. It can alert the attacker, causing them to destroy evidence or expand their foothold, and it may not prevent lateral movement if the attacker has obtained other credentials or privileges. For confirming and containing a device compromise, isolating the device is far more effective than disabling the account.
- ✓
Isolate the affected devices
Why this is correct
Isolating the affected device is a primary containment measure that immediately blocks the malware's ability to communicate with command-and-control servers, exfiltrate data, or move laterally to other hosts. This can be achieved by disconnecting the network cable, disabling the wireless adapter, or using network access control (NAC) to quarantine the device. Containment is always the first priority in incident response to stabilize the environment before eradication or recovery.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.