How to prepare for Microsoft Exam SC-200?

Microsoft Exam SC-200, also known as the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst certification exam, is designed to validate a candidate’s skills in performing threat intelligence, analyzing and responding to security incidents, and implementing security solutions. As the demand for skilled security professionals continues to rise, passing the SC-200 exam can be a valuable asset to your career in cybersecurity.

However, preparing for any Microsoft certification exam can be a challenging task, requiring dedication, time, and effort. In this blog post, we will guide you through the essential steps you need to take to prepare for the Microsoft SC-200 exam successfully. We will cover the exam objectives, study materials, and practice resources that you should use to build your knowledge and skills in security operations analysis.

Whether you’re a security professional seeking to validate your expertise or a beginner looking to start your cybersecurity career, this blog post will provide you with the necessary tools to prepare for the Microsoft SC-200 exam with confidence. So, let’s dive in and explore the best practices to help you ace the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst certification exam.

Before moving ahead, let’s checkout some sample questions on SC-200 exam.

Scenario:

You are a security analyst for a company that uses Microsoft Azure as its primary cloud platform. You are responsible for monitoring the security of the company’s environment and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.

1. You need to configure a security solution that can automatically block access to malicious IP addresses. Which Azure service should you use?
A. Azure Security Center
B. Azure Advanced Threat Protection
C. Azure Information Protection
D. Azure Firewall

2. Your company needs to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Which Azure service can help you ensure compliance with this standard?
A. Azure Sentinel
B. Azure Security Center
C. Azure Advanced Threat Protection
D. Azure Key Vault

3. You need to identify potential vulnerabilities in your company’s web application. Which Azure service can help you accomplish this task?
A. Azure Sentinel
B. Azure Security Center
C. Azure Advanced Threat Protection
D. Azure Application Gateway

4. Your company needs to monitor the security of its Azure environment in real-time. Which Azure service can help you accomplish this task?
A. Azure Sentinel
B. Azure Security Center
C. Azure Advanced Threat Protection
D. Azure Monitor

Answers:

1. D. Azure Firewall can automatically block access to malicious IP addresses. It provides a network-level security solution that can inspect and filter traffic based on source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols.
2. B. Azure Security Center can help you ensure compliance with the PCI DSS standard. It provides a compliance dashboard that can help you assess your environment’s compliance status and offers recommendations for meeting the standard’s requirements.
3. B. Azure Security Center can help you identify potential vulnerabilities in your company’s web application. It provides a vulnerability assessment feature that can scan your application and generate a report that lists any vulnerabilities found.
4. A. Azure Sentinel can help you monitor the security of your company’s Azure environment in real-time. It uses machine learning algorithms and built-in threat intelligence to detect threats and generate alerts for your security team to investigate.

Responsibilities of a Security Operations Analyst:

The burdens of a Security Operations Analyst Associate include threat management, monitoring, and answering by practicing the kind of security solutions over their condition. Using Microsoft Azure Sentinel, Azure Defender, Microsoft 365 Defender, and third-party security results, the function examines, responds to, and reviews for intimidation. As the Security Operations Analyst Associate is in charge of the project’s operational generation, they are a key player in the development and implementation of the technologies.

Now, let us get to the details!

Microsoft Exam SC-200 Glossary

Here is a glossary of terms related to Microsoft Exam SC-200:

• Azure Security Center: A unified security management system for Azure services, providing advanced threat protection across hybrid cloud workloads and enabling compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Azure Sentinel: A cloud-native security information and event management (SIEM) service that provides intelligent security analytics and threat intelligence across the enterprise.
• Cloud App Security: A cloud-based service that provides visibility into cloud application usage, detects and responds to cloud-based threats, and enforces policies across cloud applications.
• Compliance: The process of adhering to regulatory and industry standards, guidelines, and best practices for data protection and security.
• Cybersecurity: The practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and data from digital attacks, theft, and damage.
• Data classification: The process of categorizing data based on its sensitivity and value to the organization, and applying appropriate security controls and protection measures.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): The process of identifying, classifying, and protecting sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access or data leakage.
• Encryption: The process of converting data into a code or cipher to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or interception.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM): The process of managing and controlling user access to resources and services, including authentication, authorization, and identity management.
• Incident response: The process of detecting, investigating, and responding to security incidents or breaches in a timely and effective manner.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A security mechanism that requires users to provide multiple forms of authentication to access a system or service, typically a combination of something they know (such as a password) and something they have (such as a security token).
• Network security: The practice of securing computer networks and data from unauthorized access, theft, or damage.
• Risk management: The process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks to the organization, including cyber threats, compliance violations, and operational risks.
• Security assessment: The process of evaluating and testing the effectiveness of security controls and measures to identify vulnerabilities and risks.
• Security policy: A set of guidelines and rules that define the organization’s security requirements, objectives, and practices.
• Threat detection: The process of identifying and alerting on potential security threats or attacks using automated tools and techniques.
• Vulnerability management: The process of identifying and prioritizing security vulnerabilities and applying appropriate remediation or mitigation measures to reduce risk.

Exam preparation resources for Microsoft Exam SC-200

Microsoft Exam SC-200 is the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst certification exam. This exam is designed to test a candidate’s knowledge and skills in identifying and mitigating security threats using Microsoft security solutions. Here are some official resources to help you prepare for the SC-200 exam:

1. Exam details and registration:
   • Exam page: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/sc-200
   • Exam registration: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-exams/exam-sc-200.aspx
2. Exam skills outline and learning paths:
   • Exam skills outline: https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RE4YGBg
   • Microsoft Learn SC-200 learning path: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-security-operations-analyst/
3. Study materials:
   • Microsoft Docs Security Center documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security-center/
   • Microsoft Docs Azure Sentinel documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sentinel/
   • Microsoft Cloud Workshop: Security Operations: https://microsoftcloudworkshop.com/Security-Operations/
   • Microsoft Security Community: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/security-compliance-identity/bd-p/Security_Compliance_and_Identity
4. Practice tests and labs:
   • Microsoft official practice exam: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-exam-practice.aspx
   • Azure Security Center hands-on lab: https://www.microsoft.com/handsonlabs/SelfPacedLabs/?storyId=story://bf35a1b1-7e41-49b8-9d18-905fdd0737da&wt.mc_id=modinfra-5963-dmitryso
   • Azure Sentinel hands-on lab: https://www.microsoft.com/handsonlabs/SelfPacedLabs/?storyId=story://11821f6d-bfe6-4f2c-baed-59f7a8ce54cc&wt.mc_id=modinfra-5963-dmitryso

Remember that these resources are only a starting point for your preparation. It is recommended that you supplement your learning with additional resources and practical experience in the field. Good luck with your exam!

Expert tips to prepare for Microsoft Exam SC-200

Here are some expert tips:

• Understand the Exam Objectives: Review the official exam objectives provided by Microsoft to understand the topics and skills you need to master for the exam. This will help you focus your preparation efforts and identify any areas where you may need additional study.
• Study the Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft provides extensive documentation on their security technologies and services. Reviewing this documentation can help you gain a deeper understanding of the concepts covered on the exam.
• Get Hands-On Experience: Try out the various security tools and technologies in a lab environment to gain hands-on experience. This will help you better understand how they work and how to troubleshoot issues that may arise.
• Take Practice Exams: Taking practice exams can help you assess your knowledge and identify any gaps in your understanding. Microsoft provides official practice exams, and there are also many third-party resources available.
• Join a Study Group: Joining a study group can provide a supportive environment for learning and can help you stay motivated. You can find study groups online or through local technology groups.
• Attend Training Sessions: Consider attending a training course or workshop to deepen your knowledge of the exam topics. Microsoft offers official training courses, and there are also many third-party training providers.
• Stay Current: Keep up with the latest developments in Microsoft security technologies and services by reading industry blogs, attending conferences, and participating in online forums.

By following these tips and putting in the necessary time and effort, you can increase your chances of passing the Microsoft Exam SC-200 and earning your Microsoft Security Operations Analyst certification.

Exam Overview

• Firstly, the (SC-200) Security Operations Analyst examination exam fee is $165 USD.
• Secondly, discussing about the Microsoft Security Analyst exam questions, there will be 40-60 questions.
• Thirdly, it is accessible in the Japanese, Spanish, English, Korean, French, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), German, Russian, Portuguese (Brazil), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Italian languages.
• Next, the required marks for passing the Security Operations Analyst is 700 on a range of 1-1000.
• Lastly, the SC-200 exam format is multiple choice and multiple response questions.

Concern Areas for Exam: SC-200

The SC-200 covers the following topics

Manage a security operations environment (20–25%)

Configure settings in Microsoft Defender XDR

• Configure a connection from Defender XDR to a Sentinel workspace (Microsoft Documentation: Connect Microsoft Sentinel to Microsoft Defender XDR)
• Configure alert and vulnerability notification rules (Microsoft Documentation: Configure alert notifications in Microsoft Defender XDR)
• Configure Microsoft Defender for Endpoint advanced features
• Configure endpoint rules settings, including indicators and web content filtering (Microsoft Documentation: Web content filtering)
• Manage automated investigation and response capabilities in Microsoft Defender XDR (Microsoft Documentation: Configure automated investigation and response capabilities in Microsoft Defender XDR)
• Configure automatic attack disruption in Microsoft Defender XDR (Microsoft Documentation: Automatic attack disruption in Microsoft Defender XDR)

Manage assets and environments

• Configure and manage device groups, permissions, and automation levels in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (Microsoft Documentation: Configure automated investigation and remediation capabilities in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint)
• Identify and remediate unmanaged devices in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
• Manage resources by using Azure Arc (Microsoft Documentation: Azure Arc overview)
• Connect environments to Microsoft Defender for Cloud (by using multi-cloud account management)
• Discover and remediate unprotected resources by using Defender for Cloud (Microsoft Documentation: Remediate recommendations)
• Identify and remediate devices at risk by using Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management (Microsoft Documentation: What is Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management)

Design and configure a Microsoft Sentinel workspace

• Plan a Microsoft Sentinel workspace
• Configure Microsoft Sentinel roles (Microsoft Documentation: Roles and permissions in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Specify Azure RBAC roles for Microsoft Sentinel configuration
• Design and configure Microsoft Sentinel data storage, including log types and log retention (Microsoft Documentation: Configure a data retention policy for a table in a Log Analytics workspace)
• Manage multiple workspaces by using Workspace manager and Azure Lighthouse (Microsoft Documentation: Centrally manage multiple Microsoft Sentinel workspaces with workspace manager (Preview))

Ingest data sources in Microsoft Sentinel

• Identify data sources to be ingested for Microsoft Sentinel (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Sentinel data connectors)
• Implement and use Content hub solutions (Microsoft Documentation: About Microsoft Sentinel content and solutions)
• Configure and use Microsoft connectors for Azure resources, including Azure Policy and diagnostic settings (Microsoft Documentation: Connect Microsoft Sentinel to other Microsoft services by using diagnostic settings-based connections)
• Configure bidirectional synchronization between Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Defender XDR integration with Microsoft Sentinel)
• Plan and configure Syslog and Common Event Format (CEF) event collections (Microsoft Documentation: Get CEF-formatted logs from your device or appliance into Microsoft Sentinel)
• Plan and configure collection of Windows Security events by using data collection rules, including Windows Event Forwarding (WEF)
• Configure threat intelligence connectors, including platform, TAXII, upload indicators API, and MISP (Microsoft Documentation: Connect your threat intelligence platform to Microsoft Sentinel)
• Create custom log tables in the workspace to store ingested data

Configure protections and detections (15–20%)

Configure protections in Microsoft Defender security technologies

• Configure policies for Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (Microsoft Documentation: Control cloud apps with policies)
• Configure policies for Microsoft Defender for Office 365
• Configure security policies for Microsoft Defender for Endpoints, including attack surface reduction (ASR) rules (Microsoft Documentation: Enable attack surface reduction rules)
• Configure cloud workload protections in Microsoft Defender for Cloud

Configure detection in Microsoft Defender XDR

• Configure and manage custom detections (Microsoft Documentation: Create and manage custom detections rules)
• Configure alert tuning (Microsoft Documentation: Investigate alerts in Microsoft Defender XDR)
• Configure deception rules in Microsoft Defender XDR (Microsoft Documentation: Configure the deception capability in Microsoft Defender XDR)

Configure detections in Microsoft Sentinel

• Classify and analyze data by using entities (Microsoft Documentation: Entities in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Configure scheduled query rules, including KQL (Microsoft Documentation: Create a custom analytics rule from scratch)
• Configure near-real-time (NRT) query rules, including KQL (Microsoft Documentation: Detect threats quickly with near-real-time (NRT) analytics rules in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Manage analytics rules from Content hub (Microsoft Documentation: Discover and manage Microsoft Sentinel out-of-the-box content)
• Configure anomaly detection analytics rules
• Configure the Fusion rule (Microsoft Documentation: Configure multistage attack detection (Fusion) rules in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Query Microsoft Sentinel data by using ASIM parsers (Microsoft Documentation: Using the Advanced Security Information Model (ASIM))
• Manage and use threat indicators (Microsoft Documentation: Work with threat indicators in Microsoft Sentinel)

Manage incident response (35–40%)

Respond to alerts and incidents in Microsoft Defender XDR

• Investigate and remediate threats to Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive (Microsoft Documentation: Threat investigation and response)
• Investigate and remediate threats in email by using Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (Microsoft Documentation: Email analysis in investigations for Microsoft Defender for Office 365)
• Investigate and remediate ransomware and business email compromise incidents identified by automatic attack disruption
• Investigate and remediate compromised entities identified by Microsoft Purview data loss prevention (DLP) policies
• Investigate and remediate threats identified by Microsoft Purview insider risk policies (Microsoft Documentation: Get started with insider risk management)
• Investigate and remediate alerts and incidents identified by Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Microsoft Documentation: Security alerts and incidents)
• Investigate and remediate security risks identified by Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (Microsoft Documentation: Investigate cloud app risks and suspicious activity)
• Investigate and remediate compromised identities in Microsoft Entra ID (Microsoft Documentation: Remediate risks and unblock users)
• Investigate and remediate security alerts from Microsoft Defender for Identity (Microsoft Documentation: Investigate Defender for Identity security alerts in Microsoft Defender XDR)
• Manage actions and submissions in the Microsoft Defender portal (Microsoft Documentation: Use the Submissions page to submit suspected spam, phish, URLs, legitimate email getting blocked, and email attachments to Microsoft)

Respond to alerts and incidents identified by Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

• Investigate timeline of compromised devices (Microsoft Documentation: Investigate devices in the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Devices list)
• Perform actions on the device, including live response and collecting investigation packages
• Perform evidence and entity investigation (Microsoft Documentation: Perform evidence and entities investigations using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint)

Enrich investigations by using other Microsoft tools

• Investigate threats by using unified audit Log (Microsoft Documentation: Investigate threats by using audit features in Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Purview Standard)
• Investigate threats by using Content Search
• Perform threat hunting by using Microsoft Graph activity logs (Microsoft Documentation: Access Microsoft Graph activity logs)

Manage incidents in Microsoft Sentinel

• Triage incidents in Microsoft Sentinel (Microsoft Documentation: Navigate and investigate incidents in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Investigate incidents in Microsoft Sentinel (Microsoft Documentation: Investigate incidents with Microsoft Sentinel)
• Respond to incidents in Microsoft Sentinel (Microsoft Documentation: Respond to an incident using Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft Defender XDR)

Configure security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) in Microsoft Sentinel

• Create and configure automation rules (Microsoft Documentation: Create and use Microsoft Sentinel automation rules to manage response)
• Create and configure Microsoft Sentinel playbooks (Microsoft Documentation: Automate threat response with playbooks in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Configure analytic rules to trigger automation (Microsoft Documentation: Migrate your Microsoft Sentinel alert-trigger playbooks to automation rules)
• Trigger playbooks manually from alerts and incidents (Microsoft Documentation: Supported triggers and actions in Microsoft Sentinel playbooks)
• Run playbooks on On-premises resources

Perform threat hunting (15–20%)

Hunt for threats by using KQL

• Identify threats by using Kusto Query Language (KQL) (Microsoft Documentation: Kusto Query Language (KQL) overview)
• Interpret threat analytics in the Microsoft Defender portal (Microsoft Documentation: Threat analytics in Microsoft Defender XDR)
• Create custom hunting queries by using KQL (Microsoft Documentation: Threat hunting in Microsoft Sentinel)

Hunt for threats by using Microsoft Sentinel

• Analyze attack vector coverage by using the MITRE ATT&CK in Microsoft Sentinel (Microsoft Documentation: Understand security coverage by the MITRE ATT&CK® framework)
• Customize content gallery hunting queries (Microsoft Documentation: Advanced hunting query best practices)
• Use hunting bookmarks for data investigations (Microsoft Documentation: Keep track of data during hunting with Microsoft Sentinel)
• Monitor hunting queries by using Livestream (Microsoft Documentation: Detect threats by using hunting livestream in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Retrieve and manage archived log data (Microsoft Documentation: Restore archived logs from search)
• Create and manage search jobs (Microsoft Documentation: Search across long time spans in large datasets)

Analyze and interpret data by using workbooks

• Activate and customize Microsoft Sentinel workbook templates (Microsoft Documentation: Visualize and monitor your data by using workbooks in Microsoft Sentinel)
• Create custom workbooks that include KQL
• Configure visualizations

Preparatory Guide for Microsoft Exam: SC-200

It is time to acknowledge some amazing learning comfort for becoming the Security Operations Analyst Associate. Let us originate with the renewed SC-200 study guide that will support the candidate to improve their preparation respectively.

1. Microsoft Learning Platform 

Microsoft shares the SC-200 learning paths, the applicant should return the standard site of Microsoft. The candidate can take all potential knowledge on the standard site. The candidate will discover several Microsoft Security Operations Analyst learning pathways and documentation. Finding relevant content on the Microsoft site is quite a comfortable task. Also, one can obtain the guide for the Exam SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst on the official site of Microsoft. 

Refer to the following suggested learning paths-

SC-200 part 1: Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint– Executing the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint program to identify, review, and react to seasoned threats. This learning path adjusts with the exam SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst.

SC-200 part 2: Mitigate threats using Microsoft 365 Defender– Analyzing threat data beyond domains and immediately remediate warnings with built-in orchestration and mechanization in Microsoft 365 Defender. This learning path follows with exam SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst.

2. Microsoft Documentation

Microsoft Documentation is crucial for passing the SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst exam. Each topic related to the important test will be documented for the applicants. This is a crucial step in becoming a Certified Security Operations Analyst.

• Defining rule query logic & configuring settings
• Planning for the Azure Sentinel
• Remediating risks in Azure AD
• Genearting a custom analytics rule with a query
• Gathering data from Linux-based resources using Syslog, etc

Refer to the above-mentioned course framework for all Microsoft Documentations!

3. Instructor-Led Training

The SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst training offerings that Microsoft presents itself are provided on their website. Instructor-led training is a must-have resource for preparing for a test like the SC-200. On the Microsoft website, the candidate can find the instructor-led training on the page of the demanding test. There are a lot of Microsoft SC-200 training courses available before the test. Microsoft’s suggested training regimen is as follows.

Course SC-200T00-A: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst

4. Books and Guides 

The subsequent step within the preparatory model should be books and guides. The applicant requires to urge those books that are supplemented with information. Candidates must study guides and books which can clearly help them to seek out the knowledge about the accepted exam.

• Exam Ref SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst by Yuri Diogenes, Jake Mowrer, et al

5. Join a Study Group 

The candidate must obtain and engage in knowledge in order to become a Certified Security Operations Analyst. As a result, we encourage that you join certain research groups where everyone may discuss their ideas with others who have the same purpose. This will have a direct impact on the applicant’s preparedness.

6. Evaluate yourself with Practice Test

Checking hands-on Practice exams is the most important step. Microsoft SC-200 Practice Tests are the ones that guarantee the claimant’s education. There are several practice exams available on the internet currently, and the applicant may select the one that best suits their needs. The practice exam will help you prepare for the Microsoft Security Operations Analyst Exam SC-200. So, get started right away!

To Conclude!

Microsoft constantly growing its learning pathways and arrangements to support the candidate and their obligation to keep in step with today’s troublesome and increasing IT environments. This most advanced upgraded certification will improve the candidate’s learning to keep speed with today’s professional commitments. So, start the preparation immediately with Testpreptraining!