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A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course.

Become proficient in using Microsoft security tools to detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats. You will gain hands-on experience with Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Microsoft 365 Defender to secure endpoints, identities, and cloud environments. Learn to configure security baselines, manage alerts, and automate threat response using these powerful security products.

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A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course.

Become proficient in using Microsoft security tools to detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats. You will gain hands-on experience with Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Microsoft 365 Defender to secure endpoints, identities, and cloud environments. Learn to configure security baselines, manage alerts, and automate threat response using these powerful security products.

The course begins with an introduction to Microsoft 365 Defender, followed by comprehensive coverage of Defender for Office 365, Defender for Cloud Apps, Defender for Endpoint, and Defender for Identity. You will explore methods for threat hunting and analyze security data using advanced tools like Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Microsoft Secure Score.

The course progresses into Microsoft Defender for Cloud, helping you secure cloud infrastructure and multi-cloud environments. Next, you'll dive into Microsoft Sentinel, where you'll learn to configure resources, manage data connectors, and automate workflows for efficient incident response. The hands-on nature of the course ensures you gain practical skills in mitigating threats.

This course is ideal for security professionals looking to gain in-depth knowledge of Microsoft security products. It is designed for those who have a foundational understanding of IT and cybersecurity concepts and are eager to advance their skills in threat detection and response.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Use Microsoft 365 Defender to Mitigate Threats
In this module, we will explore how Microsoft 365 Defender and its related tools form a comprehensive defense strategy against modern cyber threats. You’ll get hands-on insights into Defender for Office 365, Cloud Apps, Endpoints, and Identity, as well as advanced features like Secure Score and Extended Detection and Response. By the end of this section, you'll be able to apply Microsoft’s integrated security tools to monitor, prevent, and respond to complex security incidents effectively.
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Career center

Learners who complete SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Security Operations Center Analyst
A Security Operations Center Analyst is at the forefront of defending an organization's digital assets, actively monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber threats. This course is exceptionally well-suited for aspiring and current Security Operations Center Analysts, equipping them with the hands-on proficiency needed to excel. You will gain in-depth experience with Microsoft 365 Defender, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft Sentinel, learning to configure security baselines, manage alerts, and automate threat responses. This specialized training in Microsoft's comprehensive security ecosystem is precisely what analysts need to protect endpoints, identities, and cloud environments, making this course an essential step for success in a modern SOC.
Incident Response Analyst
An Incident Response Analyst plays a critical role in minimizing the impact of security breaches by swiftly investigating and containing cyber incidents. This course provides comprehensive training directly applicable to the responsibilities of an Incident Response Analyst. You will learn to use Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Microsoft 365 Defender to identify, analyze, and automate responses to threats. The practical skills gained in threat hunting, analyzing security data, and configuring workflows for efficient incident response are invaluable. This specific course equips you with the in-depth knowledge of Microsoft's powerful security products, making you highly effective in mitigating threats across various environments.
Cybersecurity Engineer
A Cybersecurity Engineer designs, builds, and maintains robust security systems, integrating various tools and technologies to protect an organization's infrastructure. This course is highly relevant for Cybersecurity Engineers, focusing on the practical application of Microsoft security tools which are prevalent in many enterprise environments. You will learn to configure and manage Microsoft 365 Defender, Defender for Cloud, and Sentinel, securing endpoints, identities, and cloud platforms. The ability to automate threat responses and optimize security operations using these powerful products will empower engineers to implement comprehensive defense strategies. This particular course provides the detailed, hands-on experience crucial for deploying and maintaining advanced security solutions.
Cloud Security Engineer
A Cloud Security Engineer specializes in securing an organization's cloud infrastructure and applications. This course is exceptionally valuable for Cloud Security Engineers due to its dedicated focus on Microsoft Defender for Cloud. You will gain expertise in protecting hybrid and multi-cloud environments, configuring roles, policies, and automation, and assessing workload protections. Learning to connect external resources for seamless security integration and optimizing cloud security operations with effective data insights are core components. This specific training with Microsoft Sentinel further enhances skills in managing cloud-native SIEM/SOAR solutions and automating incident response in cloud environments.
Threat Hunter
A Threat Hunter proactively searches for advanced persistent threats and undetected intrusions within an organization’s networks. This course is highly beneficial for aspiring Threat Hunters, explicitly addressing methods for threat hunting and analyzing security data. You will gain hands-on experience with advanced tools like Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Microsoft 365 Defender to uncover sophisticated threats. Understanding how to leverage Microsoft Sentinel for advanced analytics and proactive hunting will be fundamental. This specific course provides the practical skills in using leading security products to detect subtle indicators of compromise often missed by automated systems, making it a critical asset for this role.
Security Administrator
A Security Administrator is responsible for the daily operation, configuration, and maintenance of security systems and policies. This course offers practical, hands-on experience directly applicable to a Security Administrator's duties. You will become proficient in configuring security baselines, managing alerts, and automating threat responses using Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, and Microsoft 365 Defender. The detailed instruction on securing endpoints, identities, and cloud environments, along with learning to configure resources and manage data connectors within Sentinel, provides the essential skills for effective security administration using Microsoft's powerful suite of products.
Identity and Access Management Specialist
An Identity and Access Management Specialist focuses on managing digital identities and controlling access to resources, a critical aspect of cybersecurity. This course is particularly relevant for an Identity and Access Management Specialist, as it provides comprehensive coverage of Defender for Identity. You will learn to secure identities effectively using Microsoft's advanced tools, understanding how to monitor and respond to identity-related threats within the broader Microsoft 365 Defender ecosystem. The skills gained in configuring security baselines and managing alerts related to identity protection are crucial for maintaining secure access, making this course a strong foundation for managing organizational identities.
Security Automation Engineer
A Security Automation Engineer designs and implements automated solutions to enhance security operations, reducing manual effort and speeding up response times. This course is highly beneficial for Security Automation Engineers, with its strong emphasis on automating threat response and workflows for efficient incident response. You will gain practical experience using Microsoft Sentinel's powerful capabilities to automate responses and configure core components. The training covers how to leverage Microsoft 365 Defender and Defender for Cloud for automated threat mitigation. This specific course provides the detailed knowledge of Microsoft products necessary to build and deploy robust, automated security processes.
Security Consultant
A Security Consultant advises organizations on security strategies, implementations, and best practices. For a Security Consultant, staying current with leading security technologies is paramount, and this course offers deep insights into Microsoft's security ecosystem. You will gain hands-on proficiency with Microsoft 365 Defender, Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft Sentinel, learning to secure endpoints, identities, and cloud environments. This detailed understanding of configuring security baselines, managing alerts, and automating threat responses empowers consultants to provide informed recommendations and practical deployment strategies for clients leveraging Microsoft security products, making this course a valuable asset.
DevSecOps Engineer
A DevSecOps Engineer integrates security practices into every stage of the software development and operations lifecycle. This course may be useful for a DevSecOps Engineer as it provides a practical understanding of Microsoft security tools crucial for securing modern cloud-native applications and infrastructure. Learners will explore Microsoft Defender for Cloud, useful for protecting hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and Microsoft Sentinel, relevant for automating security operations. The emphasis on configuring security baselines and automating threat response helps build a foundation for embedding security controls and continuous monitoring within automated pipelines.
IT Security Manager
An IT Security Manager oversees an organization's overall security posture, guiding strategy and managing security teams. This course may be useful for an IT Security Manager to gain a deeper operational understanding of the Microsoft security products likely deployed within their environment. It provides practical insights into Microsoft 365 Defender, Defender for Cloud, and Sentinel, which are critical for monitoring threats and managing incident response. Understanding how these powerful tools function facilitates informed decision-making, strategic planning, and effective resource allocation for securing endpoints, identities, and cloud environments under their purview.
Security Architect
A Security Architect designs and plans complex security systems and frameworks for an organization. This course may be useful for a Security Architect to build a foundation in the operational capabilities and integration points of Microsoft's leading security products. Understanding how Microsoft 365 Defender, Defender for Cloud, and Microsoft Sentinel function at a hands-on level—from configuring baselines to automating responses—is crucial for designing robust, effective, and implementable security architectures. This role typically requires an advanced degree, but this course provides practical insights into the components that form enterprise security solutions.
Data Security Analyst
A Data Security Analyst focuses on protecting sensitive information throughout its lifecycle, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This course may be useful for a Data Security Analyst as it provides a strong practical understanding of the tools that secure the environments where data resides. Learning to use Microsoft Defender for Office 365, Defender for Endpoint, and Defender for Cloud helps build a foundation in protecting data across various platforms. The skills in threat detection, investigation, and response using Microsoft Sentinel are relevant for identifying and mitigating risks to data, making it a helpful course for this specialized field.
Governance Risk and Compliance Analyst
A Governance Risk and Compliance Analyst ensures an organization adheres to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and manages security risks. This course may be useful for a Governance Risk and Compliance Analyst as it offers practical insights into the operational controls provided by Microsoft security tools. Understanding how Microsoft Secure Score is used and how data is managed within Microsoft Sentinel, including threat detection and response automation, can help build a foundation for assessing an organization's compliance posture and identifying areas of risk within Microsoft environments. This knowledge helps in evaluating the effectiveness of implemented security measures.
Digital Forensic Investigator
A Digital Forensic Investigator examines digital evidence to uncover the causes and impacts of cyber incidents. This course may be useful for a Digital Forensic Investigator as the comprehensive training in threat detection, investigation, and response using Microsoft Sentinel and Microsoft 365 Defender helps build a foundation in understanding how breaches occur and how security telemetry is generated. Learning to analyze security data with XDR and automate threat responses provides valuable context for reconstructing events and identifying artifacts during a forensic examination. This role often requires an advanced degree for in-depth specialization in forensics.

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst.
Serves as the flagship architectural and operational guide to Microsoft Sentinel, walking SOC engineers through Log Analytics workspace design, data connector ingestion, Kusto Query Language (KQL) analytics rules, incident investigation graphs, and Logic Apps SOAR playbooks.
Equips SOC analysts and detection engineers with fluency in Kusto Query Language (KQL), translating Microsoft Sentinel telemetry tables into high-fidelity analytics rules, custom threat-hunting queries, workbooks, and automated detections.
Walks security operations practitioners step by step through the Microsoft SC-200 blueprint, detailing Microsoft Sentinel workspace provisioning, data connectors, analytics rule tuning, incident response automation, and Defender XDR integration.
Translates battle-tested Security Operations Center doctrine into structured SIEM correlation workflows, telemetry onboarding priorities, alert triage metrics, and threat-hunting playbooks directly applicable to Microsoft Sentinel rules.
Focuses specifically on using Splunk, a popular SIEM platform, for cybersecurity purposes. It provides practical strategies for threat detection, forensic investigation, and cloud security using Splunk's Enterprise Security module. This is highly relevant for those who will be working with Splunk in a professional capacity and want to deepen their understanding of its SIEM capabilities.
Must-read for anyone interested in EDR. It covers the basics of endpoint security and the importance of EDR, then dives into advanced areas like EDR architecture and popular tools. It includes real-world case studies and best practices, making it valuable for both beginners and experienced professionals.
Is focused on Microsoft Azure Sentinel, a cloud-native SIEM solution. It covers planning, implementing, and operating Sentinel, providing practical guidance for those using or planning to use this specific platform. Given the increasing adoption of cloud-native SIEMs, this book is highly relevant for contemporary SIEM practices.
Dives into contemporary topics by exploring techniques used to evade Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems. Understanding these techniques is crucial for building more robust endpoint defenses. It's a valuable resource for advanced students and security professionals looking to understand the attacker's perspective.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud security, covering everything from basic concepts to advanced topics such as threat detection and incident response. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about cloud security.
Provides a deep dive into the technical aspects of cloud security. It covers topics such as cloud security architectures, security controls, and threat detection and response.
Offers comprehensive insights into Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, a leading cross-platform endpoint security solution. It covers the product's history, features, deployment, and operationalization. It is particularly relevant for organizations using or planning to use Microsoft's security stack and provides practical guidance for security professionals and incident responders.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the architecture, implementation, and optimization of SIEM solutions. It covers essential topics such as log collection, event correlation, and threat detection, exploring both traditional and modern SIEM approaches. This book valuable resource for security professionals and IT administrators involved in SIEM deployment.
Connects endpoint, identity, and email XDR telemetry directly to Microsoft Sentinel's unified security operations workflow, showing practitioners how to correlate alerts, hunt with KQL across Defender tables, and automate response playbooks.
Establishes a repeatable detection-as-code lifecycle for cloud SIEM teams, guiding engineers from adversary emulation and MITRE ATT&CK mapping through automated rule validation, false-positive suppression, and version-controlled analytics.
Delves into the challenges of balancing security and usability in endpoint protection. It provides practical recommendations and tips for successful implementation of endpoint security measures. This book is particularly useful for professionals involved in designing and deploying security solutions.
Teaches threat hunters how to operationalize STIX/TAXII intelligence feeds, formulate hypothesis-driven hunting campaigns aligned to MITRE ATT&CK, and query endpoint and cloud logs to uncover stealthy adversary persistence.
Applies the Cyber Kill Chain and Diamond Model methodologies to pivoting across indicators of compromise, enriching SIEM alerts with adversary infrastructure context, and orchestrating structured incident response campaigns.
Focuses on securing microservices, which are increasingly deployed on various endpoints. It covers API endpoint security in the context of microservices architectures. This relevant topic for those dealing with modern application development and deployment on endpoints.
Frames proactive threat hunting as a disciplined, hypothesis-driven practice for modern cloud SIEM teams, walking analysts through telemetry pivoting, behavioral anomaly detection, and repeatable hunt execution across enterprise logs.
Provides a comprehensive and proven approach to securing network endpoints. It covers a wide range of endpoint devices and offers strategies to prevent and eliminate network contamination. It's a valuable reference for understanding the foundational concepts of endpoint security and different endpoint types.
Situates Microsoft Sentinel within the broader Azure cloud defense architecture, detailing how Defender for Cloud, Entra ID audit streams, network security logs, and policy guardrails reinforce centralized SIEM visibility.
This handbook practical reference guide for cybersecurity incident responders. It provides real-life techniques for handling security incidents, many of which originate at the endpoint. is valuable for understanding the defensive side of endpoint security and the steps involved in responding to breaches.
Provides a comprehensive guide to establishing, managing, and maintaining a Security Operations Center (SOC), which is intrinsically linked to SIEM. It covers the essential people, process, and technology aspects of a SOC, offering a holistic view that is valuable for understanding the operational context of SIEM. While not solely focused on SIEM, its in-depth coverage of SOC functions makes it an excellent resource for those who will be working with SIEM in a real-world environment. It is often recommended for professionals and those preparing for certifications.
Effective log management foundational element of any SIEM deployment. provides an authoritative guide to understanding logging concepts and techniques. It is essential reading for anyone involved in designing, implementing, or managing a SIEM, as the quality of the logs directly impacts the effectiveness of the SIEM. This book valuable reference for professionals.
Guides security architects through unifying Microsoft Defender XDR and Microsoft Sentinel into a single SecOps platform, covering Zero Trust alignment, unified incident correlation, automated remediation, and KQL hunting workflows.
Provides Microsoft's official architectural blueprint for planning and deploying Microsoft Sentinel, addressing multi-workspace governance, Log Analytics cost optimization, ASIM schema normalization, and SOAR automation patterns.
Similar to 'The Practice of Network Security Monitoring,' this book provides a fundamental guide to network security monitoring. It covers the essential concepts of collection, detection, and analysis, which are directly applicable to endpoint security monitoring and incident response. It's a strong resource for security analysts.
Explains the core Azure identity, networking, compute, and key management telemetry sources that feed into Microsoft Sentinel, enabling SIEM engineers to interpret Entra ID, Key Vault, and Defender for Cloud signals accurately.
Classic in the field of incident response and computer forensics. It provides a comprehensive overview of the topic, and it is written by three experts in the field. It's essential reading for anyone who wants to learn more about this topic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud security risks and best practices. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to protect data and applications in the cloud.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Microsoft Azure Security Center. It covers topics such as Azure Security Center architecture, security monitoring, and threat detection and response.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud security compliance. It covers topics such as cloud security standards, cloud security regulations, and cloud security audits.
Provides a hands-on approach to cloud security. It covers topics such as cloud security assessment, cloud security testing, and cloud security incident response.
Focuses on the security and privacy challenges faced by enterprises that are adopting cloud computing. It provides practical guidance on how to protect data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud.
Delivers hands-on detection engineering and runtime telemetry recipes for cloud-native Kubernetes clusters, serverless workloads, and CI/CD pipelines that feed into modern cloud SIEM and SOAR platforms.
Chronicles the true story of how an astronomer tracked down an international cyber-espionage ring starting from a 75-cent accounting log discrepancy, inspiring generations of SIEM analysts and threat hunters in the art of relentless log forensics.
Synthesizes MITRE's empirical research across enterprise SOCs into eleven operational strategies covering telemetry prioritization, detection engineering governance, analyst burnout prevention, and SIEM maturity measurement.
Perimeter security key area monitored by SIEM systems. provides an in-depth look at perimeter security architectures, standards, and operations. Understanding these concepts is essential for effectively configuring and analyzing SIEM alerts related to network boundaries. It valuable resource for network security professionals.
Blueprints how defensive security teams capture institutional incident-response knowledge into repeatable SOC playbooks, providing foundational workflows that map cleanly to Microsoft Sentinel automation rules and Logic Apps.
Provides insights into penetration testing techniques, which often involve exploiting vulnerabilities on endpoints. Understanding how attackers compromise endpoints is crucial for developing effective defenses. This book is more focused on the offensive side but provides valuable context for defensive strategies.
Introduces statistical log analysis, anomaly modeling, and exploratory security data visualization principles that help Microsoft Sentinel practitioners turn raw KQL query results into clear, executive-ready threat workbooks.
Offers a broad overview of computer security, including topics relevant to endpoint security such as malware, intrusion detection, and access control. It's a good resource for gaining a general understanding of the various facets of computer security that relate to protecting endpoints.
A more in-depth look at cryptography and network security by Stallings, this book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate-level students. It provides a detailed understanding of the cryptographic algorithms and security protocols that underpin many endpoint security solutions. It's a valuable reference for those seeking a deeper technical understanding.
A classic and highly influential book on cryptography. A deep understanding of cryptography is essential for securing data on endpoints and during transmission. While very technical, it's a foundational text for anyone working in-depth with security technologies.
Offers a broad introduction to cybersecurity concepts, including network security and cyberattacks, which provides essential background knowledge for understanding SIEM. It uses practical examples and real-world applications to make the concepts accessible. This is an excellent starting point for high school and undergraduate students new to cybersecurity before diving specifically into SIEM.
Provides a comprehensive overview of cloud security for IT professionals. It covers topics such as cloud security risks, cloud security controls, and cloud security compliance.
Provides a unique perspective on threat detection and response by exploring the human element of security. It is written by Kevin Mitnick, one of the world's most famous hackers, and it must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about this topic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of malware analysis, including how to detect, analyze, and respond to malware attacks. It is written by two experts in the field, and it must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about this topic.
A widely respected book in the cybersecurity field, this classic explores the broader context of digital security and the challenges of securing networked systems. While not SIEM-specific, it provides valuable insights into the threat landscape and the importance of security technologies like SIEM. It's more conceptual and strategic, suitable for gaining a broader understanding of the security challenges SIEM aims to address.

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