The answer is two valid methods: the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) and the Log Analytics agent (MMA). The AMA is the current, recommended agent for connecting non-Azure Windows servers to Sentinel because it uses Data Collection Rules (DCRs) for granular control over log ingestion, replacing the older MMA with improved efficiency and security. The MMA, while being phased out, remains a supported method for existing deployments and is still valid for the exam. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your understanding of agent migration paths and supported data connectors; a common trap is assuming only the newest agent is acceptable, but Microsoft explicitly validates both for legacy compatibility. Remember the memory tip: “AMA is the future, MMA is the past, but both are valid for the test.”
SC-200 Manage a security operations environment Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 TWO are valid methods to connect a non-Azure Windows server to Microsoft Sentinel? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Install the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA)
Option A is correct because the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) is the current, recommended agent for collecting data from non-Azure Windows servers and sending it to Microsoft Sentinel. It replaces the older Log Analytics agent and supports data collection via Data Collection Rules (DCRs), which allow granular control over which events and performance counters are ingested. Option D is correct because the Log Analytics agent (MMA) was the original method to connect Windows servers to Sentinel, and while it is being phased out in favor of AMA, it remains a valid supported method for existing deployments.
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.
✓
Install the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA)
Why this is correct
AMA supports Windows and Linux.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Install the Azure Security Center agent
Why it's wrong here
Azure Security Center agent is for Azure VMs.
✗
Configure Windows Event Forwarding (WEF) and point it to Sentinel
Why it's wrong here
WEF forwards events to a collector, which then needs an agent to send to Sentinel.
✓
Install the Log Analytics agent (MMA)
Why this is correct
MMA is the legacy agent for Windows.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure the server to forward syslog to Sentinel
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Windows Event Forwarding (WEF) as a direct data connector to Sentinel, when in fact WEF only centralizes events on a collector server, which still requires an agent to forward to Sentinel, making it an indirect method not listed as a direct connection option.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) uses the Azure Monitor Ingestion API and Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to define which logs and performance counters to collect, allowing for more flexible and scalable configurations than the legacy Log Analytics agent. The Log Analytics agent (MMA) uses the older OMS gateway and is limited to a single workspace per agent, whereas AMA supports multi-homing to multiple workspaces and integrates with Microsoft Sentinel's UEBA and entity behavior analytics. In real-world migrations, organizations often run both agents side-by-side during a transition period to avoid data loss.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
Manage a security operations environment — This question tests Manage a security operations environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Install the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) — Option A is correct because the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA) is the current, recommended agent for collecting data from non-Azure Windows servers and sending it to Microsoft Sentinel. It replaces the older Log Analytics agent and supports data collection via Data Collection Rules (DCRs), which allow granular control over which events and performance counters are ingested. Option D is correct because the Log Analytics agent (MMA) was the original method to connect Windows servers to Sentinel, and while it is being phased out in favor of AMA, it remains a valid supported method for existing deployments.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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