The correct answer is to create a Safe Attachments policy that blocks .docm files. This is because Safe Attachments in Microsoft Defender for Office 365 uses detonation chambers to open and analyze attachments in a virtual environment, catching macro-based malware that static scanning in Exchange Online Protection (EOP) might miss. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between layered protection policies: Safe Attachments handles file-borne threats, while Safe Links handles URLs, and anti-phishing policies focus on impersonation. A common trap is confusing Safe Attachments with basic anti-malware policies in EOP, which lack dynamic analysis for macro viruses. Remember the mnemonic: “Macro in the file? Safe Attachments is your style.”
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. 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.
You are investigating an incident where a user reported receiving a suspicious email with an attachment. The attachment is a .docm file that contains macros. The email was not blocked by Exchange Online Protection. You need to ensure that similar emails are blocked in the future. What should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a Safe Attachments policy that blocks .docm files.
Option A is correct because a Safe Attachments policy in Microsoft Defender for Office 365 will scan attachments and block malicious ones. Option B is wrong because Safe Links scans URLs, not attachments. Option C is wrong because anti-phishing policies protect against impersonation, not malicious attachments. Option D is wrong because anti-malware policies in Exchange Online Protection are basic and may not detect macro-based malware effectively.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Create a Safe Links policy to block links in the email.
Why it's wrong here
Safe Links is for URLs, not attachments.
✓
Create a Safe Attachments policy that blocks .docm files.
Why this is correct
Safe Attachments detonates attachments in a sandbox and blocks malicious content.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Create an anti-phishing policy to block the sender's domain.
Why it's wrong here
Anti-phishing policies are for impersonation protection.
✗
Create a transport rule to block emails with .docm attachments.
Why it's wrong here
Transport rules can block file types, but Safe Attachments provides more advanced detection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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. NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated. 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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-200 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Safe Attachments policy that blocks .docm files. — Option A is correct because a Safe Attachments policy in Microsoft Defender for Office 365 will scan attachments and block malicious ones. Option B is wrong because Safe Links scans URLs, not attachments. Option C is wrong because anti-phishing policies protect against impersonation, not malicious attachments. Option D is wrong because anti-malware policies in Exchange Online Protection are basic and may not detect macro-based malware effectively.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-200 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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