The correct configuration is to adjust the automated investigation and response settings in Microsoft 365 Defender to automatically investigate alerts. This is because Defender for Endpoint’s automation level determines whether high severity alerts trigger an immediate, self-contained investigation without requiring manual intervention. On the SC-200 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how automation levels—such as full, semi, or no automation—directly impact incident response workflows; a common trap is confusing alert suppression (which only reduces noise) with automated investigation, or mistaking advanced hunting for a response mechanism. Remember that automated investigation for high severity alerts is governed by the automation level, not by indicators or hunting queries. A useful memory tip is to think “high severity, high automation”—if the alert is critical, the system should act without waiting for you.
SC-200 Manage a security operations environment Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 Endpoint. You need to ensure that when a high severity alert is generated, an automated investigation is launched immediately. What is the correct configuration?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "immediately / without restart"
Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
In Microsoft 365 Defender, configure automated investigation and response settings to automatically investigate alerts.
Option A is correct because automated investigation settings in Microsoft 365 Defender configure the automation level. Option B is wrong because alert suppression does not start investigation. Option C is wrong because indicators are for threat intelligence. Option D is wrong because advanced hunting is a query tool, not automated response.
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 custom indicator in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
Why it's wrong here
Indicators are for blocking or allowing, not automation.
✗
Use advanced hunting to create a custom detection rule.
Why it's wrong here
Custom detection rules can create alerts but do not automatically launch investigations.
✗
In Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, set up an alert suppression rule.
Why it's wrong here
Alert suppression hides alerts or reduces noise, but does not trigger investigations.
✓
In Microsoft 365 Defender, configure automated investigation and response settings to automatically investigate alerts.
Why this is correct
The automated investigation settings allow you to set the automation level for different alert groups, including high severity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
Manage a security operations environment — This question tests Manage a security operations environment — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: In Microsoft 365 Defender, configure automated investigation and response settings to automatically investigate alerts. — Option A is correct because automated investigation settings in Microsoft 365 Defender configure the automation level. Option B is wrong because alert suppression does not start investigation. Option C is wrong because indicators are for threat intelligence. Option D is wrong because advanced hunting is a query tool, not automated response.
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: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization uses Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. You need to ensure that when a malware alert is generated, an automated investigation is triggered. What should you configure?
easy
A.Configure the Action center settings.
B.Create custom indicators of compromise (IOCs).
C.Use threat analytics to trigger investigations.
✓ D.Enable automated investigation and remediation in the Microsoft 365 Defender portal.
Why D: Defender for Endpoint has automated investigation and remediation settings that can be enabled. Option C is correct. Option A is wrong because action center is for reviewing actions, not configuring automation. Option B is wrong because indicators are for blocking, not automated investigations. Option D is wrong because threat analytics provides reports, not automated investigation triggers.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
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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.
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