Microsoft SC200 Certification - Security Operations Analyst - Part 1
- brencronin
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Demystifying the Microsoft SC-200 Certification
The Microsoft SC-200 certification is designed for cybersecurity analysts and engineers who work with Microsoft's security solutions. According to Microsoft, the SC-200 course teaches professionals how to investigate, respond to, and hunt for threats using Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender XDR, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud.
Microsoft is a dominant player in the cybersecurity industry, offering a broad suite of security products. However, this vast ecosystem makes the SC-200 certification challenging, as it covers multiple tools and technologies. Your specific role or organization may focus on only a subset of these tools, making it essential to tailor your learning approach.
This post, and future ones, aims to simplify key Microsoft security products covered in the SC-200, providing clear, practical insights to help you become a more effective cybersecurity analyst or engineer within the Microsoft ecosystem.
SC-200 Exam Coverage
The SC-200 certification focuses on mitigating threats across Microsoft's security stack. The core topics include:
Microsoft Defender XDR – Mitigate threats using Defender XDR
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) – Protect endpoints from threats
Microsoft Defender for Identity (MDI) & Entre Identity Protections - Protect Identity threats
Microsoft Defender for Office (MDO) - Email protections
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (MDCA) - Cloud app protections
Microsoft Defender for Cloud (MDC) – Secure cloud workloads
Microsoft Purview – Implement data security and compliance
Microsoft Sentinel Configuration – Set up and manage your Sentinel environment
Log Integration – Connect and analyze logs in Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Sentinel & KQL – Create queries using Kusto Query Language (KQL)
Threat Detection & Investigation – Build detections and investigate incidents
Threat Hunting – Proactively hunt for threats using Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Security Copilot – Leverage AI-powered threat mitigation
My two cents on the current coverage of the Microsoft SC-200 certification
The Microsoft SC-200 certification covers a broad range of cybersecurity topics across Microsoft’s security ecosystem. In fact, many of these areas have separate, specialized certifications dedicated to engineering, implementation, and administration.
For example, Microsoft Defender for Cloud includes securing and collecting log data from Microsoft cloud resources such as VMs and microservices, a domain that extends beyond security into system administration. The reasoning behind this broad scope seems to be that cybersecurity is just one component of system administration, making an all-encompassing certification like SC-200 acceptable.
However, I believe the current SC-200 exam is too broad to effectively assess deep expertise in all these domains. A more structured approach would be to break it down into focused sub-exams, such as:
Microsoft EDR/XDR
Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Threat Hunting & KQL
Microsoft Purview
Microsoft Security Copilot
In this model, Microsoft Defender for Cloud would be covered within Microsoft EDR/XDR and Microsoft Sentinel certifications. Earning at least three out of five of these specialized certifications could then qualify candidates for a broader cybersecurity certification, similar to SC-100: Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Operations Expert. This would allow for deeper dives in training and testing of specific Microsoft cyber systems as well as the underlying concepts they help solve. It would also provide the flexibility for users that don't use Sentinel as their SIEM to focus on specific Microsoft security products related to what they deploy.
Breaking down SC-200 into more focused certifications could enhance both depth and effectiveness in testing real-world expertise. I would be interested to hear what other thoughts on this approach would be?
Microsoft SC-100
Microsoft currently offers the SC-100: Microsoft Certified Cybersecurity Architect Expert certification. The keyword here is 'Architect' which focuses on engineering, implementing and administering these cyber security solutions. To earn this, candidates must pass the SC-100 exam and hold at least one prerequisite certification from the following:
AZ-500: Microsoft Certified Azure Security Engineer Associate
SC-300: Microsoft Certified Identity and Access Administrator Associate
SC-200: Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst Associate
Note: On a typical SC-100 exam the majority of the content is focused around content related to the AZ-500 exam so it makes the most sense to use the AZ-500 as a pre-req fr the SC-100.
SC-200 Exam Topic areas - Overviews
The below section will give a brief overview of the current (2025) SC-200 content areas with ensuing articles diving more deeply into understanding that specific content area so you will better understand the big picture and details of a content area in preparation for the exam.
Microsoft Defender XDR – Mitigate threats using Defender XDR
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint – Protect endpoints from threats
Microsoft Defender for Identity (MDI) & Entre Identity Protections - Protect Identity threats
Microsoft Defender for Office (MDO) - Email protections
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (MDCA) - Cloud app protections
Microsoft Defender for Cloud – Secure cloud workloads
Microsoft Purview – Implement data security and compliance
Microsoft Sentinel Configuration – Set up and manage your Sentinel environment
Log Integration – Connect and analyze logs in Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Sentinel & KQL – Create queries using Kusto Query Language (KQL)
Threat Detection & Investigation – Build detections and investigate incidents
Threat Hunting – Proactively hunt for threats using Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Security Copilot – Leverage AI-powered threat mitigation
Microsoft Defender XDR – Mitigate threats using Defender XDR
Endpoint & eXtended Detection and Response (EDR/XDR) systems have become one of the most essential tools in an organization's cybersecurity defense arsenal. However, running a truly robust cybersecurity program requires more than simply purchasing a vendor solution and assuming you're fully protected. While EDR/XDRs are powerful, capable of detecting and blocking numerous threats, and hence a vital component of a strong cybersecurity strategy, their effectiveness depends on two fundamental factors:
Understanding what the tool is protecting: It's critical to have a clear grasp of the systems, data, and assets the EDR/XDR is designed to safeguard. Without this understanding, gaps in coverage can remain undetected.
Deployment and operation: The real power of any cybersecurity tool lies in how it is implemented, configured, and maintained. Prevention and detection are only as strong as the strategy behind their use.
Defender XDR - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint – Protect endpoints from threats
Microsoft Defender EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) is a component of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint that provides advanced threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities across endpoints. It continuously monitors endpoint activities and behavioral signals to identify suspicious patterns, correlates signals with threat intelligence, and uses machine learning to detect both known and unknown threats. When a threat is detected, Defender EDR offers detailed alerts, automated investigation, and response actions to contain and remediate attacks, reducing dwell time and supporting security operations workflows. It integrates with Microsoft’s security stack to enable proactive hunting, incident management, and cross-environment visibility.
Defender XDR Microsoft Defender for Identity – Protect against identity Threats
Identity threat and hacks are becoming so ubiquitous that there is a new domain of cyber tooling referred to as Identity Threat Detection & response' (ITDR) tools.
1. Monitor User Behavior and Activities
MDI continuously analyzes user activity, tracking events such as permission changes and group modifications. By establishing a baseline of normal behavior, it detects anomalies that may indicate malicious activity.
2. Reduce Identity Attack Surface
By analyzing authentication patterns and security posture, MDI provides actionable insights to strengthen identity protection and mitigate vulnerabilities.
3. Detect Attacks Across the Kill Chain
MDI helps identify threats at various attack stages, from low-privileged user compromises to domain-level breaches. Key areas of detection include:
Reconnaissance: Detects rogue users or threat actors attempting to gather intelligence on user accounts, group memberships, and IP addresses.
Compromised Credentials:Â Identifies brute-force attacks, failed authentication attempts, and suspicious group membership changes.
Lateral Movement: Flags Pass-the-Ticket, Pass-the-Hash, and Overpass-the-Hash techniques used to escalate access.
Domain Dominance: Recognizes DCSync attacks, Golden Ticket usage, and remote code execution attempts that indicate domain compromise.
By leveraging MDI’s real-time analytics and behavioral insights, organizations can detect, investigate, and respond to identity-based threats before they escalate.
For more details on Microsoft sign-in and user risk detections, refer to their official documentation, Microsoft Entra ID Protection Risk Concepts: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/id-protection/concept-identity-protection-risks
Defender XDR - Microsoft Defender for Office
Microsoft Defender for Office 365 (MDO) is a cloud-based email and collaboration security service that protects organizations from advanced threats such as phishing, Business Email Compromise (BEC), malware, and zero-day attacks. It extends native Exchange Online Protection by using machine learning, behavioral analysis, and threat intelligence to detect malicious links and attachments through capabilities like Safe Links and Safe Attachments. MDO also provides post-delivery remediation, automated investigation and response, and rich reporting to help security teams identify, contain, and remediate email-based threats across email, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
Defender XDR - Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps (MDCA) is a cloud access security broker (CASB) that provides visibility, governance, and threat protection across cloud applications and services. It enables organizations to discover and control app usage, detect risky behaviors through anomaly and activity policies, and protect sensitive data using file inspection, trainable classifiers, and information protection integrations. MDCA also supports conditional access enforcement, session controls, and automated remediation, allowing security teams to reduce risk from compromised accounts, unsanctioned apps, and data exfiltration across SaaS environments.
Defender XDR - Microsoft Defender for Cloud
The Defender for Cloud solution is designed to enhance visibility, security posture, and threat protection across multi-cloud and hybrid environments.
Core Components of Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP) – Focuses on securing cloud workloads by protecting virtual machines, containers, and other cloud-based resources.
Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) – Helps strengthen and manage cloud security posture, identifying misconfigurations and enforcing best practices.
DevSecOps – Unifies DevOps security management, integrating security into the development lifecycle to minimize vulnerabilities in cloud-native applications.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud extends beyond Azure, offering security solutions for AWS, Google Cloud, and other providers. This broad coverage aligns with Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM), which focuses on controlling access to cloud resources and enforcing least-privilege access to reduce security risks.
Additionally, Microsoft Defender for Cloud contributes to a larger security framework known as Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) or Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM). CNAPP unifies CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and DevSecOps into a comprehensive cloud security strategy, ensuring end-to-end protection for cloud-native applications and infrastructure.
Microsoft Purview – Implement data security and compliance
Microsoft Purview is a unified data protection and governance platform that combines legacy Microsoft security tools with new, advanced capabilities to help organizations safeguard their data. It provides a broad range of solutions, enabling multiple teams within an organization to collaborate effectively in achieving data protection, governance, and compliance.
Why Microsoft Purview Stands Out
Extensive Coverage – It integrates Data Governance, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Insider Risk Management, eDiscovery, and more, eliminating the need for multiple third-party solutions.
Seamless Microsoft Integration – If your organization is a Microsoft-centric environment, Purview provides deep visibility and control over data across Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and Azure. Additionally, it integrates security alerts directly into Microsoft Defender, streamlining SOC monitoring and incident response.
Core Areas of Microsoft Purview
1. Data Governance
Microsoft Purview Data Governance offers a centralized approach to managing and protecting data across on-premises, multi-cloud, and SaaS environments.
2. Data Security
Purview enhances data security by offering robust data protection, loss prevention, and insider threat management tools.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP):
Insider Risk Management:
Privileged Access Management (PAM):
Information Barriers (IB):
3. Risk & Compliance
Purview offers compliance monitoring and eDiscovery tools to help organizations manage regulatory requirements and legal obligations.
Compliance Monitoring:
eDiscovery:
Microsoft Sentinel Configuration – Set up and manage your Sentinel environment
SIEM, or Security Information and Event Management, is a security solution that helps organizations identify and respond to potential security threats by collecting, analyzing, and correlating security events and data from various sources. Sentinel is Microsoft Cloud Native SIEM product. Comparable products to Sentinel include:
Splunk
Elastic
CrowdStrike Falcon scale
Google SecOps
Cortex XSIAM
Log Integration – Connect and analyze logs in Microsoft Sentinel
Log integration in Microsoft Sentinel is a foundational capability for the SC-200 Security Analyst exam, enabling centralized collection, normalization, and analysis of security data across an organization. Sentinel ingests logs from Microsoft services, on-premises infrastructure, cloud platforms, and third-party solutions using built-in data connectors, the Log Analytics agent, and APIs. Once ingested into a Log Analytics workspace, data can be queried using Kusto Query Language (KQL), correlated across sources, and used to drive analytics rules, threat hunting, workbooks, and automated response playbooks. Effective log integration ensures broad visibility, improves detection accuracy, and supports end-to-end incident investigation and response within Microsoft Sentinel.
Microsoft Sentinel & KQL – Create queries using Kusto Query Language (KQL)
Threat Detection & Investigation – Build detections and investigate incidents
Threat Hunting – Proactively hunt for threats using Microsoft Sentinel
Microsoft Security Copilot – Leverage AI-powered threat mitigation
Microsoft has named its Artificial intelligence (AI) product Copilot. Microsoft currently offers the following AI products. Microsoft Security Copilot is the AI product that is covered in the SC-200 exam.
Copilot for Microsoft 365: This version is designed for businesses and integrates AI into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
Copilot for Sales: This version helps sales teams maximize effectiveness and close more deals.
Copilot for Service: This version improves service experiences and boosts agent productivity.
Copilot Studio: This allows organizations to create custom AI experiences for employees and customers.
Copilot in Azure: This version is designed for developers and cloud infrastructure.
GitHub Copilot: This version is designed for developers to help with code generation and other tasks.
Microsoft 365 Copilot for Finance: This version helps optimize financial processes.
Microsoft Security Copilot: This version is designed to enhance security.
Microsoft Security Copilot is an AI-powered assistant designed to streamline security operations. Users input natural language prompts, and Copilot responds with AI-generated insights to assist in investigations, threat analysis, and security decision-making.
Microsoft SC-200 Certification - Courses
There are many outstanding online trainings for the SC200 certification.