The answer is to increase the threshold to 20 failed logons. This is the most effective way to reduce false positives in Microsoft Sentinel analytics rules because it raises the noise floor for benign user errors—like a single user forgetting their password—while still reliably detecting actual brute-force attacks, which typically involve many more failures across multiple accounts. On the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst SC-200 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of tuning rule logic rather than relying on post-detection automation; a common trap is assuming a playbook that closes incidents solves the root cause, but it does not prevent the rule from generating unnecessary alerts. Remember the memory tip: “Threshold first, automation last”—always adjust the detection threshold before layering on response actions to avoid flooding your SOC with false positives.
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 security operations center (SOC) uses Microsoft Sentinel with a custom analytics rule that generates an incident when more than 10 failed logons occur within 5 minutes. During a review, you notice that a single user triggered the rule by forgetting their password multiple times. The incident was automatically closed by a playbook. What is the most effective way to reduce false positives for this rule?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Increase the threshold to 20 failed logons
Option D is correct because adjusting the threshold (e.g., to 20 failures) reduces false positives while still capturing brute-force attacks. Option A is wrong because disabling the rule removes detection entirely. Option B is wrong because grouping by user still generates an incident per user. Option C is wrong because a playbook to close incidents does not prevent generation.
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.
✓
Increase the threshold to 20 failed logons
Why this is correct
A higher threshold reduces noise from password mistakes while still detecting brute-force attacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a playbook to automatically close the incident
Why it's wrong here
Closing incidents after creation still consumes analyst time.
✗
Disable the analytics rule
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the rule eliminates detection of real brute-force attempts.
✗
Change the rule to group events by user
Why it's wrong here
Grouping does not reduce false positives for a single user.
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.
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: Increase the threshold to 20 failed logons — Option D is correct because adjusting the threshold (e.g., to 20 failures) reduces false positives while still capturing brute-force attacks. Option A is wrong because disabling the rule removes detection entirely. Option B is wrong because grouping by user still generates an incident per user. Option C is wrong because a playbook to close incidents does not prevent generation.
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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