SC-401 Administering Information Security in Microsoft 365 Questions and Answers

Forensic evidence in Microsoft Purview Insider Risk Management allows capturing screenshots/clips of user activity on endpoints.

Requirements for forensic evidence capture:

The device must be onboarded to Microsoft Purview (via Defender for Endpoint).

The Microsoft Purview client must be installed.

Supported platforms: Windows 10 and Windows 11 (macOS is not supported for forensic evidence).

Now check each device:

Device1 (Windows 11) → Client installed, but not onboarded → ❌ Not eligible.

Device2 (Windows 10) → Onboarded and client installed → ✅ Eligible.

Device3 (macOS) → Onboarded, but client not installed and macOS is not supported → ❌ Not eligible.

Therefore, only Device2 qualifies.

Goal: maximize signin security for users who will test the AIP client (User1), install/configure the Microsoft Rights Management connector (User2), and act as the AIP scanner service account (User3).

Excluding users from MFA lowers security and is not recommended.

Passwordless with FIDO2 security keys (passkeys) provides strong phishingresistant authentication and is fully supported for Azure AD signins, including admin tasks and service scenarios that require interactive signin during setup.

Therefore, enabling all three for FIDO2 passkey authentication best meets the “maximize security” requirement.

Step 1 – Requirement analysis

You need to prevent users from:

Pasting credit card numbers into ChatGPT/Google Gemini.

Uploading classified documents into ChatGPT/Google Gemini.

Both scenarios involve AI websites. Microsoft Purview provides Data Security Posture Management for AI and Endpoint DLP integrations that work through Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Insider Risk Management policies.

Step 2 – Credit card numbers

Credit card numbers are structured sensitive information types (SITs).

DLP policies are the correct Microsoft Purview solution for detecting and blocking sensitive info (e.g., credit card, SSN, health ID) from being copied, pasted, or uploaded into restricted destinations like AI apps.

Therefore, Data Loss Prevention is the right choice.

???? Reference: Learn about Endpoint DLP and AI sites

Step 3 – Documents

Documents containing classified or labeled data (via sensitivity labels) fall under insider risk activity detection when exfiltrated.

Insider Risk Management policies can monitor and block uploads of classified/labeled files to AI services such as ChatGPT or Gemini.

Therefore, Insider Risk Management is the right choice for preventing document uploads.

???? Reference: Insider Risk Management – risky AI activity detection

The goal is to automatically label documents in Site1 that contain credit card numbers. To achieve this, we need a sensitivity label with an auto-labeling policy based on a sensitive info type that detects credit card numbers.

Step 1: Create a Sensitive Info Type

● A sensitive info type is needed to detect credit card numbers in documents.

● Microsoft Purview includes built-in sensitive info types for credit card numbers, but we can also create a custom one if necessary.

Step 2: Create a Sensitivity Label

● A sensitivity label is required to classify and protect documents containing sensitive information.

● This label can apply encryption, watermarking, or access controls to credit card data.

Step 3: Create an Auto-Labeling Policy

● An auto-labeling policy ensures that the sensitivity label is applied automatically when credit card numbers are detected in Site1.

● This policy is configured to scan files and automatically apply the correct sensitivity label.

Understanding DLP Policy Impact on File Access

The DLP policy (DLPpolicy1) applies to Site2 and restricts access when:

● Content contains SWIFT Codes.

● Instance count is 2 or more.

File Analysis (Based on SWIFT Codes Count)

Files that remain accessible (not restricted by DLP):

● File1.docx (Contains only 1 SWIFT Code → Below restriction threshold)

User access after DLP policy is applied:

User1 (Site Owner):

● Has higher privileges and can override DLP restrictions (through admin intervention).

● Can access 2 files (File1.docx + override access to another file).

User2 (Site Visitor):

● Has read-only access but DLP blocks access to restricted files.

● Can only access 1 file (File1.docx), since all others are restricted.

The requirement states that all Microsoft 365 data for users must be retained for at least one year. In Microsoft 365, retention policies must be configured for each type of data storage.

Step 1: Identifying Where Data is Stored

From the case study, users store data in the following locations:

● SharePoint Online sites

● OneDrive accounts

● Exchange email

● Exchange public folders

● Teams chats

● Teams channel messages

Since these locations fall under two broad categories:

● Microsoft Exchange data (Emails, Public folders)

● SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams data

Step 2: Required Retention Policies

1️. A single retention policy can cover:

● SharePoint Online

● OneDrive

● Microsoft Teams

2. A second retention policy is required for:

● Exchange (Emails & Public Folders)

Thus, the minimum number of retention policies required to meet the requirement is 2.

Microsoft 365 retention policies can be applied broadly across multiple services with just two policies:

● One for Exchange & Public Folders

● One for SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams

There ' s no need for separate policies for each individual workload unless different retention durations are required, which is not stated in the requirement.

To detect and protect confidential documents, we need a custom rule to identify project codes that start with 999 (since they are classified as confidential).

Box 1: A Sensitive Info Type (SIT) allows Microsoft Purview DLP policies to recognize structured data (e.g., project codes). DLP policies require a sensitive info type to detect content based on patterns, keywords, or dictionary terms. A sensitivity label alone does not define detection logic—it is used for classification and protection after content is identified.

Box 2: Since project codes follow a structured 10-digit pattern, we should use a Regular Expression (Regex) to match project codes that start with 999.

Example Regex pattern:

999\d{7}

This pattern detects a 10-digit number starting with " 999 " .

Understanding Site4 ' s Retention Policies:

● Site4RetentionPolicy1 deletes items older than 2 years from creation. If a file was created on January 1, 2021, it would be deleted after January 1, 2023.

● Site4RetentionPolicy2 retains files for 4 years from creation. If a file was created on January 1, 2021, it will be kept until January 1, 2025, but not deleted after that (policy states " Do nothing " ).

Statement 1 - Yes, because Site4RetentionPolicy2 ensures files are retained for 4 years.

Statement 2 - Yes, because Site4RetentionPolicy2 retains the file for 4 years (until January 1, 2025).

Statement 3 - No, because retention is only for 4 years (until January 1, 2025). After that, the policy does " nothing, " meaning the file is no longer recoverable after that period.

To meet the requirement that all administrative users must be able to create Microsoft 365 sensitivity labels, we need to assign the Sensitivity Label Administrator role to the correct users.

Sensitivity Label Administrator Role Responsibilities

This role allows users to:

● Create and manage sensitivity labels in Microsoft Purview.

● Publish and configure auto-labeling policies.

● Modify label encryption and content marking settings.

Review of Admin Roles from the Table:

Users that must be assigned the Sensitivity Label Administrator role:

● Admin2 (Compliance Data Administrator)

● Admin3 (Compliance Administrator)

● Admin1 (Global Reader) (should be assigned this role to fulfill the requirement that all admins can create labels).

The Service domains setting in Microsoft 365 Endpoint Data Loss Prevention (Endpoint DLP) allows administrators to block or allow specific domains for file uploads. The goal is to prevent users from uploading DLP-protected documents to web1.contoso.com and web2.contoso.com.

Setting the Service domains to " web1.contoso.com and web2.contoso.com " precisely targets the two specific third-party websites, minimizing administrative effort while ensuring strict control.

To create a document fingerprint in Microsoft 365 Data Loss Prevention (DLP), you need to use PowerShell for Microsoft Purview. The correct cmdlet to connect to the Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance Center (where DLP policies are managed) is Connect-IPPSSession . This cmdlet establishes a PowerShell session to manage DLP policies, compliance settings, and document fingerprinting.

The question asks about creating a Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (MCAS / MDA) policy that will detect Data Loss Prevention (DLP) violations.

Understanding the policy types in Defender for Cloud Apps:

File Policy

Used for monitoring and controlling files stored in cloud apps (e.g., SharePoint, OneDrive, Box, Google Drive).

Can detect sensitive information types (like credit cards, SSNs, SWIFT codes) and flag DLP violations.

Can apply governance actions (e.g., quarantine, remove sharing, notify user).

Correct for DLP violation detection.

Activity Policy

Monitors user activities (e.g., login attempts, mass downloads, suspicious behavior).

Not for file content DLP.

Session Policy

Applied through Conditional Access App Control for real-time monitoring/control during a user session.

Used for controlling actions (download, cut/paste) but not for broad DLP scanning of stored files.

Access Policy

Controls access to apps based on conditions (e.g., unmanaged device access).

Not designed for DLP content inspection.

Why File Policy is correct

Since the requirement is:

" detect DLP violations "

That means scanning file content for sensitive information. This is only possible with a File Policy in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.

Marking Tailspin_scanner.exe as " Unsanctioned " in Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps only blocks its usage in cloud-based activities (such as accessing SharePoint, OneDrive, or Exchange Online). However, it does not prevent a locally installed application on Windows 11 devices from accessing sensitive files.

To block Tailspin_scanner.exe from accessing sensitive documents while allowing it to access other files, the correct solution is to use Microsoft Purview Endpoint Data Loss Prevention (Endpoint DLP) and add Tailspin_scanner.exe to the Restricted Apps list.

Endpoint DLP allows you to block specific applications from accessing sensitive files while keeping general access available. Restricted Apps List in Endpoint DLP ensures that Tailspin_scanner.exe cannot open, copy, or process protected documents, but it can still function normally for non-sensitive content.

The requirement is:

You need to provide a user with the ability to view DLP alerts in the Microsoft Purview portal. The solution must use the principle of least privilege.

Step 1 – Understanding the roles

Compliance Administrator → Full access to compliance features, including creating/editing policies. This is more than needed (not least privilege).

Compliance Data Administrator → Can manage compliance features and data governance, but still more permissions than required.

Security Operator → Can view and respond to active security incidents and alerts, which is more than just viewing DLP alerts.

Security Reader → Read-only access to security-related features, including viewing DLP alerts, Microsoft Purview alerts, incidents, reports, and recommendations. This matches the requirement precisely.

Step 2 – Microsoft Documentation

Microsoft Learn states:

Security Reader role:

“Can view and investigate security events, reports, and alerts without the ability to make changes.”

???? Reference: Microsoft Entra built-in roles - Security Reader

Step 3 – Apply the principle of least privilege

Since the user only needs to view DLP alerts (not create or manage policies), the Security Reader role is the minimal role with sufficient permissions.

Trainable classifiers in Microsoft Purview require a source of documents that can be labeled as examples of what the classifier should recognize. Supported sources include SharePoint Online and Exchange Online mailboxes. On-premises SharePoint Server sites, Azure File shares, and NFS file shares are not supported for classifier training.

In Defender for Cloud Apps file policies, Access level is the filter used to detect how a file is exposed (e.g., Public on the internet, External, Internal, Private). Choosing Access level = External matches files that are shared with users outside your organization—exactly the “shared externally” condition.

Ref: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps – Create/Use file policies (File filters: Access level), Microsoft Learn.

See: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps > Policies > File policies documentation describing file filters including Access level and its values (Public, External, Internal, Private).

To target files that carry an MIP/AIP classification such as Internal Only, you use the Sensitivity label file filter. Defender for Cloud Apps ingests Microsoft Purview Information Protection labels and lets you build file policies that trigger when a specific label is applied.

Ref: Integrate Microsoft Information Protection with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and File policies – Sensitivity label filter, Microsoft Learn.

These docs explain that MCAS can filter and govern files by Sensitivity label and apply governance based on labels such as Internal Only, Confidential, etc.

Why not the other options?

Collaborators filters by specific users/domains; it’s useful to find files shared with a particular external user but not for the generic “shared externally” condition.

Matched policy is for files already flagged by another policy/DLP engine and does not detect “Internal Only” labeling by itself.

User1 can delete File1 on March 10, 2023.

No - File1 has Retention1 applied, which retains it for 4 years with a " Retain only " action. This means it cannot be deleted during the retention period, which ends on March 1, 2027.

User2 can delete File1 on March 10, 2027.

No - User2 is a Member and does not have the Owner role, which is required to delete files under retention policies during the retention period. Additionally, the " Retain only " action prevents deletion until the retention period ends on March 1, 2027.

User2 can edit File2 on March 15, 2025.

No - File2 has Retention2 applied, which retains it for 2 years with a " Retain and delete " action. This means the file is protected from edits or deletions during the retention period, which ends on March 1, 2025. Since March 15, 2025, is after the retention period, the file would be eligible for deletion, but the question specifies editing, which is restricted during the retention period.

Step 1 – Summarization in Copilot

For Microsoft 365 Copilot to summarize a file:

The user needs at least View permission.

Summarization does not require editing, copying, or ownership rights.

Looking at the exhibit:

User1 (Co-Owner) → has full access including view.

User2 (Co-Author) → has edit and view.

User3 (Reviewer) → has read-only rights.

User4 (Viewer) → has read rights.

All four users can view the document. Therefore, Copilot can summarize File1 for User1, User2, User3, and User4.

Step 2 – Referencing a file by link in Copilot

For Copilot to reference a file by link (i.e., cite or share within generated content):

The user must have rights that include resharing or exporting.

Only the Co-Owner has full rights to manage access and allow referencing by link.

From the exhibit:

User1 (Co-Owner) → Can reference by link.

User2 (Co-Author), User3 (Reviewer), User4 (Viewer) → Do not have reshare or link rights.

So, only User1 can reference File1 by link.

To ensure that Microsoft Purview Insider Risk Management can detect file deletions, USB copies, and print actions on sensitive information, you must onboard the Windows 11 devices to Microsoft Purview.

Device onboarding enables endpoint activity monitoring, allowing Purview to track and log user activities such as file deletions, USB transfers, and printing of sensitive files. Once onboarded, the Insider Risk Management policy can analyze these activities and generate risk alerts when sensitive information types (SITs) are involved.

Comprehensive Detailed Explanation with References

We are given a sensitivity label with the following Access control settings:

Assign permissions now → meaning admins define permissions, not end users.

User access to content expires = Never.

Allow offline access = Always.

Permissions explicitly assigned:

LegalTeam@… → Co-Author

USSales@… → Reviewer

Dynamic watermarking and Double Key Encryption are not enabled.

Step 1 – Where to configure Insider Risk Management notices

Insider risk management notices are part of the Microsoft Purview Insider Risk Management solution.

They are created and managed within the Microsoft Purview compliance portal.

The Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft Defender portal, or Microsoft Entra admin center are not used for notice templates.

Therefore, the correct choice for the portal is: Microsoft Purview portal.

Step 2 – Supported formats for notice templates

When creating an Insider Risk Management notice template, Microsoft Purview allows customization of the message body in HTML format.

HTML provides rich text formatting (fonts, colors, links, branding).

Markdown, RTF, and XML are not supported options for Purview notice templates.

Therefore, the correct format is: HTML.

Step 3 – Microsoft Reference

Microsoft documentation states:

“Notice templates are created and managed in the Microsoft Purview compliance portal. The body of the notice message is authored in HTML format to allow for full customization.”

To create a trainable classifier that can be used in an auto-apply retention label policy, you need to follow these key steps:

1. Create the trainable classifier

This is the first step where you define the classifier, specifying the types of content it should identify.

2. Test the trainable classifier

Before using the classifier in production, you need to validate its accuracy by testing it against sample documents to ensure it correctly classifies the intended data.

3. Publish the trainable classifier

Once testing is successful, you must publish the classifier so that it can be used in policies like auto-apply retention labels in Microsoft Purview.

In Microsoft Teams:

Files shared in 1:1 or group chats

These files are stored in the sender’s OneDrive for Business.

So, to protect them with DLP and prevent guest access, the relevant location is OneDrive accounts.

Files shared in Teams channels

These files are stored in the underlying SharePoint Online site associated with that Team.

So, to protect them with DLP and prevent guest access, the relevant location is SharePoint sites.

Incorrect options:

Exchange email: Protects email messages, not Teams-shared files.

Teams chat and channel messages: Protects text messages, not the attached or shared files.

To ensure User1 can perform insider risk management tasks only for the users and devices in Office1, the first step is to create an administrative unit in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).

Administrative units allow you to scope permissions to specific users, devices, and locations. By creating an administrative unit for Office1 and assigning User1 to the Insider Risk Management Admins role group within that unit, User1 will only have access to users and devices in Office1.

When configuring an advanced DLP rule in Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP), you can use a Sensitive Information Type (SIT) condition to detect and classify specific types of sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or custom sensitive data patterns. This allows you to apply protection and trigger actions based on the identified content.

You want files in Site1 that are labeled with Label1 to automatically move to Site2 two years after creation.

In Microsoft Purview Retention Labels, under “Choose what happens after the retention period”, the available options are:

Deactivate retention settings – Ends retention but does not move files.

Start a disposition review – Sends items to reviewers for approval (manual process, not auto-move).

Change the label – Applies a new retention label (but does not move files to another site).

Run a Power Automate flow – Executes an automated workflow such as moving the file to another SharePoint library or site, notifying users, or applying custom business processes.

Since the requirement is automatic movement of files from Site1 to Site2 after 2 years, the only valid choice is Run a Power Automate flow.