Microsoft is launching a new portfolio of security certifications! Help us launch these exams with style by taking them in beta and providing the feedback that we need to ensure they are of the highest quality. Here are the current options:

Do you collaborate with organizational stakeholders to secure information technology systems for the organization and reduce organizational risk by rapidly remediating active attacks in the environment? Do you advise on improvements to threat protection practices and refer violations of organizational policies to appropriate stakeholders? Do you investigate, respond to, and hunt for threats using Microsoft Azure Sentinel, Azure Defender, Microsoft 365 Defender, and third-party security products?  Welcome to the world of Security Operations Analyst. Learn more about this exam: SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst.

Do you design, implement, and operate an organization’s identity and access management systems by using Azure AD?  Do you manage tasks such as providing secure authentication and authorization access to enterprise applications? Do you troubleshoot, monitor, and report the identity and access environment? If so, you are the right person to be taking the new Microsoft Identity and Access exam. Learn more about the exam: SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator.

Do you plan and implement controls that meet organizational compliance needs? Do you translate requirements and compliance controls into technical implementation and assist organizational control owners to become and stay compliant?  Do you work with stakeholders to implement technology that supports policies and controls necessary to sufficiently address regulatory requirements for their organization? Do you define applicable requirements, test IT processes and operations against those policies and controls, and create policies and rules for content classification, data loss prevention, governance, and protection? If so, it sounds like you’re an Information Protection Administrator, and we need your help. Learn more about the exam: SC-400: Microsoft Information Protection Administrator.

Are you looking to familiarize themselves with the fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across cloud-based and related Microsoft services and demonstrate to others that you have that knowledge? Be one of the first to do just that by taking the new Microsoft Security Fundamentals exam while it’s in beta. Learn more about the exam: SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals.

To receive the 80% discount*, use the code below when prompted for payment.

SC-200

Microsoft Security Operations Analyst

SC200WATERLOO

SC-300

Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator

SC300VANDALIA

SC-400

Microsoft Information Protection Administrator

SC400EMPORIA

SC-900

Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

SC900TUPELO

This is NOT a private access code. You can use this code to register for and take the exam on or before March 15, 2021.

*The first 300 people who register can take these exams for an 80% discount! (Why beta exams are no longer free.) The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You must register for the exam on or before March 15, 2021. Take the exam as soon as possible, so we can leverage your comments, feedback, and exam data in our evaluation of the quality of the questions.

Preparing for Beta Exams

Taking a beta exam is your chance to have a voice in the questions we include on the exam when it goes live. The rescore process starts on the day that exams go live, and final scores are released approximately 10 days later. For updates on when the rescore is complete, follow me on Twitter (@libertymunson). For questions about the timing of beta exam scoring and live exam release, see the blog posts The Path from Beta Exam to Live Exam and More Tips About Beta Exams.

Remember, the number of spots is limited, so when they're gone, they're gone. You should also be aware that there are some countries where the beta code will not work (including Turkey, Pakistan, India, and China). You will not be able to take the beta exam in those countries.

Also keep in mind that these exams are in beta, which means that you will not be scored immediately. You will receive your final score and passing status after your exam is live.

Will these new certifications replace MS-500 or AZ-500 certification?No, there is currently no plan to replace those certifications. The new certifications do not replace ALL the objective­s tested on the MS-500 or AZ-500 certification exams.

I’ve been certified on the existing security certifications MS-500 “Microsoft 365 Security Administrator” or AZ-500 “Azure Security Engineer.” How are the new Security, Compliance, and Identity certifications different?

The new Security, Compliance, and Identity certifications are more focused on more discreet job roles.  For example, whereas the Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) Microsoft 365 Security Administrator Associate (MS-500) certifications are composed of about 25% Identity and Access Management objectives, the new Identity and Access Administrator certification (exam SC-300) is entirely focused on identity and access management. 

Another example – the Microsoft 365 Security Administrator Associate certification (exam MS-500) was composed of 15-20% information protection objectives, whereas the Information Protection Administrator Associate certification (exam SC-400) is entirely focused on those objectives.

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