This was my preparation for the exam Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100)!
Dear Microsoft 365 Security and Azure Security Friends, When I first read about this certification I was immediately excited! But at the same time I had a lot of respect, because it is an expert certification. I quickly started collecting information. The first thing I learned was that it takes a so-called prerequisite exam to become a Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert certification. The following prerequisite exams are available (only one of these exams must be passed): Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/security-operations-analyst/ Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/identity-and-access-administrator/ Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-security-engineer/ Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate (MS-500) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/m365-security-administrator/ I have taken all these prerequisite exams. The two exams AZ-500 and MS-500 helped me the most in preparing for the SC-100 (this is certainly not the case for everyone). In this SC-100 exam you will be quizzed on topics in Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Microsoft 365 Defender for Cloud Apps (and all other Defender products), Azure Policy, Azure landing zone, etc. This spectrum is huge, please take enough time to "explore" these "portals" deeply. You don't have to have the technical knowledge down to the last detail. No not at all, in this exam it is important to use all the features and products with the right strategy. 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/cybersecurity-architect-expert/ Please take a close look at the skills assessed: https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RWVbXN 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/ Next, I set up a Microsoft 365 test environment. You can sign up for a free trial here. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/business/compare-all-microsoft-365-business-products I chose the "Microsoft 365 Business Premium" plan for my testing. I have also registered several free trials to test the various Defender products. 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/sc-100-design-zero-trust-strategy-architecture/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/sc-100-evaluate-governance-risk-compliance/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/sc-100-design-security-for-infrastructure/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/sc-100-design-strategy-for-data-applications/ 4. Register for the exam early. This creates some pressure and you stay motivated. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/cybersecurity-architect-expert/ 5. Please also watch the video of John Savill, it is very helpful! https://youtu.be/2Qu5gQjNQh4 6. The Exam Ref for the SC-200 exam was also very supportive. https://www.microsoftpressstore.com/store/exam-ref-sc-200-microsoft-security-operations-analyst-9780137666720 7. Further I have summarized various links that have also helped me a lot. Sorted by Functional Group. Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/cybersecurity-reference-architecture/mcra https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/secure/security-governance https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/monitor-audit https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/security-control-logging-monitoring https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/log-audit https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-network-connectivity https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-network-segmentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/zero-trust/deploy/infrastructure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/zero-trust/integrate/infrastructure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/strategy/define-security-strategy https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/secure/business-resilience https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/strategy/technical-considerations/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/organize/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/operational-checklist https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/defender-for-cloud/#features https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sentinel/overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/workflow-automation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/compass/incident-response-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/compass/incident-response-planning https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/compass/incident-response-process https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/secure/security-operations https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/compass/security-operations https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ready/azure-setup-guide/organize-resources https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ready/azure-setup-guide/manage-access https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ready/landing-zone/design-area/identity-access https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/identity-management-best-practices https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/external-identities/external-identities-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-authentication-methods https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/education/deploy/design-credential-authentication-strategies https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/hybrid/choose-ad-authn https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-identity-authentication https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-identity-authorization https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/conditional-access/plan-conditional-access https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/security/conditional-access-zero-trust https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/roles/best-practices https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/governance/entitlement-management-delegate https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/roles/groups-concept https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/privileged-identity-management/pim-configure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/compass/identity https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/governance/entitlement-management-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/governance/entitlement-management-delegate https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-identity-manager/pam/privileged-identity-management-for-active-directory-domain-services https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-identity-manager/pam/principles-of-operation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/roles/security-planning Evaluate Governance Risk Compliance (GRC) technical strategies and security operations strategies: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/govern/policy-compliance/regulatory-compliance https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/technical-capabilities https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/compass/governance https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/regulatory-compliance-dashboard https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/compliance-manager?view=o365-worldwide https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/compliance-score-calculation?view=o365-worldwide https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/secure-score-security-controls https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/governance/policy/tutorials/create-and-manage https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/global-infrastructure/data-residency/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/achieving-compliant-data-residency-and-security-with-azure/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/trusted-cloud/privacy/ https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/10-recommendations-for-cloud-privacy-and-security-with-ponemon-research/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/introduction https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/update-regulatory-compliance-packages https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/regulatory-compliance-dashboard https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/secure-score-access-and-track https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/enhanced-security-features-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-governance-landing-zone https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ready/considerations/landing-zone-security https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cloud-adoption-framework/ready/landing-zone/design-area/security https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/office-365-security/office-365-ti?view=o365-worldwide https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/insider-risk-management?view=o365-worldwide https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/security-compliance-and-identity/reduce-risk-across-your-environments-with-the-latest-threat-and/ba-p/2902691 Design security for infrastructure: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-security-configuration-framework/windows-security-baselines https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/security/security-and-assurance https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/minimum-requirements?view=o365-worldwide https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/protect/security-baselines https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/security-best-practices/best-practices-for-securing-active-directory https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory-domain-services/secure-your-domain https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/key-vault/general/about-keys-secrets-certificates https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/management https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/cloud-services-security-baseline https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/iot/security/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/security-overview?view=azuresql https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/security-best-practice?view=azuresql https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/sql-database-security-baseline https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/database-security?tabs=sql-api https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/synapse-analytics-security-baseline https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/overview-security https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/app-service/security-recommendations https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/app-service-security-baseline https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/storage-security-baseline https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/container-instances-security-baseline https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/container-registry-security-baseline https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/baselines/aks-security-baseline https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/concepts-security https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/aks/operator-best-practices-cluster-security?tabs=azure-cli https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/services/compute/azure-kubernetes-service/azure-kubernetes-service Design a strategy for data and applications: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/develop/threat-modeling-tool-mitigations https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-threat-model https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/compliance/assurance/assurance-security-development-and-operation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/develop/secure-design https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/defender-for-cloud/defender-for-app-service-introduction https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/resilience https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v3-governance-strategy https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/data-guide/scenarios/securing-data-solutions https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-storage https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/benchmark/azure/security-controls-v3-data-protection https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/encryption-overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/data-encryption-best-practices https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/encryption-atrest https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/security/design-storage-encryption 8. You can find a list of all the links here: https://github.com/tomwechsler/Microsoft_Cloud_Security/blob/main/SC-100/Links.md 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. Let me give you an example at this point. You want to make a business app available. The authentication should be done by each person with his own LinkedIn account. Which variant of Azure Active Directory do you use for this? At this point you should know the different types of Azure Active Directory. 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 P.S. All scripts (#PowerShell, Azure CLI, #Terraform, #ARM) that I use can be found on github! https://github.com/tomwechslerNew Blog Post | Zero Trust with Azure Network Security
Read the full article here: Zero Trust with Azure Network Security - Microsoft Community Hub As more organizations continue to migrate workloads into the cloud and adopt hybrid cloud setups, security measures and controls can become complicated and difficult to implement. The zero-trust model assists and guides organizations in the continuous digital transformation space by providing a reliable framework to manage complexity, secure digital assets and manage risk. The Zero Trust model assumes breach and verifies each request as though it originated from an uncontrolled network regardless of where the request originates or what resource it accesses, instead of believing everything behind the corporate Firewall is safe. For this blog, we will guide you through strengthening one of Zero trust principles - Assume breach. To read more about Zero Trust principles see Zero Trust implementation guidance | Microsoft Learn Azure Network Security Solutions – Firewall, DDoS Protection, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) provide Zero Trust implementation at the network layer ensuring that organizations’ digital assets are secured from attacks and there is visibility into the network traffic. In this blog, we will look at how Azure DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall and Azure Firewall can be deployed to achieve Zero Trust. The deployment is set up with end-to-end TLS encryption showcasing the ability of WAF and Azure Firewall to inspect encrypted traffic.New Blog Post | DRS 2.1 for Azure FrontDoor WAF General Availability
Full Blog: DRS 2.1 for Azure FrontDoor WAF General Availability - Microsoft Community Hub The Default Rule Set 2.1 (DRS 2.1) on Azure's global Web Application Firewall (WAF) with updated rules against new attack signatures is now available to Web Application Firewall customers. This ruleset is available on the Azure Front Door Premium tier. DRS 2.1 is baselined off the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Core Rule Set (CRS) 3.3.2 and includes the Microsoft Threat Intelligence (MSTIC) rules that are written in partnership with the Microsoft Intelligence team. As with the previous DRS 2.0, the MSTIC team analyzes Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) and adapts the CRS ruleset to provide increased coverage, patches for specific vulnerabilities, and better false positive reduction. Also, Azure Front Door WAF with DRS 2.1 uses anomaly scoring mode, hence rule matches are not considered independently.New Blog Post | Automated Detection and Response for Azure WAF with Sentinel
Full article: Automated Detection and Response for Azure WAF with Sentinel - Microsoft Community Hub Web applications are increasingly targeted by malicious attacks that exploit commonly known vulnerabilities. SQL injection and Cross-site scripting are among the most common attacks. Preventing such attacks in application code is challenging. It can require rigorous maintenance, patching, and monitoring at multiple layers of the application topology. A WAF solution can react to a security threat faster by centrally patching a known vulnerability, instead of securing each individual web application. Azure Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a cloud-native service that protects web apps from common web-hacking techniques. This service can be deployed in a matter of minutes to get complete visibility into the web application traffic and block malicious web attacks. Integrating Azure WAF with Microsoft Sentinel (Cloud Native SIEM/SOAR solution) for automated detection and response to threats/incidents/alerts would be an added advantage and reduces the manual intervention needed to update the WAF policy. In this blog, we will discuss about WAF detection templates in Sentinel, deploying a Playbook, and configuring the detection and response in Sentinel using these templates and the Playbook.
