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A current guide to AZ-500, including the January 22, 2026 skills measured update, August 31, 2026 retirement notice, 100-minute exam timing, 700 passing score, and official security domains for identity, networking, compute, storage, databases, Defender for Cloud, and Sentinel.
AZ-500 remains active until Microsoft's listed retirement date. Preparation should focus on practical Azure and hybrid security administration, Microsoft Entra ID, Defender for Cloud, Sentinel, governance, monitoring, and remediation workflows.
Use these points before building a Microsoft Azure Security Engineer study plan.
The Azure Security Engineer Associate exam is AZ-500.
Microsoft says AZ-500 retires on August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.
Microsoft lists the current skills measured as of January 22, 2026.
The Microsoft exam page lists 100 minutes to complete the assessment.
Microsoft states that a score of 700 or greater is required to pass.
Identity and access is 15-20%, networking and compute/storage/databases are each 20-25%, and Defender for Cloud plus Sentinel is 30-35%.
Microsoft says AZ-500 retires on August 31, 2026. Candidates should confirm appointment availability and renewal implications before relying on this credential path.
The January 2026 AZ-500 outline covers identity and access, networking, compute, storage, databases, Defender for Cloud, and Sentinel across Azure, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.
Study should include RBAC, PIM, MFA, Conditional Access, app registrations, managed identities, NSGs, private endpoints, Azure Firewall, Front Door, WAF, Bastion, AKS, ACR, storage encryption, SQL security, Key Vault, Defender for Cloud, Sentinel analytics, and automation.
Before test day, connect your Microsoft Learn profile, verify the Pearson VUE appointment, review ID and accommodation requirements, try the exam sandbox, and understand the 700 passing standard.
Use this Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) exam help page for exam-specific context, then compare the broader online exam help services page or contact HiraEdu if you need a direct handoff. This page stays focused on Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) while the linked service pages cover broader exam support options.
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) is the exam for security engineers who implement, manage, and monitor security for resources in Azure, multi-cloud, and hybrid environments. Microsoft lists the certification as last updated on January 22, 2026 and the study guide says AZ-500 retires on August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time. The exam page lists 100 minutes to complete the assessment and Microsoft requires a score of 700 or greater to pass. Candidates should have practical experience administering Microsoft Azure and hybrid environments plus strong familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID, compute, networking, and storage. The current outline covers Secure identity and access (15-20%), Secure networking (20-25%), Secure compute, storage, and databases (20-25%), and Secure Azure using Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel (30-35%). Preparation should include Azure RBAC, Microsoft Entra roles, Privileged Identity Management, MFA, Conditional Access, app registrations, service principals, managed identities, NSGs, ASGs, Azure Virtual Network Manager, UDRs, peering, VPN Gateway, Virtual WAN, ExpressRoute encryption, Network Watcher, service endpoints, private endpoints, Private Link, App Service networking, TLS, Azure Firewall, Application Gateway, Front Door, WAF, DDoS Protection, Azure Bastion, JIT VM access, AKS, ACI, Container Apps, ACR, disk encryption, storage access controls, BYOK, Azure SQL authentication, auditing, dynamic masking, TDE, Always Encrypted, Azure Policy, Key Vault, Defender for Cloud Secure Score and Inventory, compliance standards, AWS and GCP connectors, Defender EASM, workload protection plans, agentless VM scanning, Defender for Cloud DevOps Security, Azure Monitor data collection rules, Microsoft Sentinel connectors, analytics rules, and automation.
The exam code is AZ-500 for Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate.
Microsoft says AZ-500 retires on August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.
Microsoft lists the current AZ-500 skills measured as of January 22, 2026.
The Microsoft exam page lists 100 minutes to complete the assessment.
Securing Azure using Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel is the largest area at 30-35%.
Check that your AZ-500 appointment falls before Microsoft's August 31, 2026 retirement date.
Build a checklist for identity and access, networking, compute, storage, databases, Defender for Cloud, and Sentinel.
Practice Entra ID, PIM, Conditional Access, networking controls, Key Vault, storage and SQL security, Defender for Cloud secure score, Sentinel connectors, analytics rules, and automation.
Verify Microsoft Learn profile connection, Pearson VUE scheduling, identification, exam sandbox familiarity, score expectations, and renewal process.
Use the guide to self-serve, or talk to a coordinator if you need help mapping timelines, official requirements, or troubleshooting day-of logistics.
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