Microsoft SC-200 Certification Preparation: Security Operations Analyst
This course prepares SOC analysts to detect, investigate and respond to incidents with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR. Over four days you move between demos, KQL workshops and investigation scenarios, with focused practice for the SC-200 exam. You leave with reusable queries and a clear view of how the exam is weighted.
The essentials
Publisher : Microsoft
Certification : Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate
Exam code : SC-200
Duration : 4 days (28 h)
Level : Intermediate
Formats : Live virtual class · In-person in Casablanca · On-site (intra-company)
Languages : French or English
Exam facts : Typically 40–60 questions · 100 min · passing score 700
Exam voucher: included or optional depending on the package — contact us.
Set up Microsoft Sentinel: data connectors, workspace and analytics rules
Write KQL queries for detection, investigation and reporting
Handle alerts and incidents in Defender XDR and Defender for Endpoint
Investigate suspicious Microsoft 365 activity
Automate response with automation rules and playbooks
Run threat hunting across Defender XDR and Sentinel
Program
Manage a security operations environment (40–45%)
Automation in Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel
Configuring the Sentinel SIEM and platform
Ingesting data into Sentinel
Building and tuning detections
Respond to security incidents (35–40%)
Alerts and incidents in Defender XDR
Endpoint response with Defender for Endpoint
Investigating Microsoft 365 activity
Perform threat hunting (20–25%)
Advanced hunting in Defender XDR
Hunting and queries on the Sentinel platform
Turning hunt findings into new detections
Prerequisites
Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and Azure services
Familiarity with Windows, Linux and mobile endpoints
Some exposure to KQL helps; we cover the basics on day one
SC-900 level knowledge or equivalent is recommended
Target audience
Tier 1 to tier 3 SOC analysts
Security engineers running Sentinel or Defender
Microsoft 365 administrators moving into detection and response
MSSP consultants deploying the Microsoft security stack for clients
The exam
The SC-200 exam lasts 100 minutes and usually has 40 to 60 questions, including multiple choice, drag and drop, hot area and case studies. You take it through Pearson VUE at a test centre or online with a proctor, and need 700 to pass. It is offered in English, French and other languages. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed free of charge through an online assessment on Microsoft Learn during the six months before it expires. Microsoft has scheduled an update to the English version for 21 October 2026.
Preparation tips
Practise KQL every day: many questions involve reading queries
Build a trial Sentinel workspace and connect a few data sources
Managing the SOC environment is close to half the exam, so give it real time
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do I need to know KQL before the course?
No, but some hands-on practice helps. We run workshops on the operators analysts use most, such as where, summarize, join and project, then apply them to detection rules and hunting queries.
Is SC-200 suitable for a first SOC job?
Yes, as long as you have Microsoft 365 and security basics. It is the Microsoft certification most closely tied to day-to-day analyst work.
How long is the certification valid?
One year. Renewal is free and done online through a short, unproctored assessment.
Will I get a lab environment?
Yes. Labs run on demo Azure and Microsoft 365 environments during the course, so you can configure connectors, write rules and work through incidents yourself rather than just watching.
SC-200 or SC-500: which one?
SC-200 focuses on detection and incident response; SC-500 focuses on securing cloud and AI workloads. Many teams pair the two, and either one counts toward the SC-100 architect certification.
Securevalley training — online and in-person sessions. Contact us for pricing and registration terms.
Securevalley is not a Microsoft training partner. Microsoft, Azure, Microsoft Sentinel, Microsoft Defender and Microsoft 365 are trademarks of Microsoft.