Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900) Practice Plan¶

Overview¶

Exam: SC-900 - Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Timeline: 4-6 weeks (adjust based on your experience) Study Time: 5-8 hours per week Difficulty: Fundamentals level

This practice plan is designed for those looking to understand security, compliance, and identity fundamentals across Microsoft cloud services.

Prerequisites¶

Basic understanding of Microsoft 365 and Azure
Familiarity with cloud computing concepts
Active Azure/Microsoft 365 trial account
Basic IT security awareness

Study Resources¶

Primary Resources: - [ ] Official Microsoft Learn SC-900 Learning Path (FREE) - [ ] Security Documentation - [ ] README.md in this directory for detailed notes

Additional Resources: - [ ] Complete Azure Study Resources Guide - [ ] Practice tests from MeasureUp or Whizlabs - [ ] Azure free tier for hands-on practice

Week-by-Week Breakdown¶

Week 1: Security, Compliance, and Identity Concepts¶

Learning Objectives: - Understand shared responsibility model - Learn Zero Trust principles - Master authentication vs authorization - Explore defense in depth

Daily Tasks: - [ ] Day 1: Study shared responsibility model - [ ] Day 2: Learn Zero Trust model and principles - [ ] Day 3: Understand defense in depth strategy - [ ] Day 4: Study encryption and hashing concepts - [ ] Day 5: Learn common threats and attack vectors - [ ] Day 6: Understand identity as security perimeter - [ ] Day 7: Review and complete Microsoft Learn module

Hands-on Labs: - [ ] Explore Azure Security Center - [ ] Review security baselines - [ ] Understand Azure security principles

Practice Questions: - [ ] Complete 20-30 questions on security concepts

Week 2: Microsoft Identity and Access Management¶

Learning Objectives: - Master Azure Active Directory capabilities - Understand authentication methods - Learn access management features - Explore identity protection

Daily Tasks: - [ ] Day 1: Study Azure AD editions and capabilities - [ ] Day 2: Learn user and group management - [ ] Day 3: Explore MFA and SSPR - [ ] Day 4: Understand Conditional Access - [ ] Day 5: Learn Azure AD roles and RBAC - [ ] Day 6: Study Privileged Identity Management - [ ] Day 7: Complete Microsoft Learn module on identity

Hands-on Labs: - [ ] Create Azure AD users and groups - [ ] Configure MFA for users - [ ] Create Conditional Access policy - [ ] Explore Azure AD admin center - [ ] Review identity protection reports - [ ] Set up external identities (B2B)

Practice Questions: - [ ] Complete 40-50 questions on identity and access

Week 3: Microsoft Security Solutions¶

Learning Objectives: - Understand Azure security capabilities - Learn Microsoft Defender products - Explore Microsoft Sentinel - Master security management

Daily Tasks: - [ ] Day 1: Study Microsoft Defender for Cloud - [ ] Day 2: Learn Azure Firewall and DDoS Protection - [ ] Day 3: Explore Azure Key Vault - [ ] Day 4: Understand Microsoft Defender for Endpoint - [ ] Day 5: Learn Microsoft Defender for Office 365 - [ ] Day 6: Study Microsoft Sentinel (SIEM/SOAR) - [ ] Day 7: Complete Microsoft Learn module on security

Hands-on Labs: - [ ] Explore Microsoft Defender for Cloud dashboard - [ ] Review security recommendations - [ ] Create Key Vault and store secrets - [ ] Explore Microsoft 365 Defender portal - [ ] Review Sentinel connectors and analytics - [ ] Configure Network Security Groups

Practice Questions: - [ ] Complete 40-50 questions on security solutions

Week 4: Microsoft Compliance Solutions¶

Learning Objectives: - Master compliance management capabilities - Understand information protection - Learn insider risk management - Explore eDiscovery and audit

Daily Tasks: - [ ] Day 1: Study Microsoft Purview compliance portal - [ ] Day 2: Learn Compliance Manager and compliance score - [ ] Day 3: Explore data classification and sensitivity labels - [ ] Day 4: Understand data loss prevention (DLP) - [ ] Day 5: Learn records management and retention - [ ] Day 6: Study insider risk and eDiscovery - [ ] Day 7: Complete Microsoft Learn module on compliance

Hands-on Labs: - [ ] Explore Microsoft Purview portal - [ ] Review compliance score - [ ] Create sensitivity labels - [ ] Configure DLP policy - [ ] Set up retention policies - [ ] Explore audit log search

Practice Questions: - [ ] Complete 40-50 questions on compliance

Week 5: Integration and Practice¶

Learning Objectives: - Review all exam domains - Practice with full-length exams - Identify and address weak areas

Daily Tasks: - [ ] Day 1: Review security, compliance, and identity concepts - [ ] Day 2: Review Azure AD and identity management - [ ] Day 3: Review Microsoft security solutions - [ ] Day 4: Review Microsoft compliance solutions - [ ] Day 5: Take full practice exam #1 - [ ] Day 6: Review incorrect answers thoroughly - [ ] Day 7: Take full practice exam #2

Practice Focus: - [ ] Complete 2-3 full-length practice exams - [ ] Review all incorrect answers - [ ] Revisit weak areas with Microsoft Learn - [ ] Practice hands-on scenarios

Week 6 (Optional): Final Review and Exam¶

Learning Objectives: - Final comprehensive review - Take final practice exams - Schedule and pass exam

Daily Tasks: - [ ] Day 1: Review all notes and flashcards - [ ] Day 2: Revisit hands-on labs - [ ] Day 3: Take final practice exam #3 - [ ] Day 4: Review remaining weak areas - [ ] Day 5: Light review, read exam tips - [ ] Day 6-7: Rest and take exam

Final Preparation: - [ ] Review README.md for key concepts - [ ] Understand Zero Trust principles - [ ] Know when to use different security services - [ ] Get good sleep before exam

Key Topics Checklist¶

Security, Compliance, and Identity Concepts (10-15%)¶

Identity and Access Management (25-30%)¶

Microsoft Security Solutions (25-30%)¶

Microsoft Compliance Solutions (25-30%)¶

Hands-on Lab Checklist¶

Identity and Access Labs¶

Security Solutions Labs¶

Explore Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Review security recommendations
Configure NSGs for VMs
Create Azure Key Vault
Store and retrieve secrets
Explore Microsoft 365 Defender portal
Review Sentinel data connectors

Compliance Solutions Labs¶

Practice Exam Strategy¶

Before Practice Exams¶

Complete all Microsoft Learn modules
Finish hands-on labs
Review notes thoroughly

During Practice Exams¶

Time yourself (60 minutes)
Mark unsure questions
Read carefully for keywords
Eliminate wrong answers

After Practice Exams¶

Review ALL questions
Understand correct answers
Study incorrect answer concepts
Revisit Microsoft Learn for gaps

Exam Day Checklist¶

Day Before¶

Light review only
Prepare ID and confirmation
Test computer/webcam
Get good sleep

Exam Day¶

Eat well
Arrive/login early
Have water ready
Stay calm

During Exam¶

Tips for Success¶

Study Tips¶

Understand Zero Trust: Core concept throughout exam
Know the difference: Authentication vs authorization
Focus on capabilities: What each service does, not how to configure
Scenario-based thinking: Which service for which problem
Security-first mindset: Always think about security implications

Common Pitfalls to Avoid¶

Don't confuse different Microsoft Defender products
Understand Azure AD vs on-premises AD
Know when to use different authentication methods
Understand data classification concepts
Be familiar with compliance frameworks

Key Service Decisions¶

Use Azure AD when: Need cloud-based identity
Use Conditional Access when: Need risk-based access control
Use Microsoft Sentinel when: Need SIEM/SOAR solution
Use Information Protection when: Need to classify and protect data
Use Compliance Manager when: Need to manage compliance posture

Progress Tracking¶

Week 1-6 Progress¶

Week 1: Security concepts completed
Week 2: Identity and access completed
Week 3: Security solutions completed
Week 4: Compliance solutions completed
Week 5: Practice exam 1: _____%
Week 5: Practice exam 2: _____%
Week 6: Practice exam 3: _____%
Week 6: Exam scheduled and ready

Additional Resources¶

Official Microsoft Resources¶

Comprehensive Guide¶

Complete Azure Study Resources

Community and Support¶

Microsoft Security Community
Reddit r/AzureCertification
LinkedIn study groups

Good luck with your SC-900 exam preparation!

Remember: Focus on understanding security, compliance, and identity concepts and knowing which Microsoft service to use for different scenarios.