TLDR
- The exam consists of 40-60 multiple-choice, multiple-response, true/false, drag-and-drop, scenario, or case study questions.
- The passing score for the exam is 700.
- The cost of the SC-900 exam is $99 per attempt in the United States.
- IT professionals, a business stakeholder, a security enthusiast, or a student looking to kickstart their career in cybersecurity, information protection, identity, and access management can take this certification.
- The IDC report states that by 2028, cybersecurity products will generate $200 billion in revenue, based on projections from 2023 revenue.
With no doubt, cybersecurity and data protection are paramount concerns for businesses of all sizes. As organizations continue to digitize their operations and store valuable data online, the need for robust security measures becomes increasingly critical. Microsoft, a leading provider of enterprise solutions, offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services designed to address these challenges. The Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals exam, or SC-900, serves as a foundational assessment for individuals looking to demonstrate their understanding of Microsoft’s security, compliance, and identity offerings. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of the SC-900 exam, providing you with valuable insights and resources to help you prepare effectively.
What Is Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification?
The Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals certification is a beginner-level certification offered by Microsoft for individuals seeking to learn the fundamentals of security. By obtaining this credential, candidates will demonstrate their expertise in gaining knowledge regarding the fundamental security, Compliance, and Identity (SCI) principles and solutions within Microsoft, which may include Azure and Microsoft 365.
What Are The Things You Need To Know About The SC-900 Exam?
- The Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals exam code is SC-900.
- The exam consists of 40-60 multiple-choice, multiple-response, true/false, drag-and-drop, scenario, or case study questions.
- The SC-900 exam should be completed within 45 minutes.
- The exam can be taken online or in person.
- The exam is offered in English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, Arabic, Indonesian, German, Korean, Chinese (Traditional), and Italian.
- The passing score for the exam is 700.
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What Are The Exam Objectives For The SC-900 Exam?
The SC-900 exam is based on four major exam domains that are listed below;
- Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity (10–15%)
- Describe the capabilities of Microsoft Entra (25–30%)
- Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions (35–40%)
- Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions (20–25%)
Who Should Be Thinking Of Taking The SC-900 Exam?
Whether you’re an IT professional, a business stakeholder, a security enthusiast, or a student looking to kickstart your career in cybersecurity, information protection, identity, and access management, obtaining the SC-900 certification can enhance your credentials and open up new opportunities in the industry.
What is the cost of the SC-900 exam?
The cost of the SC-900 exam is $99 per attempt in the United States. The cost of each attempt is the same. However, some miscellaneous costs also add to the exam, like the paid course, which may cost $40-$60. Similarly, the cost of exam practice materials may range from $25-$40. The renewal exam is entirely free of cost.
Each of these costs differs depending on the country or the region.
What are the requirements to take the SC-900 exam?
There are no formal requirements to take the exam. However, the following knowledge is recommended;
- Concepts of networking and cloud computing
- Broad familiarity with IT or any general work experience in an IT setting
- General knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Azure
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How difficult is the SC-900 exam?
The difficulty of the Microsoft SC-900 exam can vary depending on your level of experience and familiarity with the concepts covered in the exam objectives. As a foundational certification exam, the SC-900 is designed to assess candidates’ understanding of fundamental security, compliance, and identity concepts in the context of Microsoft’s solutions.
For individuals with prior experience or knowledge in cybersecurity, cloud computing, compliance, or IT administration, the SC-900 exam may be relatively manageable with adequate preparation. However, if you’re new to these concepts or have limited experience with Microsoft’s security and compliance offerings, you may find the exam more challenging.
Overall, while the SC-900 exam is considered a foundational certification, it still requires thorough preparation and a solid understanding of the exam objectives to succeed. With diligent study and hands-on practice, you can increase your chances of passing the exam and obtaining the Microsoft SC-900 certification.
How to prepare for and crack the SC-900 exam?
Successfully passing the SC-900 exam requires diligent preparation and a solid understanding of the exam objectives. Here are some tips to help you prepare effectively:
- Review the Exam Skills Outline: Familiarize yourself with the skills outlined by Microsoft. This document outlines the key concepts and topics that will be covered in the exam, helping you focus your study efforts.
- Utilize Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Learn offers a wealth of free resources, including modules, tutorials, and hands-on labs, covering various aspects of Microsoft’s security, compliance, and identity solutions. Take advantage of these resources to deepen your understanding of the subject matter. You may also use the instructor-led course.
- Explore Documentation and Whitepapers: Microsoft provides extensive documentation and whitepapers on its security, compliance, and identity solutions. Take the time to explore these resources, as they offer valuable insights and real-world examples that can aid in your preparation.
- Use the Additional Resources: Practice exams are an excellent way to assess your readiness and identify areas where you may need further review. Several online platforms offer SC-900 practice exams, allowing you to simulate the exam experience and gauge your proficiency. Other than these, you can use the exam dumps from Dumpsgate. The dumps also help you with preparing better if they are authentic and are aligned with the actual exam.
- Join Online Forums: By joining the online forums, you will get to know about the SC-900 exam from others’ perspectives as well, since you will find plenty of people there who would be discussing their drawbacks and the resources that were helpful for them, so it may get easier for you to prepare better.
- Group Study: Preparing within a group of friends is more beneficial than doing preparation alone. Preparing in a group will advance your knowledge from others’ points of view and will help you with clearing your queries.
- Handwritten Notes: Try making handwritten notes, as practice will make your writing pace faster, which can result in saving you time. The brain registers the information that has been penned down faster than just learning.
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What Job Roles Can I Pursue With Microsoft SC-900 Certification?
Although the SC-900 certification is a foundational-level credential, it still offers a variety of job opportunities that one can pursue that can help advance their career. Some of the demanding job roles, along with their salaries in the current year, are mentioned below;
Job Roles | Salaries |
Compliance Officer | $92,187 |
Cloud Security Architect | $149,147 |
$136K | |
IT Manager | $109,707 |
DevOps Engineer | $140K |
Penetration Tester | $119,895 |
Security Operations Analyst | $91,821 |
Security Auditor | $89,997 |
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What is the worth and importance of taking the SC-900 exam?
Ultimately, whether the SC-900 exam is worth taking depends on your individual circumstances and career aspirations. If you believe that obtaining the certification aligns with your goals and can provide value to your career, investing the time and effort into preparing for and passing the exam can be a worthwhile endeavor.
Here are some factors to consider when determining if the SC-900 certification is worthwhile for you:
- Career Path: If you’re pursuing a career in cybersecurity, cloud computing, compliance, or IT administration, obtaining the SC-900 certification can be beneficial. It demonstrates your foundational knowledge of Microsoft’s security, compliance, and identity solutions, which are widely used in enterprise environments.
- Employer Requirements: Some employers may require or prefer candidates to have relevant certifications, including those related to Microsoft technologies. If you’re seeking employment or advancement within an organization that values Microsoft certifications, earning the SC-900 certification could enhance your credentials and make you a more competitive candidate.
- Security skill Enhancement: Even if the SC-900 certification is not explicitly required for your current role, preparing for the exam can deepen your understanding of security, compliance, and identity concepts in the context of Microsoft’s offerings. This knowledge can be valuable for enhancing your job performance and contributing to your organization’s success, since the IDC report states that by the year 2028, the cybersecurity products will generate revenue of $200 billion, with the projection based on the revenue generated within the year 2023.
- Personal Development: Pursuing certifications like the SC-900 can also be a form of personal and professional development. It demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry trends and best practices. Additionally, earning certifications can boost your confidence and satisfaction in your abilities.
- Communication with industry experts: Engaging with other professionals who are also pursuing Microsoft certifications can provide networking opportunities and access to a community of like-minded individuals. Participating in study groups, online forums, or local user groups can help you expand your professional network and learn from others’ experiences.
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In a Nutshell
The Microsoft SC-900 exam serves as a foundational stepping stone for individuals seeking to demonstrate their understanding of Microsoft’s security, compliance, and identity solutions. By following the tips outlined in this guide and dedicating sufficient time and effort to your preparation, you can increase your chances of success on exam day. Make sure to stay focused, stay motivated, and leverage the wealth of resources available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which exams can I take after the SC-900 exam?
After successfully passing the Microsoft SC-900 exam and obtaining the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals certification, you may pursue more advanced certifications that align with your career goals and interests. Here are some potential certification paths you could consider:
- Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200): This certification demonstrates your expertise in detecting, responding to, and mitigating security threats using Microsoft security solutions, including Azure Sentinel and Microsoft Defender.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate (MS-500): This certification focuses on managing security and compliance solutions in Microsoft 365, including identity and access management, threat protection, and information protection.
Can I get an entry-level job after the SC-900 exam?
Yes, earning the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals certification (SC-900) can significantly enhance your qualifications for entry-level positions in the field of cybersecurity, compliance, and IT administration, particularly within organizations that utilize Microsoft technologies. While the SC-900 certification alone may not guarantee a job, it can serve as a valuable credential that demonstrates your foundational knowledge and commitment to the field.
What is the cost of the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification?
The cost of the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification varies depending on the location; however, the price in the United States is USD 99.
In how many languages is the Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification exam currently being offered?
In addition to English, the SC-900 exam is currently offered in 12 other languages, including Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, Arabic, Indonesian, German, Korean, Chinese (Traditional), and Italian.
Article Resources
➡️ ZipRecruiter. “Compliance Officer Salary in Texas, https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Compliance-Officer-Salary–in-Texas”. Accessed In September 2025.
➡️ Glassdoor. “Information Security Analyst Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/information-security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm”. Accessed in September 2025.
➡️ IDC Global. “Double-Digit Revenue Growth for Security Products in 2023 is Forecast to Continue Through 2028, According to IDC, https://my.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS52392924”. Accessed in September 2025.
