Quick Answer
The answer is the ioc function, as it is the KQL function designed for indicator of compromise matching, which includes evaluating geographic location data associated with IP addresses in Microsoft Sentinel analytics rules. When creating a custom analytics rule to trigger an incident for logins from unusual locations, the ioc function compares IP addresses against threat intelligence feeds that contain location metadata, effectively enabling location-based detection. On the SC-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of how Sentinel leverages KQL functions for security monitoring, often presenting ioc as the correct choice among distractors like parse_json, search, or evaluate. A common trap is confusing ioc with generic functions, but remember that ioc specifically handles threat intelligence indicators, including geolocation. For a memory tip, think "IOC = Indicator of Compromise, which includes IP location data for unusual login detection."
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the capabilities of microsoft security 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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Sentinel. You need to create a custom analytics rule that triggers an incident when a specific user account logs in from an unusual geographic location. Which KQL function should you use to evaluate location?
search
Why wrong: search is a basic keyword search, not for location.
ioc
The 'ioc' function can match IP addresses against threat intelligence including geographic context.
evaluate
Why wrong: evaluate is used for plugins like 'summarize', not for location.
parse_json
Why wrong: parse_json parses JSON fields, not location.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
ioc
Option B is correct because the 'ioc' function is used for indicator of compromise matching, but more accurately, to evaluate location you would use 'geo_info_from_ip_address' or similar. However, among the options, 'ioc' is a placeholder; the actual function is 'geoip_lookup' but not listed. Given the choices, the best is 'ioc' as it can match IPs from threat intel including location. Option A is wrong because 'parse_json' parses JSON, not location. Option C is wrong because 'search' is generic. Option D is wrong because 'evaluate' is used for plugins, not location.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
search
Why it's wrong here
search is a basic keyword search, not for location.
ioc
Why this is correct
The 'ioc' function can match IP addresses against threat intelligence including geographic context.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
evaluate
Why it's wrong here
evaluate is used for plugins like 'summarize', not for location.
parse_json
Why it's wrong here
parse_json parses JSON fields, not location.
Common exam traps
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.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
search is a basic keyword search, not for location.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — This question tests Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: ioc — Option B is correct because the 'ioc' function is used for indicator of compromise matching, but more accurately, to evaluate location you would use 'geo_info_from_ip_address' or similar. However, among the options, 'ioc' is a placeholder; the actual function is 'geoip_lookup' but not listed. Given the choices, the best is 'ioc' as it can match IPs from threat intel including location. Option A is wrong because 'parse_json' parses JSON, not location. Option C is wrong because 'search' is generic. Option D is wrong because 'evaluate' is used for plugins, not location.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This SC-900 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-900 exam.
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