Introducing Microsoft’s New Security Certifications
Published Mar 02 2021 06:00 AM 146K Views
Microsoft

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:

 

Exam SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst

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.

 

Exam SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator

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.

 

Exam SC-400: Microsoft Information Protection 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.

 

Exam SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

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.

 

Answers to your questions

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.

 

Related announcements
Skill up and stand out, with new role-based training and certification!
New role-based certification and training is here, and we’re just getting started!
Catching up: continuing our journey with new role-based certifications and training

 

59 Comments
Steel Contributor

Interesting.

Copper Contributor

The link for the registration doesn't work. The web page is blank.

Copper Contributor

Hi @Liberty Munson / MS,

 

I am from India.

I tried registering for exam SC-900 using the discount code above for 13th March, but it says that the code is not valid for registrations from India.

 

Could you advise if there's a different code, or is the exam not available altogether on discount for us here?

 

Thanks & Regards,

Siva

Iron Contributor

Hi Team,

Currently I only saw the slide for SC-900 for Trainer, 

When the other SC-200,SC-300,SC-400 release?

Thank you.

Microsoft

@MSiva The codes do not work in India, Pakistan, China, or Turkey. Because we have significant problems with piracy in those countries, we have chosen not to make the beta codes available there. This is noted in the blog post above.

Microsoft

@ReyLadaga If you have problems registering, please contact Certification Support at https://aka.ms/mcpforum.

Microsoft

@Eng Soon Cheah I'm not sure I understand your question. All of these exams are currently available in beta.

Copper Contributor

Hi

 

I already took first two of these and plan to take the third next week. When will I know if I passed? (After beta period ends, I know, but when should I expect a result?)

 

b.t.w. great job in building these certifications. We need to have laser focus on security functionality / possibility and knowledge around security. Thanks :)

 

br

Ken Hyld

Iron Contributor

@Liberty Munson Currently in the MCT Training Portal had release the SC-900 Trainer Slide and Microsof Learning GitHub Repo also release the SC-200,SC-300 and SC-400 Lab exercise.

May I ask about when the SC-200,SC-300,SC-400 training material release?

 

Microsoft

@Eng Soon Cheah please reach out to the MCT Forum for these types of questions.

Microsoft

@Ken Hyld Beta exams are rescored when the exams go live. The process takes about 10 business days, so you will get your score about 2 weeks after the exams go live. Thanks for the feedback.

Copper Contributor

@Liberty Munson - When do these exams go live. Any tentative dates.

Microsoft

@Munesh17 it will be the next few months. I cannot be more specific than that at this time.

Brass Contributor

Even though March 15th has passed the SC-900 exam page still says beta. Is this exam still in beta just without the promo code? If so, then when could I expect my test results? If this exam is out of beta, will I receive my exam results immediately? Please let me know. Thank you.

Microsoft

@carlarjenkins the dates in the blog post were just the end of the discounted pricing opportunity. We are analyzing the beta results and finalizing the exam for live publication; this takes about 4-6 weeks. Beta exams will be rescored about 10 business days after the exam is live. No scores are available immediately until the exam goes live. That's the definition of "live." :)

Brass Contributor

@Liberty MunsonThanks. So do not take this SC-900 exam right now since Microsoft is rescoring the beta exam results? I just want to make sure that I am following protocol and not delaying any process. If I can take it, would my result be scored like the other beta test takers just without the promo code? Please let me know. Thank you again.

Microsoft

@carlarjenkins you absolutely can take any of these exams right now, but you'll pay full price and need to wait for your score... but if you're OK with that, feel free. :) 

 

(you will be scored at the same time as any one who takes the exam before it goes live regardless of whether they used the discount code or not--you are all considered beta testers)

Copper Contributor

Hi,

 

I've took the SC-900 today and I'm curios how I did perform ;)

 

Any timely horizont when the beta will be done - and the exams are scored?

 

Did not find any info around here...

 

Thanks Björn

 

 

Microsoft

@bjoernhoefer as I noted earlier in the comments, betas are rescored 10 days after the exam goes live. I cannot be more specific than that at this time, but it will be in the next month or so.

Brass Contributor

The SC-900 Your Acclaim badge is out. Does this mean that the SC-900 beta exam results are close to being scored and released? Please let us know. Thank you.

Community Manager

Thanks for the question @carlarjenkins - just a quick note that we have removed the link you've included as we don't allow third-party advertising. Sorry about that.

Brass Contributor

@Eric Starker Okay is there an official timetable answer about receiving the SC-900 exam scores? Thank you.

Community Manager

No problem - I'm a community manager here rather than a certification expert, so I'm unable to answer your question, but hopefully you'll get an answer here soon. 

Microsoft

@carlarjenkins At this time, nothing has changed in my previous responses to this question. The exam will likely go live later this month and beta exams will be rescored about 10 after that.

Copper Contributor

Hi Guys,

 

Any known date for the exam to go live? Waiting on results.. :)

 

Greetz Jordy

Copper Contributor

 The exam will likely go live later this month and beta exams will be rescored about 10 after that.

Brass Contributor

Results for SC-300 taken early Feb have started to come through :stareyes:.

 

Fingers crossed to others still waiting for the results!

Copper Contributor

Cool, when did you take the exam?

Brass Contributor

@Chris MooreCool. This is great to know that there's starting to be movement on these Microsoft Security beta exams.

Brass Contributor

@bjoernhoefer 7th Feb, and a colleague took their SC-300 around the same time - they have also received their result, but SC-200 results from an exam taken a few days later have not yet come through.

 

All SC exams have dropped their beta status as of today, so hopefully not much longer to wait! :crossed_fingers:

Copper Contributor

(you will be scored at the same time as any one who takes the exam before it goes live regardless of whether they used the discount code or not--you are all considered beta testers)

I hope the rest of our SC-300 results will be appearing soon as mine still just says "taken" despite the above comment, although I only took it a couple of weeks ago so maybe the questions had been tweaked/adjusted through the beta process, fingers crossed the result is eventually positive!

 

Copper Contributor

Got the SC-300 results, but no Badges have appeared yet.

Copper Contributor

About this comment "(you will be scored at the same time as any one who takes the exam before it goes live regardless of whether they used the discount code or not--you are all considered beta testers)".

This is not 100% correct, I took all 4 exams during beta and all still showing as taken and don't get results that some people already got.

Copper Contributor

Same here, my SC-400 is not scored yet however its's out of beta

Copper Contributor

So I get the standard practice of Beta results not being available until X days after the exam goes live which is fine and I accept. It's just I don't understand why some have them now and others don't unless they are special somehow? given the comment about scoring them at the same time.

The earlier responses from Microsoft do say it will take 10 days for scores to be released.  Whilst I am also waiting and appreciate how difficult it is to be patient (I am very impatiently waiting) the guidance has always been 10 days after release before exams taken in beta are scored.  Usually Microsoft exceed this and get all results out quickly and often on release day, but where they are still within the 10 days of release, we just have to be patient.

Copper Contributor

Yes Sara, you are right. All my previous experience with beta exams results were early than "10 days after exam goes live", actually most of them I got results on same day as exam goes live. Anyway, just waiting...

Brass Contributor

@jherber ...this afternoon, the status for my SC-400 (beta) exam changed from 'taken' to 'pass.' I was able to access score report via the Pearson Vue dashboard and then 'view score reports.'

 

In an earlier reply, when the SC-300's were finalized, @alana257  mentioned the certification badge wasn't published/available yet for that exam. The same appears to true for SC-400. I am certain it the badges will be available soon, I'm just happy the scoring is done.

Copper Contributor

The lack of transparency about the process is the most frustrating thing about this. Everyone understands that there is additional time needed before scores are shared. But then there are comments indicating that all scores for a certain exam should be shared at once, x number of days after the exam is released. But some people got their results for am exam days ago and others are still waiting for results for the same exam.

 

For example, I'm still waiting fur results to my SC-900 exam, but I know multiple people who already received their results for the same exam.

 

Are these exams being reviewed individually by a human? If so, why? Once the "performance" of each question has been measured, shouldn't it all be electronic? If it's due to review of feedback, shouldn't that be reviewed BEFORE the exam is published and generally available? What is the process that could result in one person getting their results the day the exam goes live and another person having to wait until day 10 (or beyond, let's be honest)? 

Copper Contributor

I'm just going to leave this for my previous self and anyone else wondering. I'm not sure when this was originally published but tonight is the first time I've read it and it's incredibly helpful to understanding the process. I'm happy to retract my previous comment about the lack of transparency, but this should definitely be shared on the info page for every beta exam and in the after exam report, I wish I had read this a long time ago.

 

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/creating-high-quality-exams-the-path-fro...

Copper Contributor

@tcnolan same here, still waiting results for SC-900 that a lot of people already got the results and SC-200 that I think no one got yet (at least by comments I am seeing here and talking to some people). In theory the 10 days after exam goes live will expire this weekend, so hopefully everyone will get the results soon.

Brass Contributor

Hey there everybody! It's official: I have just passed my SC-900 beta exam. Microsoft has just sent me my results an hour ago!

Copper Contributor

Also received SC-900 results, just SC-200 still pending.

Copper Contributor

So, any ideas when the Credly badges will be available for these exams? I passed SC-300 over 10 days ago, and still no badges.

 

Thanks,

S.

Copper Contributor

I got the badges for SC-900 and SC-300, not for SC-400 until now. 

Brass Contributor

I got my SC-900 badge.

Brass Contributor

There are a significant number of people raising threads about missing badges from beta exams on the learning support forums... Doesn't seem to be a consistent message, with many threads being auto resolved without confirmation that the missing badge has turned up.

 

I'm also missing my SC-300 badge, assuming a mass-fix / update was on its way, but it's not clear that it's going to happen.

 

Those taking the exam now get the badges near enough straight away, so something's been missed!

Iron Contributor

Still not get the SC-200 result after 10 days out of BETA

Copper Contributor

Got the result for SC-200 and I passed! No badge to claim yet, hopefully this will be added soon!

Brass Contributor

@Jesh1978 Congratulations! 

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