Dear Microsoft 365 / Azure Security Friends,
I thought that I have already done so much in Azure on the subject of identity and access, this test can not be so difficult! Wrong, absolutely wrong setting Tom! With exactly such a view it just does not work for me. So back to field 1!
What was a big challenge for me, among other things, was to understand the different roles in Azure. For example; Application Administrator, Application Developer, Cloud Application Administrator are all familiar to me! BUT, what can one role do but not the other? That's where the challenge lies and that's one of the things I had to face. Now this is just an example, but it should show you that it's the details that matter!
In this exam you will be quizzed on topics in Azure Apps, Azure Identity, Azure Identity Governance, etc. This spectrum is huge, please take enough time to "explore" all the topics described in the Skills measured! This was among other things my way to success!
Now to my preparations for the exam:
1. First of all, I looked at the Exam Topics to get a first impression of the scope of topics.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/identity-and-access-administrator/
Please take a close look at the skills assessed:
https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RE4Mr7Z
2. So that I can prepare for an exam I need an Azure test environment (this is indispensable for me). You can sign up for a free trial here.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/
3. Now it goes to the Microsoft Learn content. These learn paths (as you can see below, all 4) I have worked through completely and "mapped"/reconfigured as much as possible in my test environment.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-identity-management-solution/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-authentication-access-management-solution/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/implement-access-management-for-apps/
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/plan-implement-identity-governance-strategy/
4. Register for the exam early. This creates some pressure and you stay motivated.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/identity-and-access-administrator/
5. Please also have a look at Thomas Maurer's website!
https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2021/03/new-microsoft-security-certification-exams-in-beta/
6. I have compiled a list of links which were very helpful for me!
https://github.com/tomwechsler/Microsoft_Cloud_Security/blob/main/Links.txt
I know you've probably read and heard this many times: read the exam questions slowly and accurately. Well, that was the key to success for me. It's the details that make the difference between success and failure.
One final tip: When you have learned something new, try to explain what you have learned to another person (whether or not they know your subject). If you can explain it in your own words, you understand the subject. That is exactly how I do it, except that I do not explain it to another person, but record a video for YouTube!
I hope this information helps you and that you successfully pass the exam. I wish you success!
Kind regards, Tom Wechsler
