Microsoft Security certifications

1. Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)

2. Microsoft 365 Security Administrator (MS-500)

1. Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)

Prerequisites

To get the most out of this course students should:

Understand security best practices and industry security requirements such as defense in depth, least privileged access, role-based access control, multi-factor authentication, shared responsibility, and zero trust model.

Be familiar with security protocols such as Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Internet Security Protocol (IPSec), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), disk and data encryption methods.

Have some experience deploying Azure workloads. This course does not cover the basics of Azure administration, instead the course content builds on that knowledge by adding security specific information.

Have experience with Windows and Linux operating systems and scripting languages. Course labs may use PowerShell and the CLI. To get ready for class, consider this free online training.

Azure Fundamentals

AZ-104: Prerequisites for Azure Administrators

Course outline

Module 1: Manage Identity and Access

This module covers Azure Active Directory, Azure Identity Protection, Enterprise Governance, Azure AD PIM, and Hybrid Identity.

Lessons

• Azure Active Directory
• Azure Identity Protection
• Enterprise Governance
• Azure AD Privileged Identity Management
• Hybrid Identity
• Lab : Role-Based Access Control
• Lab : Azure Policy
• Lab : Resource Manager Locks
• Lab : MFA, Conditional Access and AAD Identity Protection
• Lab : Azure AD Privileged Identity Management
• Lab : Implement Directory Synchronization
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Implement enterprise governance strategies including role-based access control, Azure policies, and resource locks.
  • Implement an Azure AD infrastructure including users, groups, and multi-factor authentication.
  • Implement Azure AD Identity Protection including risk policies, conditional access, and access reviews.
  • Implement Azure AD Privileged Identity Management including Azure AD roles and Azure resources.
  • Implement Azure AD Connect including authentication methods and on-premises directory synchronization.

Module 2: Implement Platform Protection.

This module covers perimeter, network, host, and container security.

Lessons

• Perimeter Security
• Network Security
• Host Security
• Container Security
• Lab : Network Security Groups and Application Security Groups
• Lab : Azure Firewall
• Lab : Configuring and Securing ACR and AKS
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Implement perimeter security strategies including Azure Firewall.
  • Implement network security strategies including Network Security Groups and Application Security Groups.
  • Implement host security strategies including endpoint protection, remote access management, update management, and disk encryption.
  • Implement container security strategies including Azure Container Instances, Azure Container Registry, and Azure Kubernetes.

Module 3: Secure Data and Applications

This module covers Azure Key Vault, application security, storage security, and SQL database security.

Lessons

• Azure Key Vault
• Application Security
• Storage Security
• SQL Database Security
• Lab : Key Vault (Implementing Secure Data by setting up Always Encrypted)
• Lab : Securing Azure SQL Database
• Lab : Service Endpoints and Securing Storage
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Implement Azure Key Vault including certificates, keys, and secretes.
  • Implement application security strategies including app registration, managed identities, and service endpoints.
  • Implement storage security strategies including shared access signatures, blob retention policies, and Azure Files authentication.
  • Implement database security strategies including authentication, data classification, dynamic data masking, and always encrypted.

Module 4: Manage Security Operations

This module covers Azure Monitor, Azure Security Center, and Azure Sentinel.

Lessons

• Azure Monitor
• Azure Security Center
• Azure Sentinel
• Lab : Azure Monitor
• Lab : Azure Security Center
• Lab : Azure Sentinel
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Implement Azure Monitor including connected sources, log analytics, and alerts.
  • Implement Azure Security Center including policies, recommendations, and just in time virtual machine access.
  • Implement Azure Sentinel including workbooks, incidents, and playbooks.

2. Microsoft 365 Security Administrator (MS-500)

Prerequisites

Learners should start this course already having the following skills:

Basic conceptual understanding of Microsoft Azure.

Experience with Windows 10 devices.

Experience with Office 365.

Basic understanding of authorization and authentication.

Basic understanding of computer networks.

Working knowledge of managing mobile devices.

Course outline

Module 1: User and Group Protection

This module explains how to manage user accounts and groups in Microsoft 365. It introduces you to Privileged Identity Management in Azure AD as well as Identity Protection. The module sets the foundation for the remainder of the course.

Lessons

• Identity and Access Management Concepts
• Zero Trust Security
• User Accounts in Microsoft 365
• Administrator Roles and Security Groups in Microsoft 365
• Password Management in Microsoft 365
• Azure AD Identity Protection
• Lab : Initialize your trial tenant
• Set up your Microsoft 365 tenant
• Lab : Configure Privileged Identity Management
• Discover and Manage Azure Resources
• Assign Directory Roles
• Activate and Deactivate PIM Roles
• Directory Roles (General)
• PIM Resource Workflows
• View audit history for Azure AD roles in PIM
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Create and manage user accounts.
  • Describe and use Microsoft 365 admin roles.
  • Plan for password policies and authentication.
  • Describe the concepts of Zero Trust security
  • Implement multi-factor authentication in Office 365.
  • Enable Azure Identity Protection

Module 2: Identity Synchronization

This module explains concepts related to synchronizing identities for Microsoft 365. Specifically, it focuses on Azure AD Connect and managing directory synchronization to ensure the right people are connecting to your Microsoft 365 system.

Lessons

• Introduction to Identity Synchronization
• Planning for Azure AD Connect
• Implementing Azure AD Connect
• Managing Synchronized Identities
• Introduction to Federated Identities
• Lab : Implement Identity Synchronization
• Set up your organization for identity synchronization
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe authentication options for Microsoft 365.
  • Explain directory synchronization.
  • Plan directory synchronization.
  • Describe and use Azure AD Connect.
  • Configure Azure AD Connect Prerequisites.
  • Manage users and groups with directory synchronization.
  • Describe Active Directory federation.

Module 3: Access Management

This module explains conditional access for Microsoft 365 and how it can be used to control access to resources in your organization. The module also explains Role Based Access Control (RBAC) and solutions for external access.

Lessons

• Conditional access
• Manage device access
• Role Based Access Control (RBAC)
• Solutions for external access
• Lab : Use Conditional Access to enable MFA
• MFA Authentication Pilot (require MFA for specific apps)
• MFA Conditional Access (complete an MFA roll out)
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe the concept of conditional access.
  • Describe and use conditional access policies.
  • Plan for device compliance.
  • Configure conditional users and groups.
  • Configure role based access control

Module 4: Security in Microsoft 365

This module explains the various cyber-attack threats that exist. It then introduces you to the Microsoft solutions used to mitigate those threats. The module finishes with an explanation of Microsoft Secure Score and how it can be used to evaluate and report your organizations security posture.

Lessons

• Threat vectors and data breaches
• Security strategy and principles
• Security solutions in Microsoft 365
• Microsoft Secure Score
• Lab : Use Microsoft Secure Score
• Improve your secure score in the Microsoft 365 Security Center
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe several techniques attackers use to compromise user accounts through email.
  • Describe techniques attackers use to gain control over resources.
  • List the types of threats that can be avoided by using Exhange Online Protection and Office 365 ATP.
  • Describe the benefits of Secure Score and what kind of services can be analyzed.
  • Describe how to use Secure Score to identify gaps in your current Microsoft 365 security posture.

Module 5: Advanced Threat Protection

This module explains the various threat protection technologies and services available for Microsoft 365. The module covers message protection through Exchange Online Protection, Azure Advanced Threat Protection and Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection.

Lessons

• Exchange Online Protection
• Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection
• Manage Safe Attachments
• Manage Safe Links
• Azure Advanced Threat Protection
• Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection
• Lab : Manage Microsoft 365 Security Services
• Implement ATP Policies
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe the anti-malware pipeline as email is analyzed by Exchange Online Protection.
  • Describe how Safe Attachments is used to block zero-day malware in email attachments and documents.
  • Describe how Safe Links protect users from malicious URLs embedded in email and documents that point
  • Configure Azure Advanced Threat Protection.
  • Configure Windows Defender ATP.

Module 6: Threat Management

This module explains Microsoft Threat Management which provides you with the tools to evaluate and address cyber threats and formulate responses. You will learn how to use the Security dashboard and Azure Sentinel for Microsoft 365. The module also explains and configures Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics.

Lessons

• Use the Security dashboard
• Microsoft 365 threat investigation and response
• Azure Sentinel for Microsoft 365
• Configuring Advanced Threat Analytics
• Lab : Using Attack Simulator
• Conduct a simulated Spear phishing attack
• Conduct simulated password attacks
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe how Threat Explorer can be used to investigate threats and help to protect your tenant.
  • Describe how the Security Dashboard gives C-level executives insight into top risks and trends.
  • Describe what Advanced Thread Analytics (ATA) is and what requirements are needed to deploy it.
  • Configure Advanced Threat Analytics.
  • Use the attack simulator in Microsoft 365.
  • Describe how Azure Sentinel can used for Microsoft 365.

Module 7: Mobility

This module focuses on securing mobile devices and applications. You will learn about Mobile Device Management and how it works with Microsoft Intune. You will also learn about how Intune and Azure AD can be used to secure mobile applications.

Lessons

• Plan for Mobile Application Management
• Plan for Mobile Device Management
• Deploy Mobile Device Management
• Enroll Devices to Mobile Device Management
• Lab : Configure Azure AD for Intune
• Enable Device Management
• Configure Azure AD for Intune
• Create Intune Policies
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe mobile application considerations.
  • Use Intune to manage mobile applications.
  • Manage devices with MDM.
  • Configure Domains for MDM.
  • Manage Device Security Policies.
  • Enroll devices to MDM.
  • Configure a Device Enrollment Manager Role.

Module 8: Information Protection

The module explains how to implement Azure Information Protection and Windows Information Protection.

Lessons

• Information Protection Concepts
• Azure Information Protection
• Advanced Information Protection
• Windows Information Protection
• Lab : Implement Azure Information Protection and Windows Information Protection
• Implement Azure Information Protection
• Implement Windows Information Protection
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Configure labels and policies for Azure Information Protection.
  • Configure the advance AIP service settings for Rights Management Services (RMS) templates.
  • Plan a deployment of Windows Information Protection policies.

Module 9: Rights Management and Encryption

This module explains information rights management in Exchange and SharePoint. The module also describes encryption technologies used to secure messages.

Lessons

• Information Rights Management
• Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension
• Office 365 Message Encryption
• Lab : Configure Office 365 Message Encryption
• Configure Office 365 Message Encryption
• Validate Information Rights Management
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe the various Microsoft 365 Encryption Options.
  • Describe the use of S/MIME.
  • Describe and enable Office 365 Message Encryption.

Module 10: Data Loss Prevention

This module focuses on data loss prevention in Microsoft 365. You will learn about how to create policies, edit rules, and customize user notifications to protect your data.

Lessons

• Data Loss Prevention Explained
• Data Loss Prevention Policies
• Custom DLP Policies
• Creating a DLP Policy to Protect Documents
• Policy Tips
• Lab : Implement Data Loss Prevention policies
• Manage DLP Policies
• Test MRM and DLP Policies
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe Data Loss Prevention (DLP).
  • Use policy templates to implement DLP policies for commonly used information.
  • Configure the correct rules for protecting content.
  • Describe how to modify existing rules of DLP policies.
  • Configure the user override option to a DLP rule.
  • Explain how SharePoint Online creates crawled properties from documents.

Module 11: Cloud Application Security

This module focuses on cloud application security in Microsoft 365. The module will explain cloud discovery, app connectors, policies, and alerts. You will learn how these features work to secure you cloud applications.

Lessons

• Cloud App Security Explained
• Using Cloud Application Security Information
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe Cloud App Security.
  • Explain how to deploy Cloud App Security.
  • Control your Cloud Apps with Policies.
  • Use the Cloud App Catalog.
  • Use the Cloud Discovery dashboard.
  • Manage cloud app permissions.

Module 12: Compliance in Microsoft 365

This module focuses on data governance in Microsoft 365. The module will introduce you to Compliance Manager and discuss Global Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

Lessons

• Plan for compliance requirements
• Build ethical walls in Exchange Online
• Manage Retention in Email
• Troubleshoot Data Governance
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Plan security and compliance roles.
  • Describe what you need to consider for GDPR.
  • Describe what an ethical wall in Exchange is and how it works.
  • Work with retention tags in mailboxes.
  • Describe retention policies with email messages and email folders.
  • Explain how the retention age of elements are calculated.
  • Repair retention policies that do not operate as expected.

Module 13: Archiving and Retention

This module explains concepts related to retention and archiving of data for Microsoft 365 including Exchange and SharePoint.

Lessons

• Archiving in Microsoft 365
• Retention in Microsoft 365
• Retention policies in the Microsoft 365 Compliance Center
• Archiving and Retention in Exchange
• In-place Records Management in SharePoint
• Lab : Compliance and Retention
• Initialize Compliance
• Configure retention tags and policies
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe the difference between In-Place Archive and Records Management.
  • Explain how data is archived in Exchange.
  • Explain how a retention policy functions.
  • Create a retention policy.
  • Enable and disable in-place archiving.
  • Create useful retention tags.

Module 14: Content Search and Investigation

This module focuses on content search and investigations. The module covers how to use eDiscovery to conduct advanced investigations of Microsoft 365 data. It also covers audit logs and discusses GDPR data subject requests.

Lessons

• Content Search
• Audit Log Investigations
• Advanced eDiscovery
• Lab : Manage Search and Investigation
• Investigate your Microsoft 365 Data
• Conduct a Data Subject Request
• After completing this module, you will be able to:
  • Describe how to use content search.
  • Design a content search.
  • Configure search permission filtering.
  • Configure Audit Policies.
  • Enter criteria for searching the audit log.
  • Describe advanced eDiscovery in Microsoft 365.
  • View the advanced eDiscovery event log.