The correct answer is an activity policy that detects uploads to personal cloud storage services. This is because Defender for Cloud Apps activity policies monitor real-time user actions, such as file uploads, downloads, or sharing events, across connected cloud apps, making them ideal for catching data exfiltration as it happens. In contrast, file policies analyze files already stored in the cloud, anomaly detection flags broad behavioral deviations, and app discovery identifies shadow IT usage—none of which target the specific act of uploading sensitive data to a non-corporate service. On the SC-200 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between policy types by focusing on the action versus the data state; a common trap is confusing activity policies with file policies. Remember the memory tip: “Activity catches the action, file catches the file”—so for exfiltration in motion, choose activity.
SC-200 Respond to security incidents Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of respond to security incidents. 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 responding to a data exfiltration incident involving a user who copied sensitive files to a personal cloud storage service. The files were accessed from the user's managed device. Which Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps activity policy should you create to detect similar future incidents?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
An activity policy that detects uploads to personal cloud storage services.
Option C is correct because an activity policy can monitor file uploads to non-corporate cloud apps. Option A is wrong because a file policy applies to files already in cloud apps. Option B is wrong because an anomaly detection policy is for unusual behavior, not specific uploads. Option D is wrong because an app discovery policy identifies shadow IT apps, not specific activities.
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.
✗
An anomaly detection policy that flags impossible travel.
Why it's wrong here
Anomaly detection is for behavioral anomalies, not specific upload actions.
✓
An activity policy that detects uploads to personal cloud storage services.
Why this is correct
Activity policies monitor specific activities like file uploads to non-corporate apps.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
A file policy that detects files shared with external users.
Why it's wrong here
File policies monitor files stored in cloud apps, not upload activities.
✗
An app discovery policy that identifies new cloud apps used in the organization.
Why it's wrong here
App discovery identifies apps, not activities within apps.
Common exam traps
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
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: An activity policy that detects uploads to personal cloud storage services. — Option C is correct because an activity policy can monitor file uploads to non-corporate cloud apps. Option A is wrong because a file policy applies to files already in cloud apps. Option B is wrong because an anomaly detection policy is for unusual behavior, not specific uploads. Option D is wrong because an app discovery policy identifies shadow IT apps, not specific activities.
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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