Quick Answer
The correct answer is the Windows Security Events via AMA data connector. This is the only connector specifically built to ingest Windows security events from on-premises servers using the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA), as it leverages Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to filter and forward critical Event IDs like 4625 (failed logon) and 4688 (process creation) directly into Microsoft Sentinel. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the transition from the legacy Log Analytics Agent to the AMA, and a common trap is confusing this connector with the older "Security Events via Legacy Agent" option. Remember that any question mentioning "AMA" or "Azure Monitor Agent" automatically disqualifies legacy connectors. Memory tip: think "AMA = DCRs" — if the question involves the Azure Monitor Agent, you must use a connector that supports Data Collection Rules, and Windows Security Events via AMA is the only one that fits.
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.
You are setting up Microsoft Sentinel for the first time. You need to ingest Windows security events from on-premises servers using the Azure Monitor Agent. Which data connector should you enable in Microsoft Sentinel?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Common Event Format (CEF) via AMA
Why wrong: Incorrect. CEF is for third-party security appliances.
Windows Security Events via AMA
Correct. This connector uses Azure Monitor Agent to collect Windows security events.
Syslog via AMA
Why wrong: Incorrect. Syslog is for Linux systems.
DNS via AMA
Why wrong: Incorrect. DNS connector is for DNS server logs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Windows Security Events via AMA
The Windows Security Events via AMA data connector is specifically designed to collect Windows security events (e.g., Event ID 4625, 4688) from on-premises servers using the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA). This connector leverages the AMA's Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to filter and ingest security-relevant logs directly into Microsoft Sentinel, making it the correct choice for this scenario.
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.
Common Event Format (CEF) via AMA
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. CEF is for third-party security appliances.
Windows Security Events via AMA
Why this is correct
Correct. This connector uses Azure Monitor Agent to collect Windows security events.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Syslog via AMA
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Syslog is for Linux systems.
DNS via AMA
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. DNS connector is for DNS server logs.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Syslog via AMA' with Windows event collection, but Syslog is a Linux-centric protocol (UDP/TCP 514) and cannot natively read Windows Event Log files.
Detailed technical explanation
The Azure Monitor Agent uses Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to define which event logs (e.g., Security, System, Application) and specific event IDs to collect. Under the hood, the AMA's Windows Event Log data source reads from the Windows Event Log API, and the Windows Security Events via AMA connector pre-configures a DCR with security-relevant event IDs (e.g., 4624, 4625, 4688) to reduce noise and storage costs. A real-world scenario is an organization migrating from the Log Analytics Agent (MMA) to AMA, where this connector ensures continuity of security event ingestion without manual DCR tuning.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: Windows Security Events via AMA — The Windows Security Events via AMA data connector is specifically designed to collect Windows security events (e.g., Event ID 4625, 4688) from on-premises servers using the Azure Monitor Agent (AMA). This connector leverages the AMA's Data Collection Rules (DCRs) to filter and ingest security-relevant logs directly into Microsoft Sentinel, making it the correct choice for this scenario.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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