Preparing for the AZ 500 Exam in 2022

The Azure certifications provided by Microsoft provide a considerable boost to anybody’s career. You can choose the Microsoft certification based on your skills, job, and future professional goals. If you are currently working on managing security for Azure or aim to do so in the future, you should take the AZ 500 exam. Passing the exam and becoming a certified professional can elevate your career to an all-new level. Needless to say, the exam is very challenging and will test your skills intensively. This is why you must prepare for it adequately to ace this exam. 

Before devising a preparation strategy, it is crucial to understand the exam paper’s pattern fully.

Understanding the Question Paper Pattern

      Managing Identity and Access (30-35%)

This module elaborates on Azure Active Directory, managing and configuring AD identities, managing access controls, customizing RBAC roles, and interpreting permissions. So, thoroughly practice such types of questions.

Implementing platform protection (15-20%)

Compared to managing identity and access, the questions from this module are fewer. However, it’s better that you have a solid grasp of concepts such as Virtual Networks authentication, encryption, and Network Security Groups.

Manage Security Operations (25-30%)

This module explains Azure Monitor, Azure Security Centre, Azure Sentinel, and configuring security policies. The questions based on this section will focus more on client requirements for the management and configuration of security policies. 

Secure data and applications (20-25%)

In this Azure course, the security for databases and storage is elaborated on, with the help of concepts such as configuring Azure SQL Database Advanced Threat Protection, access management to Key Vault, backup and restoring Key Vault items, etc.

Tips to Prepare for the AZ 500 Exam

Study Materials and Resources

A Microsft Azure certification is one of the most challenging certifications, especially the AZ 500. Therefore, you should use as many available resources as possible to pass the exam effectively.

Microsoft Official Courseware

This resource provides you access to practice labs and hands-on sessions. It is an excellent opportunity to get hands-on practice and evaluate your application skills.

Case Studies

There is no better way of understanding client requirements. Use case studies and try to formulate a pattern so that you will better understand how clients function and what their requirements generally are.

Instructor-led training

Instructional training is your best bet if you are somebody who finds self-study difficult and you need a little extra push and guidance. With the help of videos, instructors will give you the best Azure training. They will guide you step by step and help you prepare for the exam.

Practice Questions

Cloud provides all those attempting this Microsoft certification course with unlimited access to MCQs, a performance tracker, and a library. Utilize this resource to the fullest. Practice questions are the best way of testing your level of preparedness. If you’re lacking in some areas, the performance tracker will help you identify areas that require more work so that you can realign your strategy accordingly. 

Pre-Exam Tips

You should go through the hands-on lab experience to understand how to implement solutions in Azure fully.

• Authentication and authorization are significantly focused on in identity services. 
• Pay more attention to Azure Active Directory, conditional access policies, identity protection, etc.
• Networking topics such as VNets, SubNets, and Firewalls are vital too, so don’t ignore them.
• Azure blueprint, Azure policies, and RBAC may be asked too.
• Azure Sentinel and Azure Security Center questions make an appearance almost every time. The best way of preparing for this is by getting tons of hands-on lab practice.

To Conclude

The AZ 500 exam is challenging for sure, but not impossible. Ensure that you practice diligently using the strategies mentioned above. Utilize all the resources available to you smartly, and approach the exam with a clear and relaxed mind.