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They are used to store data that you can correlate with alerts and events in your environment. This tool can significantly enhance the capabilities of a Security Operations Analyst preparing for or have passed the SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst exam to monitor threats and take appropriate actions.
To get started with watchlists in Microsoft Sentinel, the first step is to construct your watchlist. Here’s how to manage that process:
Once your watchlist is set up, it’s ready to be used for correlating with other security data.
Here’s how an analyst can use watchlists in practice:
Integration with Azure Sentinel analytics rules further enhances the use of watchlists, where you can create custom rules that trigger alerts when conditions are met involving data found in your watchlists.
Here are a few practical examples of how a watchlist can be beneficial for a Security Operations Analyst:
Example 1: Indicators of Compromise (IoC)
You can maintain a watchlist of known IoCs such as file hashes, IP addresses, or domain names. When any log or telemetry data matches an entry in this list, it can generate an alert for further investigation.
Example 2: Previous Incidents Review
If your organization has a history of specific security events or incidents, these can be documented in a watchlist. Future alerts can then be compared against this list to identify patterns or recurring incidents.
Example 3: Sensitive Accounts Monitoring
Create a watchlist with the usernames or account details of sensitive or high-profile users in your company. Monitor logs for any unusual access patterns involving these accounts.
To make the most out of watchlists, adhere to the following best practices:
Watchlists can be a powerful aid in the realm of security operations. By understanding how to create and use them effectively, Security Operations Analysts can enhance their monitoring and alerting processes. The integration of watchlists with Microsoft’s security tools enables analysts to quickly respond to potential threats, ensure compliance, and maintain a strong security posture in their organization.
True
Watchlists are a feature in Microsoft’s security solutions that allow analysts to store and monitor data such as IP addresses, user information, and other indicators for more focused analysis.
False
Data in a watchlist can be updated or removed as needed. Watchlists are designed to be dynamic tools that can adapt to the changing security landscape.
A, B, C
Watchlists can include various types of indicators, such as IP addresses, file hashes, and user accounts, providing analysts with a way to track and monitor these elements. Security alerts, however, are not included in watchlists, as they are outputs of security monitoring systems.
False
Watchlists are used for monitoring and analysis, not for automated blocking. They support security operations analysts by providing additional context, rather than acting as a firewall or other blocking mechanism.
D
In Microsoft Sentinel, watchlists are created and managed directly within the platform, not in Azure Active Directory, Microsoft 365 security center, or Microsoft Defender Security Center.
True
Watchlists can be leveraged to add additional context to alerts, helping analysts make more informed decisions by correlating current incidents with watchlisted entities that may be related to them.
A
The maximum file size for a watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel is 25 MB, ensuring that the platform can process the data efficiently without overwhelming system resources.
False
Microsoft Sentinel’s watchlists are not designed for real-time ingestion; instead, they are populated through file uploads, such as CSV files.
D
Watchlists can be updated manually by the user as required. There is no set schedule, allowing for flexibility based on when new data becomes available or changes need to be made.
True
To manage watchlists in Microsoft Sentinel, you need to have the appropriate permissions, such as being assigned a role that provides access to manage watchlists and data sources.
B
The primary purpose of using watchlists in security operations is to monitor and track indicators of compromise or other security-related data points to enhance the analysis and investigation process.
False
Watchlists are specific to the tenant in which they are created in Microsoft Sentinel and cannot be directly shared across different tenants. Each tenant would need to create its own watchlists.
A watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel is a list of items that you want to monitor for potential security threats or risks.
You can include various items in a watchlist, such as IP addresses, domain names, email addresses, file hashes, and usernames.
You can create a watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel by using the Watchlist feature in the Navigation menu, and then selecting the “New watchlist” option.
There are three types of watchlists that you can create in Microsoft Sentinel, namely Static watchlist, Dynamic watchlist, and Custom watchlist.
A static watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel is a list of items that you manually add and remove from the watchlist, and the list remains unchanged until you modify it.
A dynamic watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel is a list of items that are added to or removed from the watchlist automatically based on a defined search query or alert rule.
A custom watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel is a watchlist that you import from a file, such as a CSV file, or an API call.
You can manage a watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel by using the Watchlist feature in the Navigation menu, and then selecting the watchlist that you want to modify.
You can perform various actions on a watchlist in Microsoft Sentinel, such as adding or removing items, modifying the name or description, and enabling or disabling the watchlist.
You can use watchlists in Microsoft Sentinel to monitor network activity, detect potential security threats, and generate alerts or incidents based on the items in the watchlist.
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