SC-401: Administering Information Security in Microsoft 365

Exam Overview and PurposeThe Microsoft SC-401 certification exam is designed to validate skills in planning and implementing information security for sensitive data using Microsoft Purview and related services. The role is intended for Information Security Administrators who protect data in collaboration environments from internal and external threats, and also protect data used by AI services. Key Skill Domains and Weighting:The exam is structured around three major skill areas, each approximately equally weighted (30-35 % each):Domain 1: Implement information protectionDescription: Covers data classification, sensitivity labels, labeling policies, protection settings, and integration across workloads.Domain 2: Implement data loss prevention & retentionDescription: Involves designing and deploying DLP policies, adaptive protection, endpoint DLP, retention labels/policies.Domain 3: Manage risks, alerts and activitiesDescription: Focuses on Insider Risk Management, alert tuning, forensic evidence, activity investigations, and protecting content for AI environments.Responsibilities & What the Role Entails:As an Information Security Administrator under SC-401, you are expected to:`Collaborate with governance, data, and security stakeholders to define policies that meet organizational risk and compliance goals. Implement controls in Microsoft 365 (Exchange, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams) to enforce data protection, retention, and DLP rules. Design, deploy, and manage Insider Risk Management policies, investigate alerts and activities via Purview, and respond appropriately. Ensure that data processed by AI services is protected by applying appropriate policies, labels, and controls.Use Microsoft Purview Audit (and related tools)