Security Professionals: Explore 4 New Microsoft Security Certifications

Although there were already a couple certifications, Microsoft launched four new security certifications that fill in several holes that weren’t covered in the company’s existing certifications. These four new certifications are more in-depth than the previous ones and have a sharper focus on security details.

The four new Microsoft security certifications:

SC-900 Microsoft Certified Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst

SC-300 Microsoft Certified Identity and Access Administrator

SC-400 Microsoft Certified Information Protection Administrator

Are you trying to figure out which certification(s) to pursue? Whether you’re new to cybersecurity or you’re an experienced IT pro, here’s what you need to know about each of these certifications to make your choice.

1. Microsoft Certified Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)

This security certification demonstrates basic knowledge of security, compliance, and identity, access management solutions, Microsoft security solutions, and Microsoft compliance solutions.

Who should pursue this certification: Students and business users

The SC-900 is an entry-level security certification that would be useful for anyone who will be using Azure or Microsoft 365. This includes students just starting out in their cybersecurity career and business professionals who need to use Microsoft applications as part of their job.

This certification is also ideal for:

• Sales and management personnel who need an overview of this technology
• Microsoft cloud universe beginners who need to become familiar with Microsoft 365 and Azure security and compliance
• Microsoft 365 administrators who need to learn more about Azure security features
• Azure administrators who need to learn more about Microsoft 365 security features
• Delegates who hold the MS-900 or AZ-900 certification

Here’s what Microsoft says about the ideal SC-900 candidate:

“This is a broad audience that may include business stakeholders, new or existing IT professionals, or students who have an interest in Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions.”

“Candidates should be familiar with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 and want to understand how Microsoft security, compliance, and identity solutions can span across these solution areas to provide a holistic and end-to-end solution.”

New to cybersecurity? Take the SC-900 exam

The SC-900 exam is ideal for anyone just getting started in their cybersecurity career. Getting this certification will help you get familiar with the fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity in the cloud and specifically in Microsoft environments.

Once you hold this certification, you’ll have an easier time pursuing associate-level certifications for other Microsoft applications. You can advance your career, gain more security knowledge and experience, or stick with this certification only.

Take the SC-900 prep course with Readynez

Before you can get certified, you’ll need to take a prep course to learn all of the material that will be on the exam. We offer instructor-led SC-900 prep courses both in-person and online with varying start times throughout the year. Sign up today and get started on the path to earning your Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals certification.

2. Microsoft Security Operations Analyst (SC-200)

This certification demonstrates the ability to mitigate security threats using Microsoft 365 Defender, Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft Sentinel.

Who should pursue this certification: Experienced security professionals

The SC-200 certification is ideal for:

• Experienced Microsoft 365 and Azure administrators who want to learn Sentinel and advanced security operations
• Experienced security architects
• Experienced incident responders and security analysts from any SIEM solution

Here’s what Microsoft says about the ideal SC-200 candidate:

“The Microsoft security operations analyst collaborates with organizational stakeholders to secure information technology systems for the organization. Their goal is to reduce organizational risk by rapidly remediating active attacks in the environment, advising on improvements to threat protection practices, and referring violations of organizational policies to appropriate stakeholders.”

Take the SC-200 prep course with Readynez

Before you can get certified, you’ll need to take a prep course to learn all of the material that will be on the exam. We offer instructor-led SC-200 prep courses both in-person and online with varying start times throughout the year. Sign up today and get started on the path to earning your Microsoft Security Operations Analyst certification.

3. Microsoft Certified Identity and Access Administrator (SC-300)

This certification demonstrates the ability to implement the following solutions:

• Identity management
• Authentication and access management
• Access management for apps
• Identity governance strategy

Who should pursue this certification: Experienced security professionals?

The SC-300 certification is ideal for:

• Experienced Microsoft 365 and Azure administrators who want to learn the latest in Azure AD Connect along with learning new features for securing identities and apps
• Administrators who need to implement identity synchronization with on-premise active directory
• Administrators who need to audit and provide compliance for identities in Azure AD
• Delegates who hold an MS-100 or MS-101 certification

Here’s what Microsoft says about the ideal SC-300 candidate:

“The Microsoft identity and access administrator designs, implements, and operates an organization’s identity and access management systems by using Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). They manage tasks such as providing secure authentication and authorization access to enterprise applications. The administrator provides seamless experiences and self-service management capabilities for all users. Adaptive access and governance are core elements to the role. This role is also responsible for troubleshooting, monitoring, and reporting for the identity and access environment.”

Take the SC-300 prep course with Readynez

Before you can get certified, you’ll need to take a prep course to learn all of the material that will be on the exam. We offer instructor-led SC-300 prep courses both in-person and online with varying start times throughout the year.

Sign up today and get started on the path to earning your Microsoft Security Operations Analyst certification.

4. Microsoft Certified Information Protection Administrator (SC-400)

This certification demonstrates the ability to implement the following solutions:

• Information protection
• Data loss prevention
• Information governance

Who should pursue this certification: Experienced security professionals?

The SC-400 certification is ideal for:

• Experienced Microsoft 365 and Azure administrators who want to learn about the latest security and compliance tools
• Administrators responsible for archiving and compliances tools
• Microsoft 365 auditors and security administrators
• Delegates who hold an MS-500 or MS-101 certification

Here’s what Microsoft says about the ideal SC-400 candidate:

“They work with information technology (IT) personnel, business application owners, human resources, and legal stakeholders to implement technology that supports policies and controls necessary to sufficiently address regulatory requirements for their organization. They also work with the compliance and security leadership, such as a chief compliance officer and security officer, to evaluate the full breadth of associated enterprise risk and partner to develop those policies.”

“This person defines applicable requirements and tests IT processes and operations against those policies and controls. They are responsible for creating policies and rules for content classification, data loss prevention, governance, and protection.”

Take the SC-400 prep course with Readynez

Before you can get certified, you’ll need to take a prep course to learn all of the material that will be on the exam. We offer instructor-led SC-400 prep courses both in-person and online with varying start times throughout the year. Sign up today and get started on the path to earning your Microsoft Security Operations Analyst certification.

Advance your cybersecurity career with a new Microsoft security certification

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, start pursuing your ideal Microsoft security certification. To recap, there are four new certifications available from Microsoft:

SC-900 Microsoft Certified Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst

SC-300 Microsoft Certified Identity and Access Administrator

SC-400 Microsoft Certified Information Protection Administrator

Each certification has different requirements, but the SC-900 is the only one available as an entry-level credential.

Prepare for your exam with Readynez

Since these exams are rigorous, you’ll want to take a prep course before sitting for the exam so you can learn all of the material from an expert.

SC-900 Prep Course: Microsoft Certified Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

SC-200 Prep Course: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst

SC-300 Prep Course: Microsoft Certified Identity and Access Administrator

SC-400 Prep Course: Microsoft Certified Information Protection Administrator

If you’re ready to get certified, sign up for the appropriate instructor-led prep course and get started on advancing your career.