During the last quarter of 2018, Microsoft
announced the retirement of many of its MCSA course series. These include MCSA Cloud Platform, Linux on Azure, Office 365 and Windows 10, among many. This news could have been distressing to many, especially those who have already been in the process of gaining a certain credential or already completed the part that leads to a definite Microsoft certification. Still, there is no need to worry as your MCSA skills aren’t necessarily obsolete. Besides, the exit of the MCSA credentials gave way for Role-Based Microsoft Certifications.Why role-based certification?
There is a difference between passing certification exams and being able to apply this knowledge in specific roles in the IT industry. Many people are strong in their theoretical knowledge that help them pass certification exams. Microsoft saw the need to equip professionals with relevant skills that can make them perform their specific job roles better thus bridging the gap between classroom lessons and modern business requirements. These new role-based certification exams are suitable for both new and experienced IT professionals.
According to a 2017 Pearson VUE Value of IT Certification Survey, acquiring Microsoft certifications has the potential to increase your salary by 20%. This can be attributed to the fact that certified professionals have been proven to be 20% more productive than those who are not.
Since the focus of the role-based certification is to grow your skills in your role, whether as a developer or administrator, you become more employable. Some of the companies that employ Microsoft certified experts include, but not limited to Microsoft Corporation, Starbucks Corporation, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
So, let’s see which certification changes Microsoft has in store for us.
Role-based Microsoft Certification
The new job roles designed by Microsoft include Azure Administrator, Azure Developer, Azure Architect, DevOps Engineer, Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator, and Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator. In this article, will focus on such job-roles as Administrator, Developer, and Solutions Architect.
Administrator
Microsoft offers several administrator certifications for its Office 365 suite and Azure cloud solution. Here’s a sneak look at what to expect.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate
Microsoft 365 Certified Security Administrators are tasked with executing and managing threat protection procedures with a focus on M365 enterprise and hybrid environment. They work with M365 Enterprise administrators and business stakeholders to design and execute security policies and make sure the solutions comply with relevant data regulations.
To be M635 Certified Administrator Associate, you should do Microsoft’s Exam MS-500. A suitable candidate for this exam is someone with experience in information and identity protection, threat detection and protection, data governance and security management. It’s also easier if someone understands M365 workloads.
When preparing for MS-500 exam, there are options you can pick depending on your preference. For instance, you can choose to use free courses by Microsoft or go for their paid on-demand, in-person lectures. Another option is to complement these resources with MS-500 Premium ETE file from Examsnap at a cost of $50 and increase your chances of passing your certification test.
