This blog post covers everything you need to know about the AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Technologies certification exam.
If you’re one of those who have always aspired to become a security engineer, now’s your chance! The world is embracing the cloud and so should you, this blog post is going to cover all the important exam details like course content, weightage, and many more details and updates regarding this Microsoft Azure Security certification.
In this blog, we’re going to cover:
- What is AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies?
- Exam Details AZ-500
- AZ-500 Exam Topics
- Domain wise topics in AZ500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
- Microsoft Azure Security Technologies Sample Question Types
- Exam Retake Policy
- Who Does This Certification Apply To?
AZ-500 exam requires basic knowledge of IT security principles and a moderate understanding of most Azure offerings as it stresses the candidate’s ability to analyze and fix vulnerabilities with multiple security tools on the cloud.
What is AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies?
The AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies certification exam verifies your ability to implement, manage, and monitor security for resources in Azure, multi-cloud, and hybrid settings.
It involves identity and access management, networking security, computing, storage, and database security, as well as security operations management. This certification is suitable for security engineers and professionals looking to improve their Azure security knowledge and competence.
Exam Details AZ-500:
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Certification Name | [AZ-500] Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate |
| Target Audience | Candidates who have moderate to Strong knowledge of Azure cloud and services. |
| Exam Duration | 100 minutes for the exam and 150 minutes for total duration which includes reading instructions, agreement and post exam survey. |
| Number Of Questions | 40 to 60 questions(One lab with around 12 sub-tasks) |
| Exam Cost | USD 165.00 |
| Exam Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia) |
Additionally, you should keep the following points in mind as they can improve your chances of getting certified.
- Although Microsoft doesn’t have any mandatory prerequisites for the AZ-500 exam. It is advised that you take the [AZ-900] Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam if you are starting out on your cloud career.
- Experience in security tools and a basic analytical ability to solve problems go a long way in making things easier too.
Related Readings: Cloud (Azure) Security Free class For Beginners To Get Higher Paid Jobs
How long is the certification valid after passing the AZ-500 exam?
The certification is valid for one year. Microsoft requires candidates to renew their certification annually by taking a renewal assessment online for free to stay current with the latest technologies and skills.
What types of questions are included in the AZ-500 exam?
The AZ-500 exam features various question types, such as multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop scenarios, active screen questions, case studies, and build list/reorder tasks.
What are active screen questions?
Active screen questions require candidates to interact with a graphical interface to configure settings, choose options, or provide solutions by selecting checkboxes or toggles within a simulated environment.
What are case studies, and how are they structured?
No, not all questions carry the same weight. Some questions might be worth more points, and partial credit may be awarded for multi-step questions or scenarios where several correct responses are required.
What should I do if I’m unsure about a question during the exam?
If unsure about a question, candidates can mark it for review and return to it later if time permits. This allows candidates to focus on questions they are more confident in before coming back to more challenging ones.
AZ-500 Exam Topics:
With the basic information of the AZ-500 Microsoft Azure security technologies certification exam out of the way, we can now dive into the individual domains that are covered in the SecOps exam’s scope.
The following points give a basic outline of the specific weightage of each domain so that you can work out the important topics and plan accordingly.
- 15-20% of the exam questions pertaining to the first domain which covers the Secure identity and access topics.
- The second domain covers Secure networking topics with a weightage of 20-25%.
- The following domain covers the Secure compute, storage, and databases topics and accounts for the most questions in the AZ-500 exam and has a weightage of 20-25%.
- The final domain is Secure Azure using Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel and is responsible for 30-35% of the AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security exam.
You can use the table below to get a quick idea of the AZ-500 certification exam topics.
Review the detailed exam blueprint for an in-depth look at the exam objectives.
Which exam topic focuses on managing security infrastructure and configuring network security?
The ‘Implement Platform Protection’ topic focuses on managing security infrastructure, including configuring network security groups (NSGs), Azure Firewall, and other platform protection measures.
Related Readings: Azure Firewall vs NSG: Difference Between NSG and Firewall
What is covered under the ‘Manage Identity and Access’ section?
This section includes managing Microsoft Entra ID (previously Azure AD), configuring role-based access control (RBAC), managing Azure AD identities, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), and securing identity solutions.
What is role-based access control (RBAC)?
RBAC is a security feature that helps manage user access to Azure resources. It allows for assigning specific roles to users or groups with defined permissions, ensuring only authorized access to resources.
Related Readings: Difference Between Azure RBAC, Azure Policy, and Azure Blueprints
Domain wise topics in AZ500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
Security identity and access
- Manage Security controls for identity and access
- Manage Microsoft Entra application access
Secure networking
- Plan and implement security for virtual networks
- Plan and implement security for private access to Azure resources
- Plan and implement security for public access to Azure resources
Secure compute, storage, and databases
- Plan and implement advanced security for compute
- Plan and implement security for storage
- Plan and implement security for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance
Secure Azure using Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel
- Implement & manage enforcement of cloud governance policies
- Manage security posture by using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Configure and manage threat protection by using Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Configure and manage security monitoring and automation solutions
Related Readings: Microsoft Azure Security Services | Security Center | Azure Key Vault | AIP and ATP | Sentinel
Microsoft Azure Security Technologies Sample Question Types:
Some of the types of questions that can be expected are listed below
- Single-choice scenario-based questions: These types of questions can neither be skipped nor corrected at a later stage. You cannot reattempt them once they have been answered.
- Multiple-choice questions
- Case studies with multiple questions
- Arrange in the right sequence type questions
- Single-choice questions(scenario independent)
What Does the Microsoft Azure Security Technologies Course Include?
This course caters to both beginners and experienced IT professionals aiming to solidify their understanding of securing cloud environments and preparing for the AZ-500 certification.
Detailed Topic-wise Explanation and Hands-on Labs:
The course provides an in-depth, topic-wise explanation of all critical modules involved in Azure security. Each module is covered thoroughly to ensure participants gain a complete understanding of core concepts, practical applications, and best practices. The learning experience is enhanced with hands-on labs, allowing learners to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and solidify their technical skills.
Related Readings: Microsoft Azure Security Cloud AZ-500 Step by Step Hands-on Labs
Live Sessions by Industry Experts:
In addition to the comprehensive course content, participants benefit from live sessions conducted by industry-led experts with extensive knowledge and experience in Microsoft Azure. These sessions provide valuable insights, answer participant queries, and offer up-to-date knowledge that aligns with the latest industry practices.
Course Modules:
- Secure Identity and Access
- Secure Networking
- Secure Compute, Storage, and Databases
- Secure Azure using Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel
Sample Certification Questions:
To enhance exam readiness, the course also provides sample certification questions. These questions mirror the type and format of those that appear in the AZ-500 certification exam, offering participants a clear understanding of what to expect and helping them practice effectively.
What topics are covered in the AZ-500 practice tests and video lectures?
The AZ-500 course covers these topics:
- Manage Identity and Access
- Implement Platform Protection
- Manage Security Operations
- Secure Data and Applications
Related Readings: Top 10 Best Practices for Azure Security
Exam Retake Policy
- If a candidate fails the exam on his/her’s first attempt, they have to wait for a period of 24 hours before reapplying for the exam.
- In case the candidate’s second attempt also fails they should re-access their AZ 500 training and retake the exam after a waiting period of 14 days.
- finally, a candidate has a maximum of 5 retakes allowed in a year.
Do I need to pay the full exam fee for each retake?
Yes, each retake requires payment of the full exam fee.
How many times can I retake the AZ-500 exam if I fail?
You can retake the exam up to five times within a 12-month period.
What happens if I fail the exam multiple times?
After the second failed attempt, you must wait at least 14 days before each subsequent retake.
Who Does This Certification Apply To?
- People with non-technical backgrounds who are involved in the marketing of Cloud security services and solutions.
- People with technical backgrounds who are looking to start their careers and are especially interested in the security aspect of the cloud, or those who want to validate their knowledge level around cloud security.
How do learners review on the effectiveness of the AZ-500 Course?
Learners generally find the AZ-500 course effective for building foundational knowledge in Azure security, appreciating its comprehensive content and practical labs. However, apart from learning theoretical concepts hand-on-labs are recommended for thorough preparation.
This certification exam provides a way to develop your cloud security skills and also demonstrate your skills to potential employers, hence providing you with an edge and Practical knowledge too.
Next Task For You
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