The answer is to block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps. This is the correct first step because Defender for Cloud Apps provides a real-time, tenant-wide URL blocking capability that immediately prevents any user from accessing the malicious link, effectively containing the phishing campaign by blocking malicious URL access across all devices and cloud apps. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of containment priorities: while Microsoft Defender for Office 365 can block the email at the transport layer, it does not retroactively block a link already clicked; Defender for Endpoint can block on individual devices but lacks the broad, policy-driven scope of Cloud Apps. A common trap is choosing to delete the email from all mailboxes, which is a remediation step, not immediate containment. Remember the containment hierarchy: block the destination first, then clean the source. Memory tip: “Cloud Apps blocks the bridge, not just the boat.”
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.
Your company uses Microsoft Sentinel as its SIEM. You are investigating an incident where a user reported receiving a phishing email that appeared to come from the CEO requesting a wire transfer. The user did not respond. However, the incident also contains alerts from Microsoft Defender for Office 365 indicating that other users clicked on a malicious link in a similar email. The email was sent to 100 users. The company has Microsoft Defender for Endpoint deployed on all devices. The incident requires immediate containment to prevent further compromise. What should you do first?
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
✓
Block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
Blocking the malicious URL in Defender for Cloud Apps or Defender for Endpoint prevents users from accessing it. Option B is for email but not real-time; Option C is later; Option D is for the user's device only.
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.
✗
Run a threat hunting query to find all users who clicked the link.
Why it's wrong here
Investigation should follow containment.
✓
Block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
Why this is correct
Stops access to the URL across all devices.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Isolate the device of the user who reported the email.
Why it's wrong here
The user didn't click; isolation is not needed.
✗
Delete the email from all users' mailboxes using Microsoft 365 Defender.
Why it's wrong here
Deletion doesn't prevent access if users already clicked.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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: Block the malicious URL using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps. — Blocking the malicious URL in Defender for Cloud Apps or Defender for Endpoint prevents users from accessing it. Option B is for email but not real-time; Option C is later; Option D is for the user's device only.
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.
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?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.