Microsoft launches Cloud and AI cert

Microsoft on May 15 introduced the Microsoft Certified: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate, a new role-based certification tied to beta exam SC-500. The credential is aimed at security engineers working across Azure, hybrid systems and AI-enabled environments, according to Microsoft Learn and a company blog post. (learn.microsoft.com) Microsoft said the certification is designed to validate end-to-end security skills spanning identities, data, applications, infrastructure and regulatory compliance. The launch adds a new security credential as Microsoft expands its training and certification catalog around AI-related roles. ### What exactly did Microsoft launch? Microsoft Learn lists the new credential as “Microsoft Certified: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (beta).” The certification page says it validates a candidate’s ability to “design, implement, and manage end-to-end security controls” across Azure, hybrid and AI-enabled environments. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) Exam SC-500, formally titled “Implementing End-to-End Security Controls for Cloud and AI Workloads,” is the test required to earn the certification, Microsoft said in its May 15 announcement. Microsoft described the role as broader than a single cloud-layer security job, covering identity protection, data security, AI model security and cloud threat defense. (learn.microsoft.com) ### Which skills does SC-500 cover? Microsoft said SC-500 measures skills across identity, access and governance; storage, databases and networking; compute security; and security posture management. The certification page also says candidates are expected to help secure infrastructure, identities and data used by AI workloads. (learn.microsoft.com) The Microsoft Learn page says the role spans identity, network, application, data and compute security. It names Microsoft Entra ID and Azure Key Vault among the tools and services candidates are expected to use, and says candidates should be able to enforce security and regulatory compliance while securing storage, databases, networking and compute. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) ### Who is Microsoft targeting with the new credential? Microsoft said the certification is intended for security engineers who protect organizational systems and data across cloud and hybrid environments. The company said those professionals may work with architects, administrators, analysts, developers and teams responsible for Azure, Microsoft 365, DevOps, application development, databases and networks. (learn.microsoft.com) Practical experience is part of the target profile. Microsoft said candidates should have hands-on experience administering Azure and hybrid environments, including compute, network and storage, along with strong familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID and familiarity with Microsoft 365 administration. (learn.microsoft.com) ### How does this fit into Microsoft’s broader certification push? Microsoft on March 3 said it was launching a new wave of certifications for AI-powered roles, with beta exams rolling out over the following months and general availability expected later in 2026. In that post, Microsoft said the Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate expands the security role to include cloud and AI model protection. (learn.microsoft.com) A February 5 Microsoft Community Hub discussion showed the company was still blueprinting the exam earlier this year. Liberty Munson, a Microsoft employee, wrote that Microsoft was “considering a credential” for Cloud and AI Security Engineer and sought survey input through February 20 on how exam questions should be weighted. (learn.microsoft.com) ### What happens to the older Azure security certification? Microsoft said in a May 11 partner update that the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification, known as AZ-500, will retire in August 2026 and be replaced by the new Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate certification, SC-500. Microsoft also said partners will have a transition period during which either certification can count toward skilling requirements for the Solutions Partner designation for Security and related specializations. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) ### What are the practical details for candidates now? The Microsoft Learn certification page says the beta exam requires a passing score of 700 and lasts 120 minutes. Microsoft also says beta exams are not scored immediately because the company is still gathering data on question quality and exam performance. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) As of May 16, Microsoft says no training is yet listed directly on the certification page and the practice assessment is “not currently available.” Microsoft says practice assessments are usually posted within eight weeks after an exam leaves beta and becomes generally available. In August 2026, AZ-500 is scheduled to retire and SC-500 is set to take its place in Microsoft’s security certification lineup. (techcommunity.microsoft.com) (learn.microsoft.com)