Data Shows Most People Take 6-12 Weeks to Prepare for Azure Security Engineer Associate
by Ross Heintzkill | Published on January 17, 2025
The Azure Security Engineer Associate exam AZ-500 is a showcase of your expertise in securing Microsoft Azure environments. We polled certified professionals through X, LinkedIn, and email to provide a clear idea of the study time required. Their feedback offers practical insights to help you prepare efficiently.
Read on to find out how long you should plan on studying for the Security Engineer Associate.
What is the Azure Security Engineer Associate?
The Azure Security Engineer Associate certification is aimed at IT professionals who want to specialize in securing Microsoft Azure environments. It's best for people who already work in cloud security, IT security, or cloud engineering roles. It's a good next step for those familiar with cloud platforms, especially Microsoft Azure, who want to enhance their security credentials.
The Security Engineer Associate covers identity and access management, data protection, and security controls within the Azure cloud. Employers look for this certification because it demonstrates a candidate’s ability to implement and manage security solutions on Microsoft’s leading cloud platform, which is critical for organizations migrating to or operating in the cloud.
The Azure Security Engineer Associate has only one exam, AZ-500, which is a 100-minute exam that'll cost you $165 to attempt. There are no prerequisite certifications or exams required before attempting it.
How Long Does it Take to Study for the Azure Security Engineer Associate?
The preparation time responses from our survey for the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification show an interesting balance.
38% of respondents needed 6 to 12 weeks to prepare for the AZ-500.
Meanwhile, about 22% of respondents were able to prepare in less than 6 weeks, but the same number of people took between 3 and 5 months. This even distribution suggests that 6 to 12 weeks is a reasonable preparation time for most Azure Security Engineer Associate candidates.
It seems that focused, consistent study paired with high-quality materials can significantly streamline your preparation time. With the right approach, it’s possible to shave down your prep time, avoiding the 3 to 5 month range that some respondents found necessary.
What's on the Azure Security Engineer Associate Test?
The Azure Security Engineer Associate test is AZ-500, a 100-minute exam covering how to implement, manage, and monitor security for resources in Azure, multi-cloud, and hybrid environments as part of an end-to-end infrastructure.
Microsoft training can help both new and experienced security administrators prepare for the Azure Security Engineer Associate test.
The test has four sections:
Manage identity and access
Secure networking
Secure devices, storage, and databases
Manage security operations
The Azure Security Engineer Associate test focuses on securing Azure environments, with an emphasis on the skills and technologies that make identity and access management, network security, data protection, and monitoring security operations possible. You'll want to know how to configure and manage Microsoft Entra to ensure secure user access. This includes setting up multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and role-based access to control Azure resource access.
A substantial portion of the Azure Security Engineer Associate test is related to advanced security for Azure virtual machines, container services, storage accounts, and databases. Practice skills like setting up disk encryption, controlling storage access, enabling features like Transparent Data Encryption for databases, and generally knowing how to secure Azure-hosted data.
Because preparing for the Azure Security Engineer Associate exam can take between 6 weeks and 5 months, an online course can help accelerate your preparation. With structured content on Azure’s security features and real-time labs, CBT Nuggets’ AZ-500 online training gives you the resources you need.
Why Should I Spend Months Earning the Security Engineer Associate?
The Azure Security Engineer Associate is a great next step for anyone who's learned to work in the Azure cloud and is now interested in specializing in cloud security. Cloud security engineers and information security analysts can accelerate their careers by earning the cert, especially if they’re already working with Azure or cloud platforms in general.
How to Study for the Security Engineer Associate in Under 3 Months
As mentioned, Azure Security Engineer Associate prep usually takes between 6 to 12 weeks, but smart studying with online resources, labs, and practice exams can make it much smoother.
Use Online Training Resources
When preparing for Azure Security Engineer Associate, cohesive training can make all the difference. Instead of relying on scattered resources, CBT Nuggets provides a single course that aligns with the certification, covering everything from threat protection to identity management in Azure.
Use Virtual Labs
Virtual labs are a powerful tool for learning Azure security. CBT Nuggets offers labs that allow you to configure, troubleshoot, and secure Azure environments hands-on. Instead of just reading about security policies, you’ll apply them, learning faster by doing and gaining practical knowledge that prepares you for both the exam and real-world challenges.
Test Yourself Using Practice Exams
CBT Nuggets’ practice exams are a helpful way to gauge how ready you are for the Azure Security Engineer Associate exam. By simulating the exam experience, you’ll learn what to expect and identify any areas that need extra attention. This targeted approach saves time and ensures you’re fully prepared for test day without spending extra hours on content you already know well.
Learn From Experts
Azure security concepts can be tricky to master alone, but CBT Nuggets’ expert instructors break down each topic with clear examples and real-world insights. Their approachable style keeps things engaging and ensures you’re prepared for the certification exam. With expert guidance, you’ll get through challenging topics faster and feel confident in your knowledge.
If you’re ready to deepen your skills in Azure security, the Azure Security Engineer Associate cert is a fantastic next step. CBT Nuggets’ Security Engineer Associate course streamlines your learning with focused content, hands-on labs, and practice tests.
By studying smarter, you can reach exam day fully prepared and ahead of schedule. Let CBT Nuggets help you gain the confidence and expertise you need to make a strong impact in any Azure security role.