The answer is to create a Microsoft 365 Defender incident response playbook that triggers on the alert and runs automated actions. This is the most efficient approach because a playbook can orchestrate a coordinated response across the Microsoft 365 Defender ecosystem, simultaneously isolating the device via Defender for Endpoint and revoking the user’s access to all cloud apps through Defender for Cloud Apps, all triggered automatically by the alert. On the SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of automated response workflows and the integration between Defender for Cloud Apps and Defender for Endpoint—a common trap is to manually disable the user in Entra ID, which fails to isolate the device, or to disable the app connector, which affects all users. Remember the memory tip: “Playbook pairs device isolation with app revocation” to quickly recall that a single automated playbook handles both actions efficiently.
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 organization uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps. A security analyst receives an alert about suspicious activity from a user account indicating a potential ransomware attack. The analyst needs to quickly isolate the user's device and revoke the user's access to all cloud apps. What is the most efficient way to achieve this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a Microsoft 365 Defender incident response playbook that triggers on the alert and runs automated actions.
Option C is correct because Microsoft 365 Defender integrates alerts and supports automated response actions like device isolation and user account restriction across Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and Defender for Endpoint. Option A is wrong because incident-based response is less efficient for a single alert. Option B is wrong because manually disabling the user in Entra ID does not isolate the device. Option D is wrong because disabling the app connector doesn't revoke access for that user 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.
✓
Create a Microsoft 365 Defender incident response playbook that triggers on the alert and runs automated actions.
Why this is correct
Correct: Playbooks can automate device isolation and user account restriction across services.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps Governance log to apply a user quarantine policy.
Why it's wrong here
User quarantine in Defender for Cloud Apps suspends access but does not isolate the device.
✗
Disable the Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps app connector for the affected cloud app.
Why it's wrong here
Disables app connector for all users, not just the compromised user.
✗
Manually disable the user account in Microsoft Entra ID.
Why it's wrong here
Does not isolate the device; leaves device potentially compromised.
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: Create a Microsoft 365 Defender incident response playbook that triggers on the alert and runs automated actions. — Option C is correct because Microsoft 365 Defender integrates alerts and supports automated response actions like device isolation and user account restriction across Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and Defender for Endpoint. Option A is wrong because incident-based response is less efficient for a single alert. Option B is wrong because manually disabling the user in Entra ID does not isolate the device. Option D is wrong because disabling the app connector doesn't revoke access for that user 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.
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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