SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
Which TWO are recommended first steps when responding to a confirmed ransomware incident in Microsoft Defender XDR?
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
✓
Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
The correct answers are D and E. Isolating affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (D) and revoking user sessions to require reauthentication (E) are immediate containment steps to prevent further spread. Assessing financial impact (A) is part of investigation, not first response. Disabling all user accounts (B) is too disruptive and not recommended as a first step. Running a full antivirus scan (C) may alert the attacker and is not a containment measure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Assess the financial impact of the incident
Why it's wrong here
Financial impact assessment is a business or management concern, not containment; first steps isolate affected devices and accounts to stop spread. It is tempting because cost estimation matters for later reporting and insurance claims, but it does not reduce attacker access.
- ✗
Disable all user accounts
Why it's wrong here
Disabling every user account including privileged administrators removes the ability to investigate and remediate, and causes wider outage. It is tempting as blanket containment, yet targeted disabling of compromised accounts, plus password resets, is what the response guidance prescribes.
- ✗
Run a full antivirus scan on all devices
Why it's wrong here
A full scan across all devices is slow and does not contain an active ransomware operator, who may still be moving laterally. It is tempting because scanning sounds thorough, but recommended first steps prioritise isolation of affected endpoints and investigation of the incident scope.
- ✓
Isolate affected devices using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Why this is correct
Isolation severs the endpoint's network connectivity while preserving its volatile memory and forensic artefacts, immediately halting lateral spread and encryption across the estate. This containment step directly satisfies the stem's requirement for a recommended first response action in Microsoft Defender XDR before eradication or recovery begins.
- ✓
Revoke user sessions and require reauthentication
Why this is correct
Revoking sessions and requiring reauthentication immediately severs attacker access obtained through stolen tokens, satisfying the containment-first requirement for confirmed ransomware. Microsoft Entra ID session revocation invalidates refresh tokens, forcing credential re-entry and blocking lateral movement before further encryption or exfiltration occurs.
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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.