🛡️ Microsoft SC-200
(Security Operations Analyst Associate)

🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body

• Full certification name: Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200)

• Issuing organization: Microsoft

• Official website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/security-operations-analyst-associate/

🧩 2. Certification Level and Type

• Level: Intermediate

• Type: Technical (SOC / SIEM / Cloud Defense)

📜 3. Purpose and Goals

• What skills does it certify?
  Monitoring, detecting, investigating, and responding to threats in hybrid environments using Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Purview

• Target roles or profiles:
  SOC Analyst (Tier I/II), Cloud Security Analyst, SIEM Engineer, Detection and Response (D&R) Specialist

• Practical applications:
  Working with Microsoft SIEM/XDR stack for incident triage, rule tuning, threat hunting, and security automation

🎓 4. Prerequisites

• Recommended prior certifications:
  Microsoft SC-900 (Fundamentals), or Security+ / CySA+ for broader context

• Suggested experience:
  1–2 years in a SOC or working with SIEM/XDR tools

• Required technical knowledge:
  Basic KQL, Microsoft 365, Azure services, log management, alert triage, incident response processes

📚 5. Content and Curriculum

• Key domains/modules:

  1. Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

  2. Mitigate threats using Microsoft Defender for Cloud

  3. Mitigate threats using Microsoft Sentinel (SIEM)

  4. Mitigate data exfiltration using Microsoft Purview Information Protection

• Technologies/tools:
  Microsoft Sentinel, Defender for Endpoint/Identity/Cloud Apps, Purview, KQL, Logic Apps

• Framework mapping:
  MITRE ATT&CK, NIST CSF (DE, RS), Microsoft Zero Trust, NICE Framework (PR, DE, RS)

🧪 6. Learning Approach

• Style: Hands-on labs + theoretical

• Labs/environments: Microsoft Learn sandbox, GitHub labs, Azure Trial environments

• Materials:

  • Microsoft Learn (free)

  • Whizlabs/Udemy practice tests

  • John Savill / Thomas Thornton tutorials (YouTube)

• Recommended platforms: Microsoft Learn, GitHub Sentinel Labs, TryHackMe («SOC Level 1»)

📝 7. Exam Format and Details

• Exam name/code: SC-200

• Mode: Online proctored or in-person (Pearson VUE)

• Duration: 100–120 minutes

• Questions: 40–60 (multiple choice, case studies, drag-and-drop, scenario-based)

• Languages: English + several others

• Retake policy: 24-hour wait (1st failure), then 14 days

• Certification validity: 1 year (renewable for free with Microsoft renewal exam)

💰 8. Estimated Cost

• Exam fee: ~$165 USD (varies by region)

• Training cost: Free via Microsoft Learn; ~$20–$50 via Udemy/Whizlabs

• Renewal cost: Free annual renewal via short assessment

🌍 9. Industry Recognition

• Demand/popularity: High in Microsoft-centered SOCs and cloud-native security environments

• Organizations that value it: Microsoft partners, enterprises using Azure AD/365, government/midsize SOCs

• Comparison:

  • More Microsoft/cloud-specific than CySA+ or GCIA

  • Strong pairing with Elastic/Sentinel/Defender environments

  • Complements CySA+, SC-300, and GCLD for full Blue Teaming

💼 10. Career Opportunities

• Job roles:
  Cloud SOC Analyst, Security Operations Engineer, Detection & Response Engineer, Sentinel Engineer

• Suggested paths:
  → SC-900 → SC-200 → SC-300 (Identity) or SC-100 (Architect)
  → SC-200 + CySA+ = balanced cloud/hybrid SOC profile

💵 11. Average Salary

• USA: $75,000–$105,000/year

• Europe: €50,000–€80,000/year

• Salary impact: Strong in Microsoft-heavy environments and MSSPs

• (Sources: LinkedIn, PayScale, Microsoft Learn Partner Reports)

📅 12. Renewal and Maintenance

• Validity: 1 year

• Renewal options:

  • Free renewal via Microsoft Learn (annual, online, open book quiz)

  • Take a more advanced SC-series exam for certification continuity

🧭 13. Final Recommendations

• Ideal for:
  SOC and D&R professionals in Microsoft-centric organizations, or transitioning from traditional to cloud SOC operations

• When to pursue:
  After SC-900 or Security+, or before SC-300/SC-100

• Tips:
  Learn KQL deeply. Practice building analytic rules and playbooks in Sentinel. Use Microsoft Learn labs for guided practice and dashboards.