SC-100: Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect
Design an overall cybersecurity strategy and architecture across identity, zero trust, hybrid infrastructure, data protection, security operations (SecOps), and governance as a certified Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert.
Official Exam Specification & Quick Facts
Question Difficulty Breakdown
Recommended Study Guides & Exam Preparation Blueprints
Reinforce your knowledge with domain breakdowns, trap question analyses, and architectural cheat sheets:
Exam Guidelines & Simulation Rules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The SC-100 exam contains 45-60 advanced scenario, case study, and architectural decision questions over 120 minutes. Cost is $165 USD with a passing threshold of 700/1000 (70%).
Domains include: (1) Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture (~20-25%), (2) Evaluate Governance Risk Compliance (GRC) technical strategies and security operations (~20-25%), (3) Design security for infrastructure (~20-25%), and (4) Design a strategy for data and applications (~20-25%).
To earn the full Cybersecurity Architect Expert credential, candidates must pass SC-100 PLUS one prerequisite: SC-200 (Security Operations Analyst), SC-300 (Identity and Access Admin), AZ-500 (Azure Security Engineer), or MS-500.
MCRA is Microsoft's comprehensive blueprint describing how Microsoft cybersecurity capabilities integrate with multi-cloud platforms, on-premises systems, IoT/OT, and Zero Trust security frameworks.
Zero Trust assumes breach, segments networks with micro-perimeters, enforces least privilege access with JIT/PIM, and requires continuous explicit verification using contextual identity signals.
Defender XDR provides domain-specific detection across endpoints, identities, email, and cloud apps. Microsoft Sentinel provides enterprise-wide SIEM/SOAR ingesting non-Microsoft, network, and multi-cloud telemetry into a unified investigation workbench.
Secure Score calculates an ongoing numerical percentage reflecting your security posture by comparing live cloud configurations against CIS, NIST, and Microsoft security benchmarks.
Purview provides unified data classification, sensitivity labels, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), insider risk management, and eDiscovery across Microsoft 365, Azure, on-premises, and multi-cloud data estates.
PAWs are dedicated, hardened physical devices used exclusively for administrative tasks with no email, web browsing, or standard productivity software, preventing malware compromise of admin credentials.
MCSB is a collection of high-impact security recommendations and best practices aligned to industry standards (NIST SP 800-53, CIS Controls) that guide cloud security architecture.
SC-100 is valid for one year and renewable annually for free via Microsoft Learn.
SC-100 certifies Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), Enterprise Security Architects, and Principal Cyber Defense Consultants earning average US salaries between $165,000 and $230,000+.