The answer is to identify users with more than 5 MFA failure anomalies in the last 7 days. This is correct because the KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel uses the `summarize` operator to count alerts per user, then applies a `where` filter for counts greater than 5, isolating accounts with excessive authentication failures. On the SC-900 exam, this tests your understanding of how KQL queries are used for security monitoring and anomaly detection within Sentinel’s threat management capabilities. A common trap is confusing a count-based filter with a full alert list or assuming it correlates with other data sources—the query only focuses on MFA failure volume. For a memory tip, think “MFA > 5 in 7” to recall the threshold and timeframe, and remember that KQL’s `summarize` + `where` is the standard pattern for detecting outliers in security logs.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft compliance solutions. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```kusto
// KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel
SecurityAlert
| where AlertName == "MFA failure anomaly"
| where TimeGenerated > ago(7d)
| summarize Count = count() by UserPrincipalName
| where Count > 5
```
A security analyst runs the above KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel. What is the primary purpose of this query?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Refer to the exhibit.
```kusto
// KQL query in Microsoft Sentinel
SecurityAlert
| where AlertName == "MFA failure anomaly"
| where TimeGenerated > ago(7d)
| summarize Count = count() by UserPrincipalName
| where Count > 5
```
A
Correlate MFA failures with other security events
Why wrong: The query only looks at SecurityAlert table, no correlation.
B
Identify all users who had an MFA failure anomaly in the last 7 days
Why wrong: The query only returns users with more than 5 alerts, not all users.
C
Identify users who have been blocked due to MFA failures
Why wrong: The query does not check block status.
D
Identify users with more than 5 MFA failure anomalies in the last 7 days
The where clause filters for count > 5, so it returns users with excessive anomalies.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Identify users with more than 5 MFA failure anomalies in the last 7 days
Option B is correct because the query counts alerts per user and filters for >5, indicating users with excessive MFA failures. Option A is wrong because it doesn't list all alerts. Option C is wrong because it doesn't correlate with other sources. Option D is wrong because it doesn't identify blocked users.
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.
✗
Correlate MFA failures with other security events
Why it's wrong here
The query only looks at SecurityAlert table, no correlation.
✗
Identify all users who had an MFA failure anomaly in the last 7 days
Why it's wrong here
The query only returns users with more than 5 alerts, not all users.
✗
Identify users who have been blocked due to MFA failures
Why it's wrong here
The query does not check block status.
✓
Identify users with more than 5 MFA failure anomalies in the last 7 days
Why this is correct
The where clause filters for count > 5, so it returns users with excessive anomalies.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" 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 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-900 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-900 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.
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Identify users with more than 5 MFA failure anomalies in the last 7 days — Option B is correct because the query counts alerts per user and filters for >5, indicating users with excessive MFA failures. Option A is wrong because it doesn't list all alerts. Option C is wrong because it doesn't correlate with other sources. Option D is wrong because it doesn't identify blocked users.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 question wrong?
Identify which SC-900 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: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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