Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)
Validates expertise in implementing security controls, threat protection, identity and access management, and securing data and applications in Azure.
- Exam fee
- $165
- Typical salary
- $120K–$155K
If you already have Azure experience and need to prove your ability to secure cloud workloads, this certification is a solid investment. If you are new to Azure or looking for a more entry‑level credential, consider a foundational cert first.
What AZ-500 covers
Validates expertise in implementing security controls and threat protection, managing identity and access, and securing data and applications in Azure.
Key topics covered: Identity & access management, Platform protection, Security operations, Data & application security.
Best suited for: Security engineers with Azure experience responsible for securing cloud infrastructure.
Common career paths: Azure Security Engineer, Cloud Security Analyst, Security Architect.
AZ-500 exam details
Exam domains
- Identity & access management
- Platform protection
- Security operations
- Data & application security
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $165
How to prepare for AZ-500
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand the exam outline Review the official Azure Security Engineer domains and get familiar with the key concepts listed in the article. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Deep‑dive into identity & access Study Azure AD, role‑based access, conditional access policies, and practice configuring them in a test tenant. | Week 2‑3 |
| 3 | Platform protection & data security Learn about network security groups, firewalls, encryption, and secure storage; do hands‑on labs to reinforce the material. | Week 4‑5 |
| 4 | Security operations Focus on monitoring, logging, threat detection, and incident response using Azure Sentinel and related tools. | Week 6 |
| 5 | Practice exams & review Take timed practice tests, identify weak spots, and revisit the relevant domains for final polish. | Week 7 |
Jobs and salary with AZ-500
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $120K–$155K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
AZ-500 questions answered
What is the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) certification?
Validates expertise in implementing security controls, threat protection, identity and access management, and securing data and applications in Azure. It is issued by Microsoft and sits in the Cybersecurity field.
Is Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) hard?
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) is rated Intermediate. It assumes some foundational knowledge or entry-level experience.
How much does the Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) exam cost?
The listed exam fee is $165. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with Microsoft before you book.
What salary can I expect with Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)?
Professionals with Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) commonly report pay in the $120K–$155K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for Microsoft Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)?
Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.
Alternatives to AZ-500
| Certification | Vendor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional | ISC2 | Advanced |
| CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker | EC-Council | Intermediate |
| CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA | Beginner |
| CISM - Certified Information Security Manager | ISACA | Advanced |
| Google Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer | Google Cloud | Advanced |