The correct answer is to identify IPs with a high number of alerts, indicating a possible attack. In KQL, the `summarize` operator groups data by a specified column—here, it aggregates the SQL injection alerts by IP address and counts them using `count()`, while the `where AlertCount > 5` line filters those groups to retain only IPs that generated more than five alerts in the last seven days. This combination directly surfaces high-frequency sources, which is a core technique in alert analysis for the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, where you must distinguish between benign noise and targeted attacks. A common trap is confusing `summarize` with `distinct`—remember that `summarize` creates new aggregated rows, not just deduplication. For the exam, think of it as “group and filter” rather than “remove duplicates.” A quick memory tip: “Summarize to cluster, where to filter the cluster.”
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```kusto
SecurityAlert
| where TimeGenerated > ago(7d)
| where AlertName == "Malicious SQL injection"
| extend IPAddress = tostring(parse_json(Entities)[0].Address)
| summarize AlertCount = count() by IPAddress
| where AlertCount > 5
| project IPAddress, AlertCount
```
You are investigating repeated SQL injection alerts. The KQL query returns IP addresses with more than 5 alerts in the last 7 days. What is the purpose of the `summarize` and `where AlertCount > 5` lines?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
To identify IPs with a high number of alerts, indicating a possible attack.
Option D is correct because the query groups alerts by IP and filters for those with high frequency, indicating a potential attack. Option A is wrong because the query does not remove duplicates. Option B is wrong because it does not count distinct IPs. Option C is wrong because it does not correlate with other tables.
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.
✓
To identify IPs with a high number of alerts, indicating a possible attack.
Why this is correct
High alert counts may indicate ongoing malicious activity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: To identify IPs with a high number of alerts, indicating a possible attack. — Option D is correct because the query groups alerts by IP and filters for those with high frequency, indicating a potential attack. Option A is wrong because the query does not remove duplicates. Option B is wrong because it does not count distinct IPs. Option C is wrong because it does not correlate with other tables.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which SC-200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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