Microsoft SC-401  Administering Information Security in Microsoft 365 Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 6 Q101-120

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Question 101

Your organization wants to enforce least privilege access for administrative accounts in Azure AD while ensuring time-bound access, approval workflows, and MFA enforcement. Which solution combination is most appropriate?

A) Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) + Conditional Access
B) Microsoft Intune + Microsoft Purview
C) Azure Firewall + Network Security Groups
D) Microsoft Sentinel + Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Answer: A) Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) + Conditional Access

Explanation

Administrative accounts are highly sensitive and represent a prime target for attackers. Traditional static access models increase the risk of compromise because accounts often have persistent privileges. To minimize risk, organizations implement least privilege access in combination with just-in-time (JIT) administrative access.

Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) allows organizations to grant temporary role activation for privileged accounts. Users can request access only for the duration needed to perform specific tasks. PIM supports approval workflows, ensuring that a second party validates requests before privileges are granted. All activations are logged for auditing and compliance reporting.

Conditional Access complements PIM by enforcing risk-based authentication and device compliance checks. For instance, access can require MFA, device compliance, or trusted location verification before granting elevated privileges. This ensures that JIT access is not only time-bound but also secure and contextual.

Alternative options are not sufficient:

Intune + Purview focuses on device management and data governance, not privileged access.

Azure Firewall + NSGs control network traffic but do not manage identities or roles.

Sentinel + Defender for Endpoint provide monitoring and detection but cannot enforce temporary administrative access policies.

Benefits include:

Reduced attack surface by limiting the time administrators have elevated privileges.

Approval workflows provide oversight for all access activations.

Auditability ensures compliance and traceability.

Contextual access enforcement ensures that only trusted users on compliant devices can gain access.

Alignment with Zero Trust principles, verifying each elevation request before granting access.

By deploying PIM with Conditional Access, organizations achieve a robust, least-privilege administrative model that reduces the risk of compromised credentials and ensures controlled, auditable access.

Question 102

Your organization needs to detect insider threats, including compromised accounts and unusual activity in Active Directory and Azure AD. Which solution should you implement?
A) Microsoft Defender for Identity
B) Azure Key Vault
C) Microsoft Intune
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Microsoft Defender for Identity

Explanation

Insider threats can be malicious or accidental and represent a high-risk scenario because they originate from legitimate accounts with valid access. Detecting these threats requires behavioral analytics across identity systems, particularly in hybrid environments combining on-premises Active Directory (AD) and Azure AD.

Microsoft Defender for Identity (formerly Azure ATP) provides real-time monitoring of user and entity behavior to detect anomalies such as unusual logins, lateral movement, privilege escalation, and suspicious changes to AD groups. It establishes behavioral baselines using machine learning and triggers alerts when deviations occur.

Defender for Identity integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Sentinel for centralized incident management and enables security teams to investigate suspicious activities efficiently. It also generates alerts for compromised accounts, enabling rapid response before attackers escalate privileges or exfiltrate sensitive data.

Alternative options:

Azure Key Vault secures secrets and certificates but does not monitor user behavior.

Intune ensures device compliance but cannot detect insider threats.

Purview monitors and governs data but does not analyze identity activity or detect malicious behavior.

Benefits of Defender for Identity:

Real-time threat detection across hybrid AD and Azure AD environments.

Behavioral analytics to identify deviations from normal activity.

Alerts and investigation tools for rapid mitigation of insider threats.

Integration with SIEM and automation for coordinated response.

Support for Zero Trust by continuously verifying user activity and access.

Deploying Defender for Identity ensures organizations can detect insider threats proactively, minimize damage, and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

Question 103

Your organization wants to monitor and protect sensitive cloud data across SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams, enforcing automatic encryption and access restrictions based on content classification. Which solution is most suitable?

A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Sentinel
D) Microsoft Intune

Answer: A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)

Explanation

Modern collaboration tools enable employees to share information quickly, but they also increase the risk of data leakage. Protecting sensitive content in SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams requires a solution that can classify, label, and enforce protection policies automatically.

Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) provides a data-centric security approach, allowing organizations to define sensitivity labels such as Confidential, Highly Confidential, or Public. Labels can be applied automatically based on content inspection, such as detecting credit card numbers, personal data, or intellectual property. Once applied, labels enforce encryption, access restrictions, and rights management, ensuring that sensitive information is protected even when shared externally.

MIP integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 applications and also supports hybrid environments. Policies can include automatic encryption, access revocation, and restricted sharing, reducing reliance on users to classify data manually.

Alternative options are not suitable:

Azure Firewall controls network traffic but does not protect files.

Sentinel monitors security events but does not enforce data protection.

Intune manages devices but does not classify or encrypt content.

Benefits of MIP:

Automatic protection of sensitive content across collaboration platforms.

Access control and encryption enforced by sensitivity labels.

Regulatory compliance support for GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO standards.

Integration with DLP to prevent accidental sharing of sensitive data.

Support for Zero Trust principles, continuously verifying access and usage rights.

Implementing MIP ensures that sensitive data is classified and protected automatically, reducing the risk of data breaches and supporting compliance initiatives.

Question 104

Your organization wants to discover and assess all cloud applications in use, assign risk scores, and enforce policies for unsanctioned apps to reduce shadow IT. Which solution should you use?

A) Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS)
B) Azure AD Identity Protection
C) Microsoft Intune
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer: A) Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS)

Explanation

Shadow IT occurs when employees use unsanctioned cloud applications outside IT oversight, introducing security, compliance, and operational risks. Organizations need solutions that provide visibility, risk scoring, and policy enforcement for all cloud applications.

Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS) is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) that enables discovery of all cloud apps in use, monitoring network traffic and API logs. MCAS assigns risk scores to each application based on security, compliance certifications, and user activity patterns, allowing IT teams to identify risky apps.

MCAS supports real-time policy enforcement, such as blocking access, restricting downloads, and preventing data sharing with unsanctioned applications. Integration with Conditional Access ensures that risky or unapproved apps cannot access corporate resources, reducing shadow IT exposure.

Alternative solutions:

Azure AD Identity Protection focuses on user and sign-in risks, not app usage.

Intune manages devices but cannot detect cloud app activity.

Azure Key Vault protects secrets but does not provide cloud app visibility or risk assessment.

Benefits of MCAS:

Visibility into all cloud applications used in the organization.

Risk assessment and scoring to prioritize mitigation.

Policy enforcement to block or restrict high-risk apps.

Real-time monitoring for anomalous behavior.

Alignment with Zero Trust, continuously verifying app and user behavior.

By deploying MCAS, organizations reduce shadow IT, enforce compliance policies, and maintain control over cloud applications in hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

Question 105

Your organization wants to protect endpoints against malware, ransomware, and advanced attacks, with automated investigation and remediation capabilities. Which solution is appropriate?

A) Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Purview
D) Microsoft Intune

Answer: A) Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Explanation

Endpoints are a major attack vector because they provide access to sensitive data and corporate resources. Traditional antivirus solutions are insufficient against modern threats like ransomware, fileless malware, and advanced persistent threats. Organizations require endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that offer behavioral analysis, threat intelligence, and automated remediation.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides a comprehensive EDR platform for Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. It monitors processes, file activity, network connections, and device behavior, detecting suspicious activity using machine learning and threat intelligence.

Key capabilities include:

Automated investigation, which analyzes alerts to determine severity and identify affected assets.

Automated remediation, including isolating devices, terminating malicious processes, and restoring affected files.

Threat hunting and behavioral analytics, enabling proactive identification of potential attacks.

Alternative solutions are not suitable:

Azure Firewall controls network traffic but cannot protect endpoints directly.

Microsoft Purview manages data governance, not endpoint security.

Intune ensures device compliance but does not provide malware detection or remediation.

Benefits of Defender for Endpoint:

Real-time detection of malware, ransomware, and advanced threats.

Automated response reduces dwell time and mitigates attacks quickly.

Behavioral analytics and threat intelligence for proactive defense.

Cross-platform support, covering desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.

Integration with SIEM and orchestration tools, enabling centralized monitoring and response.

By deploying Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, organizations reduce the risk of endpoint compromise, minimize operational disruption, and align with Zero Trust principles of continuous monitoring and automated mitigation.

Question 106

Your organization wants to monitor risky sign-ins and user accounts in Azure AD, including unfamiliar locations, impossible travel, and leaked credentials, and automate responses like MFA enforcement or password resets. Which solution should you deploy?

A) Azure AD Identity Protection
B) Microsoft Intune
C) Azure Firewall
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Azure AD Identity Protection

Explanation

User credentials are a primary target for attackers. Compromised accounts can allow unauthorized access to sensitive data, cloud applications, and corporate resources. Detecting risky sign-ins in real-time and automating responses is critical to reducing the risk of account compromise.

Azure AD Identity Protection continuously monitors sign-in activity and evaluates users’ risk levels based on several signals:

Impossible travel, detecting logins from geographically distant locations within an unrealistic timeframe.

Unfamiliar locations or devices, highlighting potential unauthorized access.

Leaked credentials, indicating that a user’s password has appeared in breach databases.

Identity Protection calculates risk scores per user and per sign-in, enabling administrators to enforce policies that automatically trigger MFA, password resets, or account blocks when risk exceeds a predefined threshold. Integration with Conditional Access ensures that high-risk sign-ins are mitigated dynamically, aligning with Zero Trust principles of continuous verification.

Alternative options:

Intune enforces device compliance but does not analyze identity risk.

Azure Firewall protects network traffic but cannot detect risky sign-ins.

Purview focuses on data classification and governance, not identity monitoring.

Benefits include:

Real-time detection of risky sign-ins across cloud and hybrid environments.

Automated remediation reduces the need for manual intervention.

Granular risk assessment for users and individual sign-ins.

Auditability and compliance reporting, essential for regulatory frameworks.

Integration with Zero Trust policies, continuously validating identity before granting access.

Deploying Azure AD Identity Protection ensures that organizations can detect, respond to, and mitigate compromised accounts proactively, strengthening identity security and protecting organizational resources.

Question 107

Your company wants to detect and respond to threats across cloud workloads, endpoints, and identities from a centralized platform, with automated playbooks and threat intelligence integration. Which solution is appropriate?

A) Microsoft Sentinel
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Intune
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Microsoft Sentinel

Explanation

Modern enterprise threats often span multiple domains: identity compromise, endpoint malware, cloud misconfigurations, and insider threats. A centralized solution is necessary for correlation, detection, and automated response.

Microsoft Sentinel is a cloud-native SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) and SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platform. It collects security logs from Azure AD, Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Cloud, Microsoft 365, and third-party systems, correlating signals to detect suspicious or coordinated attacks.

Sentinel leverages AI-driven analytics, reducing alert fatigue and prioritizing high-risk incidents. Automated playbooks enable remediation actions such as isolating compromised devices, blocking risky accounts, or notifying administrators. Integration with threat intelligence feeds enriches alerts with known Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), allowing proactive threat hunting and investigation.

Alternative options are insufficient:

Azure Firewall protects network traffic but cannot correlate or investigate security incidents across multiple sources.

Intune manages devices but does not perform multi-domain security analysis.

Purview handles data governance, not threat detection or automated response.

Benefits of Microsoft Sentinel:

Centralized visibility across identity, endpoints, cloud workloads, and network activity.

Automated response reduces mean time to remediation (MTTR).

Threat intelligence integration for proactive defense.

Correlation of multi-domain events to detect sophisticated attacks.

Scalable, cloud-native architecture, supporting hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

Sentinel allows organizations to detect, analyze, and respond to threats efficiently, reducing risk exposure and enabling a proactive, intelligence-driven security operations model.

Question 108

Your organization wants to enforce device compliance before allowing access to Microsoft 365 applications. Devices must meet requirements like OS version, encryption, and antivirus status. Which solution combination supports this?

A) Microsoft Intune + Azure AD Conditional Access
B) Azure Firewall + Network Security Groups
C) Microsoft Purview + Microsoft Sentinel
D) Azure Key Vault + Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Answer: A) Microsoft Intune + Azure AD Conditional Access

Explanation

Device compliance is a critical component of Zero Trust security, ensuring that only trusted and secure devices can access corporate applications and data. Non-compliant devices introduce risks like malware infection, unauthorized access, and data exfiltration.

Microsoft Intune allows administrators to define compliance policies for devices, including OS version, encryption, antivirus status, and configuration baselines. Devices that fail to meet requirements are flagged as non-compliant.

Azure AD Conditional Access enforces policies based on device compliance, user risk, location, and application sensitivity. For example, a user attempting to access Microsoft 365 from a non-compliant device can be blocked or required to remediate compliance issues before access is granted.

Alternative solutions are insufficient:

Azure Firewall + NSGs manage network traffic but do not enforce device-level access.

Purview + Sentinel focus on data governance and monitoring, not access control based on device compliance.

Azure Key Vault + Defender for Endpoint protect secrets and endpoints but do not integrate compliance with access enforcement.

Benefits include:

Verification of device health before granting access.

Automatic enforcement of encryption, antivirus, and OS patching policies.

Integration with Conditional Access for context-aware access decisions.

Audit trails for compliance reporting.

Alignment with Zero Trust principles, ensuring secure access based on verified device state.

By combining Intune and Conditional Access, organizations ensure only compliant devices access corporate resources, minimizing risk and strengthening security posture.

Question 109

Your organization wants to classify and protect sensitive documents by automatically applying encryption, rights management, and access restrictions based on content. Which solution is appropriate?

A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Sentinel
D) Microsoft Intune

Answer: A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)

Explanation

Sensitive data stored in cloud collaboration platforms and on-premises environments is at risk of unauthorized access or accidental leakage. Protecting this data requires a data-centric approach that classifies content and enforces protection policies automatically.

Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) enables organizations to define sensitivity labels such as Confidential, Highly Confidential, or Public. Labels can be applied automatically using content inspection and machine learning, identifying sensitive information such as financial data, personal information, or intellectual property.

Once applied, labels enforce encryption, rights management, and access restrictions, ensuring that only authorized users can view, edit, or share the content. Integration with Microsoft 365 platforms like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams ensures that policies are applied consistently across the organization.

Alternative solutions:

Azure Firewall protects network traffic but does not protect files.

Sentinel provides monitoring and threat response but does not enforce data protection.

Intune manages devices but cannot classify or encrypt content directly.

Benefits of MIP:

Automatic classification and protection of sensitive data.

Encryption and access control based on content classification.

Regulatory compliance support, including GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO standards.

Integration with DLP policies to prevent accidental leakage.

Zero Trust alignment, continuously protecting data wherever it resides.

MIP ensures sensitive information is secured automatically, reducing risk, supporting compliance, and enforcing a data-centric security approach.

Question 110

Your organization wants to detect lateral movement and privilege escalation within hybrid Active Directory environments. Which solution provides this capability?

A) Microsoft Defender for Identity
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Intune
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Microsoft Defender for Identity

Explanation

Lateral movement and privilege escalation are tactics used by attackers to expand control after an initial compromise. Detecting these behaviors in hybrid Active Directory (on-premises + Azure AD) is crucial to protect sensitive resources and maintain operational security.

Microsoft Defender for Identity monitors authentication requests, LDAP queries, Kerberos tickets, and group modifications. Using behavioral analytics, it establishes baselines for normal user and device activity. Deviations, such as unusual access to privileged accounts or abnormal replication requests, trigger alerts for potential lateral movement or privilege escalation.

Defender for Identity also provides detailed investigation tools, showing affected accounts, devices, and the potential attack paths. Integration with Microsoft Sentinel enables centralizing alerts and correlating identity threats with endpoint and cloud signals for holistic incident response.

Alternative solutions:

Azure Firewall controls network traffic but cannot detect identity-based attacks.

Intune manages devices but does not monitor user behavior or privilege escalation.

Purview provides data governance but cannot detect security threats in AD.

Benefits include:

Real-time detection of lateral movement and privilege escalation.

Behavioral analytics to identify anomalous activity.

Integration with SIEM tools for centralized monitoring.

Detailed alerts for investigation and remediation.

Zero Trust alignment, continuously verifying the security of identities and their actions.

Deploying Defender for Identity enables organizations to proactively detect attacks, investigate suspicious activity, and mitigate risks in hybrid identity environments.

Question 111

Your organization wants to continuously monitor cloud workloads for misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, and provide actionable recommendations for remediation. Which solution should you deploy?

A) Microsoft Defender for Cloud
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Purview
D) Microsoft Intune

Answer: A) Microsoft Defender for Cloud

Explanation

Cloud environments are dynamic and can be prone to misconfigurations, security gaps, and vulnerabilities due to rapid deployment or human error. Maintaining a secure cloud posture requires continuous monitoring, automated assessment, and actionable recommendations.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud is a Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) and workload protection solution. It continuously evaluates Azure, hybrid, and multi-cloud workloads against security best practices and industry benchmarks such as CIS, NIST, and ISO standards. Defender for Cloud identifies misconfigurations like unencrypted storage accounts, insecure network settings, open management ports, or missing patches.

Defender for Cloud also includes threat detection capabilities, using behavioral analytics and Microsoft threat intelligence to detect malware, suspicious logins, lateral movement, or anomalous network activity. Alerts are prioritized based on risk, allowing security teams to focus on high-impact issues first. Integration with Microsoft Sentinel enables centralized logging, correlation, and automated remediation through playbooks.

Alternative solutions:

Azure Firewall protects network traffic but does not assess workload configurations.

Purview focuses on data governance and compliance, not workload security.

Intune manages device compliance but does not monitor cloud workloads.

Benefits of Defender for Cloud include:

Continuous monitoring for misconfigurations across cloud and hybrid environments.

Actionable recommendations for vulnerability remediation.

Threat detection for anomalous activities and attacks.

Compliance reporting aligned with industry standards.

Automation capabilities through integration with Sentinel and SOAR tools.

By deploying Defender for Cloud, organizations strengthen their security posture, reduce risk exposure, and implement Zero Trust principles by continuously verifying the security of all cloud resources.

Question 112

Your company wants to discover all cloud applications in use, assess their risk, and block unsanctioned apps to prevent shadow IT. Which solution is most appropriate?

A) Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS)
B) Azure AD Identity Protection
C) Microsoft Intune
D) Azure Key Vault

Answer: A) Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS)

Explanation

Shadow IT occurs when employees use cloud applications without IT approval, creating security, compliance, and operational risks. Organizations need solutions that provide visibility, risk assessment, and policy enforcement for all cloud applications in use.

Microsoft Cloud App Security (MCAS) is a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) that discovers applications using network traffic logs and API integration. MCAS assigns risk scores based on security features, compliance certifications, and user behavior. High-risk or unsanctioned apps can be blocked or restricted, reducing exposure to data leakage or malicious cloud services.

MCAS also provides real-time monitoring of app activities, including file sharing, downloads, and external sharing. Alerts can trigger policy enforcement or automated remediation. Integration with Azure AD Conditional Access ensures that access is only granted to approved apps and users, enforcing corporate security standards.

Alternative solutions:

Azure AD Identity Protection focuses on risky sign-ins, not cloud app discovery.

Intune manages devices but cannot monitor or enforce cloud app policies.

Azure Key Vault protects secrets but does not provide visibility or enforcement for apps.

Benefits of MCAS:

Full visibility into all cloud apps in use across the organization.

Risk scoring to prioritize mitigation for unsanctioned applications.

Policy enforcement to prevent data leakage through high-risk apps.

Real-time monitoring and alerts for anomalous cloud activity.

Integration with Zero Trust policies to continuously verify app access and user behavior.

MCAS empowers organizations to control shadow IT, mitigate risk, and maintain compliance with corporate cloud usage policies.

Question 113

Your organization wants to enforce sensitivity labels that automatically apply encryption, restrict access, and prevent unauthorized sharing of sensitive content in Microsoft 365. Which solution should you use?

A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Sentinel
D) Microsoft Intune

Answer: A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)

Explanation

In modern collaboration environments, sensitive data can easily be shared externally or leaked accidentally. Protecting data requires a data-centric security approach that classifies content and enforces access and usage restrictions.

Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) allows organizations to define sensitivity labels such as Confidential or Highly Confidential. Labels can be applied manually by users or automatically using content inspection and machine learning, detecting sensitive data such as PII, financial records, or intellectual property.

Once a label is applied, MIP enforces encryption, access control, and rights management. For instance, documents labeled Highly Confidential can only be accessed by designated users and cannot be forwarded externally. Integration with SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and Exchange ensures that policies are enforced consistently across Microsoft 365 workloads.

Alternative solutions:

Azure Firewall protects network traffic but does not classify or encrypt content.

Sentinel monitors security events but cannot enforce content protection.

Intune manages device compliance but cannot classify or protect data.

Benefits of MIP:

Automatic classification and protection of sensitive content.

Encryption and access controls are enforced by sensitivity labels.

Support for regulatory compliance like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO standards.

Integration with DLP policies to prevent accidental data leakage.

Alignment with Zero Trust principles by continuously enforcing protection based on data sensitivity.

Deploying MIP ensures that sensitive information is protected automatically, minimizing risk, preventing leakage, and supporting compliance efforts.

Question 114

Your organization wants to protect endpoints from ransomware, malware, and advanced threats, with automated investigation and remediation. Which solution is appropriate?

A) Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Purview
D) Microsoft Intune

Answer: A) Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Explanation

Endpoints are a primary attack vector for ransomware, malware, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Traditional antivirus solutions are insufficient for modern threats because they often rely on signatures and cannot detect sophisticated or fileless attacks.

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provides a comprehensive Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) platform. It monitors processes, network connections, files, and device behavior to detect anomalies using machine learning and behavioral analytics.

Key capabilities include:

Real-time detection of malware, ransomware, and suspicious activity.

Automated investigation, analyzing alerts to determine severity and affected assets.

Automated remediation, including isolating devices, terminating malicious processes, and restoring impacted files.

Threat hunting and intelligence integration for proactive identification of attacks.

Alternative solutions:

Azure Firewall controls network traffic but cannot protect endpoints directly.

Purview manages data governance and compliance, but not endpoint security.

Intune enforces device compliance but does not provide malware detection or automated remediation.

Benefits of Defender for Endpoint:

Comprehensive protection against malware, ransomware, and advanced threats.

Automated response reduces dwell time and operational disruption.

Behavioral analytics and threat intelligence provide proactive defense.

Cross-platform coverage, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.

Integration with SIEM and automation tools for centralized monitoring and response.

Deploying Defender for Endpoint ensures that endpoints are continuously monitored, protected, and remediated, reducing organizational risk and aligning with Zero Trust principles.

Question 115

Your company wants to monitor risky Azure AD sign-ins, such as impossible travel and unfamiliar locations, and automatically enforce MFA or password reset when risk is high. Which solution is suitable?

A) Azure AD Identity Protection
B) Microsoft Intune
C) Azure Firewall
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Azure AD Identity Protection

Explanation

User accounts are a frequent target for attackers. Compromised credentials can provide unauthorized access to sensitive applications and data, making it essential to detect and respond to risky sign-ins automatically.

Azure AD Identity Protection evaluates user and sign-in risk using signals like:

Impossible travel, detecting logins from geographically distant locations.

Sign-ins from unfamiliar devices or IPs, indicating possible compromise.

Leaked credentials, showing passwords exposed in data breaches.

Identity Protection calculates risk scores for users and sign-ins, which can trigger automatic actions such as enforcing MFA, password reset, or account blocking. Integration with Conditional Access allows risk-based policies to enforce access dynamically based on context, enhancing security while minimizing user disruption.

Alternative solutions:

Intune manages device compliance but cannot evaluate sign-in risk.

Azure Firewall protects network traffic but does not monitor identity events.

Purview focuses on data governance and classification, not identity risk.

Benefits include:

Real-time detection of risky sign-ins.

Automated remediation rreducesmanual workload.

Granular risk scoring per user and per sign-in.

Audit logs for compliance and regulatory reporting.

Zero Trust alignment, continuously verifying identity before granting access.

Deploying Azure AD Identity Protection enables organizations to mitigate account compromise proactively, protecting resources and reducing risk across hybrid and cloud environments.

Question 116

Your organization wants to protect sensitive information across Microsoft 365 apps by automatically applying sensitivity labels, enforcing encryption, and restricting sharing. Which solution should you deploy?

A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Sentinel
D) Microsoft Intune

Answer: A) Microsoft Information Protection (MIP)

Explanation

Protecting sensitive data in collaboration platforms like SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams is critical to prevent data breaches and ensure compliance. Data-centric security allows organizations to classify, protect, and monitor content wherever it resides.

Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) enables administrators to define sensitivity labels such as Confidential, Highly Confidential, or Public. Labels can be applied automatically based on content inspection, manually by users, or by machine learning classifiers. Once a label is applied, it enforces encryption, access restrictions, and rights management. For example, documents labeled Highly Confidential may be encrypted, restricted to internal users, and prevented from being forwarded externally.

MIP integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 applications, ensuring consistent enforcement across Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange. It also supports hybrid environments, allowing protection for data stored on-premises.

Alternative options:

Azure Firewall secures network traffic but cannot classify or encrypt content.

Microsoft Sentinel monitors security events but does not enforce content protection.

Intune manages devices and compliance b,ut does not classify or protect data.

Benefits of MIP:

Automatic classification and protection of sensitive content.

Encryption and access control based on sensitivity labels.

Regulatory compliance support for GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO standards.

Integration with DLP policies to prevent accidental leakage.

Zero Trust alignment, continuously protecting data based on sensitivity.

Deploying MIP ensures sensitive information is automatically protected, reducing the risk of data breaches while supporting compliance and Zero Trust security principles.

Question 117

Your organization wants to detect lateral movement and privilege escalation within hybrid Active Directory environments. Which solution provides this capability?

A) Microsoft Defender for Identity
B) Azure Firewall
C) Microsoft Intune
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Microsoft Defender for Identity

Explanation

Lateral movement and privilege escalation are tactics used by attackers to expand control after initial compromise. Detecting these activities in hybrid AD environments (on-premises + Azure AD) is critical to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

Microsoft Defender for Identity monitors authentication requests, LDAP queries, Kerberos tickets, and changes to privileged groups. Using behavioral analytics and machine learning, it establishes a baseline of normal activity and flags suspicious behavior, such as unusual logins, privilege escalation attempts, or abnormal replication requests.

Defender for Identity provides detailed alerting, showing affected accounts, devices, and potential attack paths. Alerts can be integrated with Microsoft Sentinel for centralized correlation with endpoint and cloud security events, supporting proactive investigation and remediation.

Alternative options:

Azure Firewall controls network traffic but cannot detect identity-based attacks.

Intune manages device compliance but does not monitor user behavior.

Purview provides data governance, but cannot detect security threats in AD.

Benefits of Defender for Identity:

Real-time detection of lateral movement and privilege escalation.

Behavioral analytics to identify anomalies and potential threats.

Centralized alerting and investigation through integration with SIEM tools.

Detailed context for compromised accounts and devices.

Zero Trust alignment, continuously monitoring identities for suspicious activity.

Defender for Identity enables organizations to proactively detect attacks, investigate threats, and mitigate risks in hybrid identity environments.

Question 118

Your company wants to enforce device compliance before allowing access to Microsoft 365 applications. Devices must meet criteria such as OS version, encryption, and antivirus status. Which solution combination supports this?

A) Microsoft Intune + Azure AD Conditional Access
B) Azure Firewall + Network Security Groups
C) Microsoft Purview + Microsoft Sentinel
D) Azure Key Vault + Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Answer: A) Microsoft Intune + Azure AD Conditional Access

Explanation

Device compliance is essential for Zero Trust security, ensuring that only trusted devices can access corporate resources. Non-compliant devices are a vector for malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.

Microsoft Intune allows administrators to define device compliance policies, such as minimum OS version, encryption requirements, antivirus status, and configuration baselines. Devices that do not meet these standards are flagged as non-compliant.

Azure AD Conditional Access enforces policies based on compliance state. For instance, access to Microsoft 365 apps can be blocked for non-compliant devices, or users may be required to remediate issues before access is granted. Conditional Access integrates compliance with risk-based authentication, including MFA enforcement for high-risk scenarios.

Alternative solutions are insufficient:

Azure Firewall + NSGs control network traffic, but cannot enforce device compliance.

Purview + Sentinel manage data and monitorin,g but do not enforce device access policies.

Azure Key Vault + Defender for Endpointprotectst secrets and endpoin,ts bdoes do not enforce access based on compliance.

Benefits of Intune + Conditional Access:

Verification of device compliance before granting access.

Automated remediation prompts for non-compliant devices.

Integration with Conditional Access for contextual access decisions.

Audit logs to support regulatory reporting.

Zero Trust alignment, continuously verifying device health before access.

This combination ensures only secure, compliant devices access corporate resources, reducing security risks and strengthening organizational security posture.

Question 119

Your organization wants to monitor and respond to security incidents across identities, endpoints, and cloud workloads from a centralized platform, with automated playbooks. Which solution should you deploy?

A) Microsoft Sentinel
B) Microsoft Intune
C) Azure Firewall
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Microsoft Sentinel

Explanation

Modern threats are multi-domain, affecting identities, endpoints, and cloud workloads. Organizations require a centralized platform to correlate events, detect incidents, and automate responses efficiently.

Microsoft Sentinel is a cloud-native SIEM and SOAR solution that aggregates logs from multiple sources, including Azure AD, Microsoft 365, Defender for Endpoint, and Defender for Cloud. It uses AI-driven analytics to correlate events and reduce false positives, enabling faster detection of multi-stage attacks.

Automated playbooks allow Sentinel to respond to incidents by isolating devices, disabling accounts, notifying admins, or initiating remediation workflows. Integration with threat intelligence feeds enriches alerts with known Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), supporting proactive threat hunting.

Alternative solutions:

Intune manages devices but cannot correlate multi-domain security events.

Azure Firewall controls network traffic but does not detect or respond to incidents across multiple domains.

Purview monitors data but cannot manage security incidents.

Benefits of Sentinel:

Centralized monitoring of identities, endpoints, and cloud workloads.

Automated response reduces mean time to remediation (MTTR).

Threat intelligence integration for proactive defense.

Event correlation to detect complex attacks.

Scalable, cloud-native architecture for hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

Sentinel enables organizations to detect, analyze, and respond to threats efficiently, supporting a proactive, intelligence-driven security operations model.

Question 120

Your organization wants to detect insider threats, including compromised accounts and unusual activity in Active Directory and Azure AD. Which solution should you implement?

A) Microsoft Defender for Identity
B) Azure Key Vault
C) Microsoft Intune
D) Microsoft Purview

Answer: A) Microsoft Defender for Identity

Explanation

Insider threats, whether malicious or accidental, are a critical risk because they originate from trusted accounts with legitimate access. Detecting these threats requires behavioral analytics across identity systems.

Microsoft Defender for Identity monitors hybrid Active Directory environments, analyzing authentication requests, group modifications, and Kerberos activities. It identifies suspicious behavior, such as unusual login locations, lateral movement attempts, or privilege escalation, and triggers alerts for investigation.

Microsoft Defender for Identity is a cloud-based security solution designed to detect, investigate, and respond to identity-related threats within an organization. It continuously monitors user activities and authentication events in real time, focusing on accounts, privileged users, and domain controllers. By analyzing these events, Defender for Identity can identify suspicious behaviors such as lateral movement, pass-the-hash attacks, reconnaissance attempts, and compromised credentials. These capabilities enable security teams to proactively protect critical systems and prevent attacks from escalating.

The integration of Defender for Identity with Microsoft Sentinel enhances the organization’s security posture by centralizing the correlation of identity events with signals from endpoints, network traffic, and cloud resources. Microsoft Sentinel acts as a cloud-native Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platform, aggregating security telemetry from across the enterprise. By ingesting identity alerts from Defender for Identity, Sentinel allows security analysts to correlate these alerts with other security signals, such as anomalous device activity, unusual sign-ins, or network traffic anomalies. This provides a holistic view of potential threats and enables rapid detection of sophisticated attack patterns that may otherwise go unnoticed.

With this integration, organizations gain enhanced investigative capabilities. For example, when Sentinel receives an alert indicating unusual administrative activity from Defender for Identity, it can automatically cross-reference this with endpoint logs, cloud service logs, or firewall events. Analysts can visualize the entire attack chain, from initial account compromise to potential lateral movement across systems, allowing for faster and more accurate incident response. Automated workflows and playbooks in Sentinel can further streamline remediation, such as disabling compromised accounts, forcing password resets, or isolating affected devices.

This proactive approach to identity security is critical because compromised accounts are often the entry point for advanced persistent threats. By detecting early signs of compromise and correlating identity events with other organizational signals, Defender for Identity and Sentinel together reduce the risk of data breaches, credential misuse, and unauthorized access. Organizations can also maintain compliance with regulatory standards by demonstrating continuous monitoring, detection, and response to identity threats.

In conclusion, the integration of Microsoft Defender for Identity with Microsoft Sentinel provides a powerful, centralized platform for monitoring, investigating, and responding to identity-related security threats. It allows security teams to proactively investigate compromised accounts, correlate signals across multiple systems, and mitigate potential attacks before they escalate, ensuring a stronger and more resilient security posture.

Alternative solutions:

Azure Key Vault secures secrets but does not monitor user behavior.

Intune manages device compliance, but cannot detect insider threats.

Purview focuses on data governance and compliance, not identity security.

Benefits of Defender for Identity:

Real-time detection of risky behaviors and insider threats.

Behavioral analytics to identify deviations from normal activity.

Detailed alerts and context for effective investigation.

Integration with SIEM for centralized monitoring.

Zero Trust alignment, continuously monitoring identities for anomalies.

Deploying Defender for Identity ensures organizations can detect insider threats proactively, mitigate potential damage, and maintain compliance with regulatory frameworks.