Microsoft 365 Security Administration Study Guide
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The Microsoft 365 Security Administrator – MS-500 exam enables candidates proactively secures Microsoft 365 enterprise environments, responds to threats, performs investigations, and enforces data governance. The Microsoft 365 Security Administrator collaborates with the Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator, business stakeholders, and other workload administrators to plan and implement security strategies to ensure that the solutions comply with the policies and regulations of the organization.
Introduction
The Microsoft 365 Security Administration certification is mainly targeted to those candidates who want to build their career in Microsoft 365 domain. The Microsoft 365 Certified – Security Administrator Associate exam verifies that the candidate possesses the fundamental knowledge and proven skills in Microsoft 365 Security Administration.
Responsibilities of an Microsoft 365 Security Administrator
Candidates for this exam implement, manage, and monitor security and compliance solutions for Microsoft 365 and hybrid environments. The Microsoft 365 security administrator proactively secures Microsoft 365 enterprise environments, responds to threats, performs investigations, and enforces data governance. The Microsoft 365 security administrator collaborates with the Microsoft 365 enterprise administrator, business stakeholders, and other workload administrators to plan and implement security strategies and ensures that the solutions comply with the policies and regulations of the organization.
Candidates for this exam are familiar with Microsoft 365 workloads and have strong skills and experience with identity protection, information protection, threat protection, security management, and data governance. This role focuses on the Microsoft 365 environment and includes hybrid environments.
Who must take the exam
- Security Engineer
- Microsoft O365 Admins
Exam Details: MS-500
Exam Name Microsoft 365 Security Administration
Exam Code MS-500
Exam Duration 120 minutes
Exam Format Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions
Exam Type Online and Proctored Exam
Number of Questions 40-60
Exam Fee $165 USD
Exam Language English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean
Pass Score 700 (on a scale of 1-1000)
Exam Medium Pearson Vue or Certiport
After successfully passing the MS-500 , the candidate will gain the role of Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Security Administrator
Topics Covered in the Azure MS-500 Certification
The MS-500 exam includes four major topics, with each focusing on different concepts in information protection. Each domain has a different weightage with a different set of subtopics
| Topic | Details |
| Implement and manage identity and access | Weightage : 35-40% |
| Secure Microsoft 365 hybrid environments | ->Plan Azure AD authentication options ->Plan Azure AD synchronization options ->Monitor and troubleshoot Azure AD Connect events |
| Secure Identities | ->Implement Azure AD group membership ->Implement password management ->Manage external identities in Azure AD and Microsoft 365 workloads |
| Implement authentication methods | ->Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) by using conditional access policy ->Manage and monitor MFA ->Plan and implement device authentication methods like Windows Hello |
| Implement conditional access | ->Plan for compliance and conditional access policies ->Configure and manage device compliance policies ->Implement and manage conditional access ->Test and troubleshoot conditional access policies |
| Implement roles and role groups | ->Plan for roles and role groups ->Configure roles and role groups ->Audit roles for least privileged access |
| Configure and manage identity governance | ->Implement Azure AD Privileged Identity Management ->Implement and manage entitlement management ->Implement and manage access reviews |
| Implement Azure AD Identity Protection | ->Implement user risk policy ->Implement sign-in risk policy ->Configure identity protection alerts ->Review and respond to risk events |
| Implement and manage threat protection | Weightage : 25-30% |
| Implement and manage Microsoft defender for Identity | ->Plan a Microsoft Defender for Identity solution ->Install and configure Microsoft Defender for Identity ->Monitor and manage Microsoft Defender for Identity |
| Implement device threat protection | ->Plan a Microsoft Defender for Endpoint solution ->Implement Microsoft Defender for Endpoint ->Manage and monitor Microsoft Defender for Endpoint |
| Implement and manage device and application protection | ->Plan for device and application protection ->Configure and manage microsoft defender application guard ->Configure and manage microsoft defender application control ->Configure and manage exploit protection ->Configure and manage windows device encryption ->Configure and manage non-windows device encryption ->Implement application protection policies ->Configure and manage device compliance for endpoint security |
| Implement and manage Microsoft Defender for Office 365 | ->Configure Microsoft Defender for Office 365 ->Monitor for and remediate threats using Microsoft Defender for Office 365 ->Conduct simulated attacks using Attack Simulator |
| Monitor Microsoft 365 Security with Azure Sentinel | ->Plan and implement Azure Sentinel ->Configure playbooks in Azure Sentinel ->Manage and monitor Azure Sentinel ->Respond to threats using built-in playbooks in Azure Sentinel |
| Implement and manage Microsoft Cloud App Security | ->Plan Cloud App Security implementation ->Configure Microsoft Cloud App Security ->Manage cloud app discovery ->Manage entries in the Cloud app catalog ->Manage apps in Cloud App Security ->Configure Cloud App Security connectors and oauth apps ->Configure Cloud App Security policies and templates ->Review, interpret and respond to Cloud App Security alerts, reports, dashboards, and logs |
| Implement and manage information protection | Weightage : 10-15% |
| Manage sensitive information | ->Plan a sensitivity label solution ->Create and manage sensitive information types ->Configure sensitivity labels and policies.Configure and use activity explorer ->Use sensitivity labels with Teams, sharepoint, onedrive, and Office apps |
| Manage Data Loss Prevention (DLP) | ->Plan a DLP solution ->Create and manage DLP policies for Microsoft 365 workloads ->Create and manage sensitive information types Monitor DLP reportsManage DLP notifications Implement Endpoint DLP |
| Manage data governance and retention | ->Plan for data governance and retention ->Review and interpret data governance reports and dashboards ->Configure retention labels and policies ->Define and manage communication compliance policies ->Configure retention in microsoft 365 workloads ->Find and recover deleted office 365 data ->Configure and use microsoft 365 records management |
| Manage governance and compliance features in Microsoft 365 | Weightage : 20-25% |
| Configure and analyze security reporting | ->Monitor and manage device security status using Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center. ->Manage and monitor security reports and dashboards using Microsoft 365 Defender portal Plan for custom security reporting with Graph Security API ->Use secure score dashboards to review actions and recommendations ->Configure alert policies in the Security & Compliance center |
| Manage and analyze audit logs and reports | ->Plan for auditing and reporting ->Perform audit log search ->Review and interpret compliance reports and dashboards ->Configure alert policies |
| Discover and respond to compliance queries in Microsoft 365 | ->Plan for content search and eDiscovery ->Delegate permissions to use search and discovery tools ->Use search and investigation tools to discover and respond ->Manage eDiscovery cases |
| Manage regulatory compliance | ->Plan for regulatory compliance in Microsoft 365 ->Manage Data Subject Requests (dsrs) ->Administer Compliance Manager in Microsoft 365 compliance center ->Use Compliance Manager |
| Manage insider risk solutions in Microsoft 365 | ->Implement and manage Customer Lockbox ->Implement and manage communication compliance policies ->Implement and manage Insider risk management policies ->Implement and manage information barrier policies ->Implement and manage privileged access management |
Candidates could not just start reading every book. They get to cover all topics in the MS-500 exam skills outline. You can get started with your preparations for the MS-500 exam without any difficulties by following the tips mentioned below:
Familiarize with the Exam
Candidates should understand all the topics covered in the exam skills outline for the MS-500 exam. As a result, they could identify suitable learning materials for each topic. This can save them a lot of effort in finding out the relevant resources for supporting their preparations.
Use Microsoft Learning
With a clear idea of all the details about the exam, you can look for moving to the next stage of the MS-500 preparation guide. You need credible learning resources for building a clear foundation for success in qualifying for the exam. Microsoft Learning gives official resources that can help in preparing for MS-500 with reflection on different aspects of Azure security, Compliance, and identity.
The official recommended learning paths for the MS-500 exam on the official certification page give a prolific advantage to all learners. The learning paths are divided into different parts for helping you in flexible learning.
Learning paths recommended for the MS-500 exam can improve your command over the fundamentals of Azure security, Compliance, and identity. With the help of Microsoft learning paths, candidates could discover the perfect start to their MS-500 preparations.
Go for Official Documentation Only
If you thought Microsoft only has learning paths, you need to think twice. The official Microsoft documentation about information governance gives the ideal tools for navigating the massive body of knowledge pertaining to the concepts.
The official documentation allows candidates to explore the technical content relevant to their MS-500 study guide. The official Microsoft documentation also allows the flexibility of selecting resources according to roles, topics, products, job roles, and experience level.
Microsoft Documentation : MS-500 Guide
Training Courses are Helpful
Candidates preparing for Microsoft Azure MS-500 certification could also get the benefit of competitive advantage in their preparations through training courses. There are various professional certification training providers with a wide array of online courses. It is also essential to look for interactive exercises and engaging demo videos with the training courses to ensure a better quality of learning. Most important of all, choose a training course which allows you some room to breathe. It can be difficult to concentrate on your preparation when you must complete the course within a specific time.
Video Tutorials : Udemy Udemy2, Pluralsight
Practice Tests Can Test You – Important!
It is true that practice is the key factor of success in professional certification exams. So, you need to make the most of practice tests for the MS-500 exam for evaluating your preparations. Practice tests feature similar formats to the actual exam and encourage the confidence of candidates. Regular practice with practice tests for the MS-500 exam can help candidates familiarize themselves with the exam format. They can also showcase how the candidates perform in different domains of the exam. Therefore, practice tests are always necessary to add the finishing touch to your preparations.
Practise Test : Udemy Udemy2, WhizLabs
Exam Retake Policy
- If you are unable to pass the exam in first attempt, you must at least wait 24 hours before retaking the exam. You cannot retake the exam if you achieve a passing score.
- If you fail to pass the exam in second attempt too, then you must wait for a period not less than 14 days, to retake the exam. This is the same process for the failure in third, fourth or fifth attempt.
- You will not be allowed to give the exam more than 5 times a year. This year, 12-month period starts on your failure on 5th attempt. If you wish to give the exam more than 5 months a year, then you have to contact Microsoft.
