The AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies exam is designed for Azure security professionals who implement, manage, and monitor security across Azure, hybrid, and multicloud environments. Microsoft currently measures four major skill areas: identity and access, networking, compute/storage/databases, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud with Microsoft Sentinel.
Important: Microsoft has announced that AZ-500 will retire on August 31, 2026.
What Is the AZ-500 Certification?
AZ-500 validates practical Azure security skills. Candidates should understand Microsoft Entra ID, Azure RBAC, networking, storage, compute security, Key Vault, Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft Sentinel.
Microsoft recommends practical experience with Azure administration and hybrid environments.
AZ-500 Exam Topics
Secure Identity and Access
This section covers:
- Microsoft Entra ID
- Azure RBAC
- Custom roles
- Privileged Identity Management
- MFA
- Conditional Access
- Managed identities
- Service principals
- App registrations
Exam weight: 15–20%.
Secure Networking
Study:
- Network Security Groups
- Application Security Groups
- User-defined routes
- VNet peering
- VPN Gateway
- Private Endpoints
- Private Link
- Azure Firewall
- Application Gateway
- Azure Front Door
- Web Application Firewall
- DDoS Protection
Exam weight: 20–25%.
Secure Compute, Storage and Databases
Focus on:
- Azure Bastion
- Just-in-time VM access
- AKS security
- Container security
- Azure Container Registry
- Disk encryption
- Storage access controls
- Azure Key Vault
- Azure SQL security
- Transparent Data Encryption
- Dynamic data masking
Exam weight: 20–25%.
Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel
This is the largest exam section.
Study:
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Secure Score
- Security recommendations
- Compliance standards
- Defender for Servers
- Defender for Storage
- Defender for Databases
- Vulnerability management
- Microsoft Sentinel
- Data connectors
- Analytics rules
- Automation
- Security alerts
Exam weight: 30–35%.
How to Prepare for AZ-500
Learn Microsoft Entra ID
Understand RBAC, MFA, Conditional Access, PIM, managed identities, and application permissions.
Practice Azure Networking
Work with NSGs, Private Endpoints, Azure Firewall, VPN Gateway, WAF, and secure network architectures.
Study Workload Security
Review VM security, AKS, storage protection, disk encryption, Key Vault, and Azure SQL security.
Focus on Defender and Sentinel
Spend additional time on Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel because this area has the highest exam weighting.
Practice Scenario Questions
Focus on identifying the best Azure security solution for a given business or technical requirement.
AZ-500 Exam Questions and Answers
Q.1 Which service manages identities and access in Azure?
A. Microsoft Entra ID
B. Azure Monitor
C. Azure Firewall
D. Azure Storage
Answer: A. Microsoft Entra ID
Q.2 Which feature provides temporary privileged access?
A. Privileged Identity Management
B. Azure DNS
C. Azure Backup
D. Azure CDN
Answer: A. Privileged Identity Management
Q.3 Which service protects web applications from common attacks?
A. Web Application Firewall
B. Azure Storage
C. Azure DNS
D. Azure Bastion
Answer: A. Web Application Firewall
Q.4 Which service helps manage cloud security posture?
A. Microsoft Defender for Cloud
B. Azure DevOps
C. Azure Files
D. Azure DNS
Answer: A. Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Q.5 Which service provides SIEM capabilities for security monitoring?
A. Microsoft Sentinel
B. Azure Storage
C. Azure Functions
D. Azure App Service
Answer: A. Microsoft Sentinel
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AZ-500?
AZ-500 is the Microsoft Azure Security Technologies exam for Azure security professionals.
What should I study first?
Start with Microsoft Entra ID, RBAC, networking security, Key Vault, Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft Sentinel.
Is AZ-500 still available?
Yes, but Microsoft currently lists August 31, 2026 as the retirement date.
What score is required to pass?
Microsoft states that a score of 700 or greater is required to pass.
Is hands-on practice important?
Yes. Practical Azure security exercises can help you understand how security controls work together.
Final Thoughts
AZ-500 preparation should focus on identity, network security, workload protection, Key Vault, Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft Sentinel.
Give extra attention to Defender for Cloud and Sentinel because they represent the largest current exam domain.
Since AZ-500 is scheduled to retire on August 31, 2026, check Microsoft's official exam information before booking your exam.
Start your AZ-500 practice test today.
Written By:Sudheer Kumar
Published on: 19/08/2026
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