Let’s discuss the AZ-500 Exam Prep Guide Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate Professional Certificate. This exam is designed for professionals working with Azure security services and solutions.
It validates a candidate’s expertise in managing Azure security controls, identity management, and securing data, applications, and networks in Azure environments. This certification is ideal for security engineers or cloud administrators who focus on maintaining the security posture of Azure solutions.
The AZ-500 exam can be challenging, but you can succeed with proper study and practice. It’s not meant for beginners—you should know the basics of Azure security and have some experience with security controls.
In this post, you will find everything you need about the AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate certification exam. This exam tests your skills in managing and securing Azure environments.
Table of Contents
What are the Main Responsibilities of an Azure Security Engineer?
What is the Cost of the AZ-500 Exam?
The standard fee for the AZ-500 exam is USD 165. If you need to retake the exam, there will be additional costs for each attempt.
What is the Passing Score for the AZ-500 Exam?
To pass the Microsoft AZ-500 certification exam, you need a 700 out of 1000 score.
What is the Salary Range for Azure Security Engineers with the AZ-500 Certification?
The salary for Azure Security Engineers holding the AZ-500 certification typically ranges from $143,000 to $205,000 annually. Many companies are actively hiring for these positions, reflecting the high demand for skilled professionals in Azure security.
Are Professionals with the AZ-500 Certification in Demand?
Yes, there is a high demand for professionals with the AZ-500 certification. With organizations increasingly relying on cloud platforms, many career opportunities are available, such as Cloud Security Engineer, Security Analyst, and Azure Security Engineer.
How Many Times Can I Take the AZ-500 Exam?
You can take the AZ-500 exam up to 5 times within 12 months. After your first attempt, you can retake the exam after 24 hours. For subsequent attempts, a 14-day waiting period is required between each retake.
Who is Eligible to Take the AZ-500 Exam?
While having foundational knowledge, such as the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), can be beneficial, it is not a prerequisite for the AZ-500 certification. You can pursue the AZ-500 exam if you already have experience with platform protection and Azure security practices. You can take the AZ-500 certification exam if you meet these criteria.
What Score Do I Need to Pass the AZ-500 Exam?
To pass the AZ-500 exam, you must score 700 or greater.
How Long is the AZ-500 Certification Valid, and Does it Expire?
Yes, the AZ-500 certification is valid for 1 year after you pass the exam. You can renew your certification for free by completing a renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn.
Which Azure Certification Exam is the Easiest to Pass?
The AZ-900, or the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam, is generally considered the most accessible Azure certification. It’s incredibly manageable for those with prior knowledge and cloud computing experience.
What is the Duration of the AZ-500 Exam?
The Microsoft AZ-500 exam is typically 120 minutes (2 hours) long.
Which Azure Certification Exam is Considered the Hardest?
The Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, which consists of the AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams, is often regarded as the most challenging Azure exam.
Is Obtaining the AZ-500 Certification Worth it?
Yes, the Microsoft AZ-500 certification is highly regarded and in demand in the job market, particularly for cybersecurity and cloud security positions.
Which Azure Certification Offers the Highest Salary?
The Azure Developer Associate certification is among the highest-paying Azure certifications. It is particularly sought after by developers who specialize in crafting, testing, and maintaining cloud applications on Azure.
How Many Questions Are Included in the AZ-500 Exam?
The AZ-500 certification exam consists of 40 to 60 multiple-choice questions. You have a time limit of 150 minutes to complete the exam.
What Does AZ-500 Stand For?
The AZ-500 refers to the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer certification exam.
What are the Main Differences between the AZ-500 and AZ-900 Exams?
The AZ-900 exam is the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification, which provides a foundational understanding of Azure cloud concepts and services.
In contrast, the AZ-500 exam is the Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate certification, focusing specifically on security management and protection of Azure environments.
What Should I Do if I Fail a Microsoft Exam?
If you don’t pass a Microsoft exam on your first attempt, you must wait 24 hours before you can retake it. For all subsequent attempts, there is a 14-day waiting period between each retake.
Are there Labs Included in the AZ-500 Exam?
Yes, the AZ-500 exam does include labs. Microsoft has added labs to some of its certification exams, including the AZ-500, to provide candidates with practical experience and a better understanding of the content before taking the test.
How Do the AZ-500 and AZ-104 Exams Differ?
The AZ-104 exam focuses on Azure Administration and is more technical and implementation-oriented, covering general Azure management tasks. The AZ-500 exam is a security certification focusing more centrally on securing Azure environments and resources.
AZ-500 Exam Prep Guide – Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate Professional Certificate
As an Azure Security Engineer, your main job is to keep the cloud safe, including Azure, multi-cloud, and hybrid environments. You protect everything in the system, including data, applications, identity, and network security.
You constantly monitor and manage the security of these areas. You also work with architects, administrators, and developers to ensure the system meets security and compliance standards and is secure from threats.
Note! The English version of the AZ-500 certification exam will be updated on October 30, 2024. This means some exam objectives or question types may change after this date. Review the official study guide for details about what will be updated so you can prepare accordingly.
- Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark Guide MCSB with Control Domain Security Principle Azure AWS Guidance
- 50% of Identities have Access to Full Access as per Microsoft Security Report 2024
- Maester Microsoft Security Test Automation Framework
Skills Measured in the AZ-500 Exam
To pass the AZ-500 exam, focus on understanding these key areas: By mastering the following topics, you can confidently prepare for the exam, whether aiming to pass on February 8, 2024, or anytime after. To pass the AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate certification exam, you must demonstrate your knowledge in the following areas.
Manage Identity and Access
Control who has access to Azure resources by using Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Implement solutions like Privileged Identity Management (PIM) to manage high-privilege roles.
Secure Networking
Configure and secure network connections using tools like Network Security Groups (NSGs), Azure Firewall, and DDoS protection. Securely manage hybrid connectivity, including setting up secure VPNs and ExpressRoute connections between on-premises and Azure.
Secure Compute Storage and Databases
Implement security best practices for virtual machines (VMs), including just-in-time VM access, patch management, and endpoint protection. Secure storage accounts with encryption at rest and manage access using firewalls and private endpoints. Protect databases like Azure SQL with encryption, access controls, and threat detection.
Manage Security Operations
Monitor and manage the security of Azure resources using tools like Azure Security Center and Azure Sentinel, a cloud-native security information and event management (SIEM) tool—Configure automated responses to threats, including setting up alerts and incident management processes.
Skill Areas and Task – Skills Measured as of October 30, 2024
As an Azure security engineer, you are essential in responding to security incidents. You collaborate with architects, administrators, and developers to create and implement solutions that meet security and compliance needs.
To succeed in this role, you should have hands-on experience managing Microsoft Azure and hybrid environments and a solid understanding of Azure’s computing, networking, and storage services and Microsoft Entra ID.
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Author
Anoop C Nair has been Microsoft MVP from 2015 onwards for 10 consecutive years! He is a Workplace Solution Architect with more than 22+ years of experience in Workplace technologies. He is also a Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group Community leader. His primary focus is on Device Management technologies like SCCM and Intune. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM, Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security, Career, etc.