The answer is to check the user’s recent activity and the targeted resource in Microsoft Entra ID audit logs. This is the correct first step because the AzureHound privilege escalation alert in Microsoft Sentinel typically surfaces a specific user account and a high-value resource, such as a privileged role or sensitive application, that requires immediate verification against historical audit data. By correlating the alert’s details with Entra ID logs, you can confirm whether the user actually performed the suspicious action or if the alert is a false positive triggered by legitimate administrative behavior. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize investigation over reaction—blocking the user prematurely (a common trap) would disrupt operations without evidence. The exam emphasizes a structured incident response workflow, where validation precedes containment. Remember the mnemonic “Audit Before Action” to anchor the sequence: always verify the logs before taking any automated or manual response steps.
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.
You receive an alert in Microsoft Sentinel indicating a potential privilege escalation using the 'AzureHound' tool. You need to determine if the alert is a true positive. What is the first step you should take?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Check the user's recent activity and the targeted resource in Microsoft Entra ID audit logs
Option B is correct because the alert provides the user and resource details that should be verified. Option A is wrong because blocking the user may be premature. Option C is wrong because it's too broad. Option D is wrong because it doesn't investigate the specific alert.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Check the user's recent activity and the targeted resource in Microsoft Entra ID audit logs
Why this is correct
This allows you to confirm if the activity is legitimate or malicious.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Review the Microsoft Defender for Cloud recommendation for the resource
Why it's wrong here
This doesn't investigate the specific alert.
✗
Block the user account immediately
Why it's wrong here
May be premature without verification.
✗
Run a full antivirus scan on all devices
Why it's wrong here
Too broad; not focused on the specific alert.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. 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 Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Respond to security incidents — This question tests Respond to security incidents — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Check the user's recent activity and the targeted resource in Microsoft Entra ID audit logs — Option B is correct because the alert provides the user and resource details that should be verified. Option A is wrong because blocking the user may be premature. Option C is wrong because it's too broad. Option D is wrong because it doesn't investigate the specific alert.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-200 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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