Your guide to the Microsoft Azure certification path

April 23, 2024 by

Jeff Peters

As more organizations migrate to cloud platforms, cloud technology is becoming more important in business, our daily lives and our careers. In fact, “cloud skills” are the largest hard skills gap for cybersecurity professionals, according to the recent ISACA State of Cybersecurity Report. AWS remains the cloud infrastructure leader, but Microsoft Azure is in second with 24% of the market — and closing the gap. 

As a result, Azure certifications have become even more of an asset for IT and cybersecurity professionals safeguarding cloud environments.  

But where do you begin when you can choose from many Azure certifications? This guide will help you decipher the different certification paths and find the ones most relevant to you in 2024 and beyond. 

Make Your Resume Stand Out With a Microsoft Azure Certification

Cloud technologies and services have revolutionized how we manage our IT and business ecosystems. Whether you're new to the field or an experienced professional, a Microsoft Azure certification can help build your skills and accelerate your career.

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The landscape of Azure certifications 

Azure certifications prove your proficiency in working with Microsoft's cloud platform. Earning an Azure certification demonstrates to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge to design, implement and manage cloud solutions. 

Microsoft offers a structured certification path with three tiers. Each level builds upon the previous one, taking you from foundational knowledge to advanced expertise. Here's a breakdown: 

• Fundamentals: These certifications provide a broad foundational understanding of Azure cloud services. They're the perfect starting point for anyone new to Azure or cloud computing in general. 
• Associate: These certifications go deeper into specific Azure services and solutions. They are ideal for IT and cybersecurity professionals who want to demonstrate their proficiency in managing and administering Azure environments. 
• Expert: Expert certifications are designed for seasoned Azure professionals with extensive experience. They validate your ability to architect and design complex cloud solutions using Azure. 
• Specialty: Specialty certifications dive deep into a particular area and validate your knowledge of a particular domain. 

In this guide, we won't be covering every single Azure certification. Microsoft offers a wide range of certifications, including some geared toward business users. For example, you can get certifications focused on Microsoft Office. We won’t cover those here. This guide will focus on the ones most relevant to IT security professionals — and those we see being requested by the thousand organizations we’ve helped train for over the past two decades. 

Azure certification paths 

Microsoft's Azure certification program is structured into four main levels. Each level builds upon the previous one, allowing you to progress your Azure expertise and demonstrate your capabilities to potential employers. 

Fundamentals-level Azure certs 

This is where you'll establish a strong foundation in core Azure concepts, making it the starting point for anyone new to the platform, especially those interested in cybersecurity. 

The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification validates your understanding of cloud concepts, Azure services, security, pricing and lifecycles. It prepares you with the foundational knowledge to effectively discuss Azure with colleagues and demonstrates your commitment to entering the cloud computing world. This exam has no formal prerequisites, making it accessible for anyone eager to learn. 

Earning the AZ-900 is a strategic first step for anyone pursuing a career in cybersecurity who wants to leverage the power of Azure. While the AZ-900 is the primary fundamentals-level Azure certification for those pursuing networking and security roles, Microsoft offers other Fundamentals certifications you might consider, including: 

• Azure Data Fundamentals: Valuable for security professionals, you need to understand data storage and protection in the cloud. 
• Azure AI Fundamentals: Covers the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) services on Azure. 

Associate-level Azure certs 

Azure associate-level certifications offer a deep dive into specific Azure services and solutions. They are highly sought-after by employers looking for qualified IT and security professionals. Here are the key associate certifications that consistently rank high in demand: 

Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) 

This cert validates your ability to manage and configure Azure infrastructure, including virtual machines, storage, networking and security. 

• Prerequisites: AZ-900 is recommended but not mandatory. 
• Career fit: This certification is ideal for IT professionals who manage and troubleshoot Azure environments. Security professionals with this certification demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of the platform, making them valuable assets for securing cloud infrastructure. 

Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) 

This is the gold standard for cybersecurity professionals in the Azure space. It validates your expertise in implementing and managing security solutions for Azure workloads. 

• Prerequisites: AZ-900 is recommended but not mandatory. 
• Career fit: This certification is a must-have for anyone pursuing a career in cloud security and working in Azure. It equips you with the skills to identify threats, design secure architectures and implement security controls in Azure. 

Microsoft Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (AZ-800 & AZ-801) 

These two separate associate certifications focus on managing hybrid environments that integrate on-premises Windows Servers with Azure services. 

• Prerequisites: AZ-900 is recommended but not mandatory. 
• Career fit: While not strictly cybersecurity-focused, this certification can be valuable for security professionals who manage and secure hybrid cloud environments. 

Make Your Resume Stand Out With a Microsoft Azure Certification

Cloud technologies and services have revolutionized how we manage our IT and business ecosystems. Whether you're new to the field or an experienced professional, a Microsoft Azure certification can help build your skills and accelerate your career.

View Pricing

Other associate-level certifications 

In addition to the above, which we believe are most valuable for typical cloud IT and cloud cybersecurity career paths, Microsoft also offers additional associate-level Azure certifications. Depending on your career goals, you may want to pursue one of the following: 

• Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700) 
• Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) 
• Azure AI Engineer Associate (AZ-303) 
• Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) 
• Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) 
• Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300) 
• Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300) 
• Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200) 

Expert-level Azure certs 

The expert level represents advanced knowledge of Azure. These exams are designed for seasoned Azure professionals with years of experience. They validate your ability to design and implement complex cloud solutions that meet the most demanding business needs. 

Here's what you can expect from expert-level certifications: 

• They require significant practical experience working with Azure in a professional setting. 
• They go beyond core services and into strategic design and solution architecture. 
• They are rarer than associate-level certs and can lead to higher-level jobs and salaries. 

Here is a breakdown of expert-level Azure certifications: 

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305): This certification validates the ability to design and implement complex cloud solutions that address customer business needs. 
• Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400): Validates expertise in designing, implementing and automating DevOps processes for cloud deployments in Azure. 
• Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100): Validates the ability to design and Implement robust security architectures for organizations leveraging Microsoft Azure. 
• Power Platform Solution Architect Expert (PL-600): Validates expertise using Microsoft's low-code platform to build applications, automate workflow and analyze data. 

Specialty-level Azure certs 

These certifications cater to specific areas within the Azure platform, allowing you to showcase in-depth knowledge in a particular domain. They are ideal for experienced Azure professionals who want to specialize in a particular area and further distinguish themselves. 

Here are the certifications offered at the Specialty level: 

• Azure Cosmos DB Developer (DP-420): Validates your expertise in developing applications that leverage Azure Cosmos DB. 
• Azure Virtual Desktop (AZ-140): Tests your ability to design and implement Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) solutions. 
• Azure for SAP Workloads (AZ-120): Focuses on your ability to migrate, deploy, and manage SAP workloads on Microsoft Azure. 

Preparing for Azure certification exams 

Now that you know how to navigate Azure certifications, it's time to equip yourself for exam success. Here are some essential resources and strategies to help you ace the exams. 

First, you need to study. Here are two places to start: 

• Microsoft: Microsoft Learn offers a wealth of resources, including learning modules, instructor-led courses and official practice exams. 
• Official training providers: Supplement your studies with training providers like Infosec, a leader in cybersecurity education. Infosec offers specialized courses, like the Microsoft Azure Dual Certification Boot Camp, that are tailored to specific Azure certifications, focusing on applying your knowledge to real-world scenarios. 

Developing exam prep strategies is important once you've decided which study materials you will take advantage of. Here are some tips to get you started: 

• Create a study plan: Block out dedicated study time each week and create a schedule that covers all the exam objectives. 
• Take practice exams: Utilize Microsoft's official practice exams and those Infosec offers. Taking practice exams under timed conditions helps you identify knowledge gaps, build confidence and hone your test-taking skills. 
• Find help from peers: Join online forums, like Infosec's TechExams, and communities to connect with other Azure enthusiasts and cybersecurity professionals. 

Finally, on Microsoft Azure exam day, it's important to take the multiple-choice and case study-based questions on the exam into account to answer them effectively: 

• Read questions carefully: Take your time to carefully read each question and answer choice before selecting your response. 
• Use the process of elimination: If you're unsure of the correct answer, eliminate the options you know are incorrect. 
• Manage your time: Allocate sufficient time to each question and avoid getting bogged down on one section. Use any remaining time to review your answers and address any uncertainties. 

Integrating Azure certifications into cybersecurity careers 

The cloud revolution is underway, and organizations are increasingly migrating their infrastructure and data to platforms like Microsoft Azure. This shift creates a surge in demand for cybersecurity professionals with skills to secure these cloud environments. 

Azure certifications are the perfect way to demonstrate your proficiency to employers in this environment: 

• Foundational Azure Knowledge (AZ-900): This entry-level certification establishes a solid base in core Azure concepts, giving you a starting point for understanding cloud security principles. 
• Azure Administration (AZ-104): This Associate-level certification validates your ability to manage and configure Azure infrastructure, including security. 
• Azure Security Engineering (AZ-500): This certification equips you with the expertise to design, implement and manage security solutions on the Azure cloud platform. 

These certifications can open doors to career opportunities like: 

• Cloud security engineer: This role involves securing cloud environments, including those built on Azure. The AZ-500 will help you get there. 
• Security architect: They design and implement security solutions. Another role that can benefit from the AZ-500 certification. 
• IT Security Specialist: They are tasked with securing and managing an organization's Azure deployments. Both the AZ-900 and AZ-104 certifications can be useful for this role. 

Azure certifications validate your knowledge, but don't forget the importance of soft skills and practical experience. To ace your next Azure security interview, don't forget to familiarize yourself with the top Microsoft Azure interview questions and answers. 

Make Your Resume Stand Out With a Microsoft Azure Certification

Cloud technologies and services have revolutionized how we manage our IT and business ecosystems. Whether you're new to the field or an experienced professional, a Microsoft Azure certification can help build your skills and accelerate your career.

View Pricing

Is an Azure certification right for your career? 

In our cloud-driven world, cybersecurity professionals with Azure expertise are in high demand. Earning Azure certifications validates your ability to secure this critical platform, giving you a significant edge in the job market. 

These certifications equip you with the foundational understanding of cloud security principles (AZ-900), the ability to manage and configure Azure infrastructure with a security lens (AZ-104) and the advanced skills to design and implement security solutions for Azure environments (AZ-500). 

Whether you're looking to launch your cybersecurity career or add to your existing skillset, Azure certifications are a strategic investment. They demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning, showcase your proficiency in a highly sought-after cloud platform and open doors to new career opportunities. 

Ready to start learning? Explore your Azure training options from Infosec.