SC-900 Overview & My Tips

SC-900 or Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals is a fundamentals (one star) certification from Microsoft.  It is aimed at people who want to know about the security, compliance and identity feature of the various Microsoft Cloud products (Microsoft 365, Azure and Dynamics 365).  Note this certification focuses on Microsoft 365 and Azure only.

Generally, the Fundamentals qualifications can be classified as looking at what not how.  So, for example, with the Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals you need to know what options are available for securing your cloud services within the Microsoft stack but not how to implement it.  Therefore these qualifications are often targeted at those in business management and sales roles.  If you have a technical role or mindset, the challenge with the fundamentals certifications can be that we tend to want to know how something works in order to understand what it can do and therefore end up overcomplicating things and going too deep.  The objectives for this exam are primarily to describe or define the features.

Disclaimer: All these links were correct at the time of posting.  But the Cloud changes regularly, so the referenced articles my change/be removed.  Please do post a comment if you spot a broken link or have suggestions to add so others can benefit too.

General References

• SC-900 Exam page https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/sc-900
• Microsoft Learn. Provides searchable learning paths and modules for a variety of roles and levels. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/
• Learn TV. Digital content so you can always keep updated on the latest announcements, features, and products from Microsoft. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/tv/
• Microsoft Azure Blog  https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/ 
• Channel 9.  Informational videos, shows, and events on variety of technical topics. https://channel9.msdn.com/
• Microsoft Learning Community Blog. Get the latest information about the certification tests and exam study groups. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/community-blog.aspx
• Azure Documentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/
• Microsoft 365 Documentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365
• Microsoft Security Documentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/security/

Taking a Microsoft Professional Exam

There are a number of blogs about taking MCP exams.  My personal favourites are:

• Certification process overview | Microsoft Docs
• Microsoft Certifications – Microsoft Exam duration and question types – tiagocosta.com
• An MCT’s perspective on taking a Microsoft Fundamentals Exam (FAQ’s) – @Microsoft365Pro
• How to take a Microsoft Certification Exam Online – Thomas Maurer

Pre-study References

Before attending an SC-900 course you should have a good understanding of what the Microsoft Cloud is.  I would recommend reviewing both MS-900 (Microsoft 365 Fundamentals) and AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) content either by attending a course or reviewing the content on Microsoft Learn. You do not need to pass the exams, but the content will help with this course and exam.  These resources can help.

• My MS-900 Extras Page – https://m365train.co.uk/2021/08/15/ms-900-course-extras
• Azure Fundamentals Learning Path (Microsoft Learn)
  • Describe Core Azure Concepts https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/az-900-describe-cloud-concepts/
  • Describe Core Azure Services https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/az-900-describe-core-azure-services/
  • Describe core solutions and management tools on Azure https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/az-900-describe-core-solutions-management-tools-azure/
  • Describe general security and network security features https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/az-900-describe-general-security-network-security-features/
  • Describe identity, governance, privacy and compliance features https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/az-900-describe-identity-governance-privacy-compliance-features/
• Introduction to Azure security (Microsoft Learn) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/overview
• Introduction to Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance (Microsoft Learn) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/m365-security-compliance-capabilities/
• Azure identity management security overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security/fundamentals/identity-management-overview
• Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework Security (Learn) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/azure-well-architected-security/

Microsoft Learn Learning Paths (SC-900)

• SC-900 part 1: Describe the concepts or security, compliance, and identity https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/describe-concepts-of-security-compliance-identity/
• SC-900 part 2: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft identity and access management https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/describe-capabilities-of-microsoft-identity-access/
• SC-900 part 3: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/describe-capabilities-of-microsoft-security-solutions/
• SC-900 part 4: Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/describe-capabilities-of-microsoft-compliance-solutions/

References by Exam Objectives

Based on exam objectives from July 26, 2021

Describe the Concepts of Security, Compliance, and Identity (10-15%)

Describe security and compliance concepts & methodologies

• describe the Zero-Trust methodology
  • Zero Trust Guidance Center | Microsoft Docs
• describe the shared responsibility model
  • Bear in mind this exam cover Microsoft 365 (SaaS) and Azure (PaaS & IaaS) so you do need to understand and describe the shared responsibility model for all 3
  • Shared responsibility in the cloud – Microsoft Azure | Microsoft Docs
• define defense in depth
  • Defense In Depth: Enterprise Mobility and Security’s advanced protection capabilities (microsoft.com)
  • End-to-end security in Azure | Microsoft Docs
• describe common threats

There is no specific reference for this and the actual threat landscape does shift continuously.  Threats to organisational security are around the risks to organisations of loss of data or loss of service.  The terms you should understand and be able to explain are unauthorised access to systems (commonly known as hacking), unauthorised use of user credentials, denial of service attacks, malware, ransomware, data stolen by staff, data accidentally lost by staff, phishing, spear phishing, scams, SQL injection, dictionary attack, brute force attack, trojan, worm, rootkit exploits

See also Introduction to cybersecurity – Learn | Microsoft Docs

• describe encryption
  • Describe ways encryption and hashing can secure your data – Learn | Microsoft Docs
• describe cloud adoption framework
  • Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure documentation – Cloud Adoption Framework | Microsoft Docs

Define identity concepts

• define identity as the primary security perimeter
  • Define Identity as the primary security perimeter – Learn | Microsoft Docs
• define authentication
  • Azure Active Directory authentication overview | Microsoft Docs
• define authorization
  • Authentication vs. authorization – Microsoft identity platform | Microsoft Docs
• describe what identity providers are
  • As per Describe modern authentication and the role of the identity provider – Learn | Microsoft Docs “At the center of modern authentication is the role of the identity provider. An identity provider creates, maintains, and manages identity information while offering authentication, authorization, and auditing services.”
• describe what Active Directory is
  • What is Azure Active Directory? – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• describe the concept of Federated services
  • What is federation with Azure AD? | Microsoft Docs
• define common Identity Attacks
  • Describe common identity attacks – Learn | Microsoft Docs

Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Identity and Access Management Solutions (30-35%)

Describe the basic identity services and identity types of Azure AD

• describe what Azure Active Directory is
  • What is Azure Active Directory? – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• describe Azure AD identities (users, devices, groups, service principals/applications)
  • Describe Azure AD identity types – Learn | Microsoft Docs
• describe what hybrid identity is
  • What is hybrid identity with Azure Active Directory? | Microsoft Docs
• describe the different external identity types (Guest Users)
  • Compare External Identities – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs

Describe the authentication capabilities of Azure AD

• describe the different authentication methods
  • Authentication methods and features – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• describe self-service password reset
  • Self-service password reset deep dive – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• describe password protection and management capabilities
  • Password protection in Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• describe Multi-factor Authentication
  • Azure AD Multi-Factor Authentication overview | Microsoft Docs
• describe Windows Hello for Business
  • Windows Hello for Business Overview (Windows 10) – Microsoft 365 Security | Microsoft Docs

Describe access management capabilities of Azure AD

• describe what conditional access is
  • What is Conditional Access in Azure Active Directory? | Microsoft Docs
• describe uses and benefits of conditional access
  • Common Conditional Access policies – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• describe the benefits of Azure AD roles
  • Overview of Azure Active Directory role-based access control (RBAC) | Microsoft Docs

Describe the identity protection & governance capabilities of Azure AD

• describe what identity governance is
  • Identity Governance – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
  • What is identity lifecycle management with Azure Active Directory? | Microsoft Docs
• describe what entitlement management and access reviews is
  • What is entitlement management? – Azure AD | Microsoft Docs
  • What are access reviews? – Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• describe the capabilities of PIM
  • What is Privileged Identity Management? – Azure AD | Microsoft Docs
• describe Azure AD Identity Protection
  • What is Azure Active Directory Identity Protection? | Microsoft Docs

Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Security Solutions (35-40%)

Describe basic security capabilities in Azure

• describe Azure Network Security groups
  • Azure network security groups overview | Microsoft Docs
• describe Azure DDoS protection
  • Azure DDoS Protection Standard Overview | Microsoft Docs
  • Introduction to Azure DDoS Protection – Learn | Microsoft Docs
• describe what Azure Firewall is
  • What is Azure Firewall? | Microsoft Docs
• describe what Azure Bastion is
  • Azure Bastion | Microsoft Docs
• describe what Web Application Firewall is
  • Introduction to Azure Web Application Firewall | Microsoft Docs
• describe ways Azure encrypts data
  • Data encryption in Azure – Azure Architecture Center | Microsoft Docs

Describe security management capabilities of Azure

• describe the Azure Security center
  • What is Azure Security Center? | Microsoft Docs
• describe Azure Secure score
  • Secure score in Azure Security Center | Microsoft Docs
• describe the benefit and use cases of Azure Defender – previously the cloud workload protection platform (CWPP)
  • Overview of Azure Defender and the available plans | Microsoft Docs
• describe Cloud security posture management (CSPM)
  • Function of cloud security posture management – Cloud Adoption Framework | Microsoft Docs
• describe security baselines for Azure
  • Azure Security Benchmark overview | Microsoft Docs

Describe security capabilities of Azure Sentinel

• define the concepts of SIEM, SOAR, XDR
  • Define the concepts of SIEM, SOAR, XDR – Learn | Microsoft Docs
• describe the role and value of Azure Sentinel to provide integrated threat protection
  • What is Azure Sentinel? | Microsoft Docs

Describe threat protection with Microsoft 365 Defender

• describe Microsoft 365 Defender services
  • Microsoft 365 Defender | Microsoft Docs
  • Microsoft 365 Defender overview, combining MDO, MDE, MDI, and MCAS | Microsoft Docs
• describe Microsoft Defender for Identity (formerly Azure ATP)
  • What is Microsoft Defender for Identity? | Microsoft Docs
• describe Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (formerly Office 365 ATP)
  • Microsoft Defender for Office 365 – Office 365 | Microsoft Docs
• describe Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (formerly Microsoft Defender ATP)
  • Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Microsoft Docs
• describe Microsoft Cloud App Security
  • What is Cloud App Security? | Microsoft Docs

Describe security management capabilities of Microsoft 365

• describe the Microsoft 365 Defender portal
  • Microsoft security portals and admin centers | Microsoft Docs
• describe how to use Microsoft Secure Score
  • Microsoft Secure Score | Microsoft Docs
• describe security reports and dashboards
  • Security dashboard overview – Office 365 | Microsoft Docs
  • Microsoft 365 Defender overview, combining MDO, MDE, MDI, and MCAS | Microsoft Docs
• describe incidents and incident management capabilities
  • Threat investigation & response capabilities – Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 – Office 365 | Microsoft Docs

Describe endpoint security with Microsoft Intune

• describe what Intune is
  • What is Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Docs
• describe endpoint security with Intune
  • Manage endpoint security in Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Docs
• describe the endpoint security with the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center
  • Microsoft Endpoint Manager overview | Microsoft Docs

Describe the Capabilities of Microsoft Compliance Solutions (25-30%)

Describe the compliance management capabilities in Microsoft

• describe the offerings of the Service Trust portal
  • Get started with the Microsoft Service Trust Portal – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe Microsoft’s privacy principles
  • Microsoft Data Privacy Principles | Microsoft Trust Center
• describe the compliance center
  • Microsoft 365 compliance center – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe compliance manager
  • Microsoft Compliance Manager – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe use and benefits of compliance score
  • Compliance score calculation – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs

Describe information protection and governance capabilities of Microsoft 365

• describe data classification capabilities
  • Learn about data classification – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
  • Microsoft technologies for data classification and protection – Learn | Microsoft Docs
• describe the value of content and activity explorer
  • Get started with content explorer – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
  • Get started with activity explorer – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe sensitivity labels
  • Learn about sensitivity labels – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe Retention Polices and Retention Labels
  • Learn about retention policies & labels to automatically retain or delete content – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe Records Management
  • Records Management in Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe Data Loss Prevention
  • Learn about data loss prevention – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs

Describe insider risk capabilities in Microsoft 365

• describe Insider risk management solution
  • Insider risk solutions – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe communication compliance
  • Communication compliance in Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe information barriers
  • Information barriers in Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe privileged access management
  • Privileged access management in Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe customer lockbox
  • Customer Lockbox Requests – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs

Describe the eDiscovery and audit capabilities of Microsoft 365

• describe the purpose of eDiscovery
  • Microsoft 365 eDiscovery solutions – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe the capabilities of the content search tool
  • Search for content – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe the core eDiscovery workflow
  • Get started with Core eDiscovery cases in Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe the advanced eDiscovery workflow
  • Overview of the Advanced eDiscovery solution in Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe the core audit capabilities of M365
  • Microsoft 365 auditing solutions – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• describe purpose and value of Advanced Auditing
  • Advanced Audit in Microsoft 365 – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs

Describe resource governance capabilities in Azure

• describe the use of Azure Resource locks
  • Lock resources to prevent changes – Azure Resource Manager | Microsoft Docs
• describe what Azure Blueprints is
  • Overview of Azure Blueprints – Azure Blueprints | Microsoft Docs
• define Azure Policy and describe its use cases
  • Overview of Azure Policy – Azure Policy | Microsoft Docs