The answer is the ASR rule with GUID 01443614-cd74-433a-b99e-2ecdc07bfc25, titled "Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion." This rule is correct because it uses Microsoft’s cloud-delivered reputation intelligence to evaluate each executable—such as .exe, .dll, or .scr files—against three gates: prevalence (how widely the file is seen across the organization), age (how long the file has existed), and a custom trusted list. If a file fails all three checks, it is blocked from execution, directly matching the requirement to block executables unless they meet prevalence, age, or trusted list criteria. On the SC-200 exam, this rule often appears in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish it from other ASR rules like blocking untrusted fonts or Office communication apps; a common trap is confusing it with the rule that blocks executable content from email or web. Remember the mnemonic "PAT" for Prevalence, Age, and Trusted list—if a file lacks all three, it’s blocked.
SC-200 Manage a security operations environment Practice Question
This SC-200 practice question tests your understanding of manage a security operations environment. 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 XDR and you are configuring attack surface reduction (ASR) rules. You need to implement a rule that blocks executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion. Which ASR rule should you enable?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion
Option D is correct because the ASR rule 'Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion' (GUID: 01443614-cd74-433a-b99e-2ecdc07bfc25) is specifically designed to prevent executable files (e.g., .exe, .dll, .scr) from running unless they have been seen in the organization (prevalence), are old enough (age), or are on a trusted list. This rule uses cloud-delivered protection and Microsoft's reputation-based intelligence to evaluate files before execution, directly matching the requirement described in the question.
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.
✗
Block untrusted and unsigned processes that run from USB
Why it's wrong here
This rule targets USB, not all executables.
✗
Block Office applications from creating executable content
Why it's wrong here
This rule blocks Office apps from creating executables, not all executables.
✗
Block credential stealing from the Windows local security authority subsystem (lsass.exe)
Why it's wrong here
This rule protects lsass, not executable files.
✓
Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion
Why this is correct
This ASR rule matches the description.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse this ASR rule with the 'Block untrusted and unsigned processes that run from USB' rule, mistakenly thinking that 'untrusted' means the same as 'not meeting prevalence/age/trusted list criteria,' but the USB rule only applies to removable drives, not all executable files from any location.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, this ASR rule leverages Microsoft's Intelligent Security Graph (ISG) to assign a reputation score to each executable based on its prevalence (how many devices have run it), age (how long the file has been known), and whether it appears on a trusted list (e.g., Microsoft's trusted publisher list). When a file is blocked, the rule logs event ID 1121 in the Microsoft-Windows-Windows Defender/Operational log, and administrators can use the 'Allow' action to override for specific files via Group Policy or Microsoft Intune. In a real-world scenario, this rule is critical for preventing zero-day malware that hasn't been seen before, as it requires files to have a minimum prevalence (e.g., seen on at least 10,000 devices) or be older than 30 days to run.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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.
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: Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion — Option D is correct because the ASR rule 'Block executable files from running unless they meet a prevalence, age, or trusted list criterion' (GUID: 01443614-cd74-433a-b99e-2ecdc07bfc25) is specifically designed to prevent executable files (e.g., .exe, .dll, .scr) from running unless they have been seen in the organization (prevalence), are old enough (age), or are on a trusted list. This rule uses cloud-delivered protection and Microsoft's reputation-based intelligence to evaluate files before execution, directly matching the requirement described in the question.
What should I do if I get this SC-200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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