AZ-104 and AZ-500 represent the administration and security specialization tracks in Azure. AZ-104 covers general Azure administration, while AZ-500 focuses specifically on implementing security controls, threat protection, and identity management in Azure.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Microsoft Azure Administrator | Microsoft Azure Security Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Exam Code | AZ-104 | AZ-500 |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Cost | $165 | $165 |
| Duration | 120 min | 120 min |
| Questions | 40–60 | 40–60 |
| Passing Score | 700/1000 | 700/1000 |
| Renewal | 1 year (free renewal assessment) | 1 year (free renewal assessment) |
| Prerequisites | None required; six months of hands-on Azure administration experience recommended | None required; strong understanding of Azure administration (AZ-104 level) and familiarity with security concepts recommended |
| Avg Salary Range | $90,000–$130,000 | $110,000–$150,000 |
Focus Areas
Microsoft Azure Administrator
Managing Azure identities and governance, implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing Azure compute resources, configuring and managing virtual networking, and monitoring and maintaining Azure resources
Microsoft Azure Security Engineer
Managing identity and access, securing networking, securing compute, storage, and databases, and managing security operations in Azure environments
Who Should Get Which?
Get Microsoft Azure Administrator if...
Azure administrators who manage infrastructure, resources, identities, and governance in Azure environments
Get Microsoft Azure Security Engineer if...
Security engineers specializing in Azure who implement security controls, manage identity and access, protect data, and configure threat detection
Recommended Order
Get AZ-104 first. AZ-500 assumes you can administer Azure resources and builds security expertise on top of that foundation. Most AZ-500 candidates already hold AZ-104 or equivalent hands-on experience.
Study Tips
AZ-500 builds directly on AZ-104 skills. Focus AZ-500 study on Microsoft Entra ID security features, Network Security Groups, Azure Firewall, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Key Vault, and Azure Sentinel. About 25% of AZ-104 content appears in AZ-500 as assumed knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Microsoft Azure Administrator and Microsoft Azure Security Engineer?
AZ-104 and AZ-500 represent the administration and security specialization tracks in Azure. AZ-104 covers general Azure administration, while AZ-500 focuses specifically on implementing security controls, threat protection, and identity management in Azure.
Should I get Microsoft Azure Administrator or Microsoft Azure Security Engineer first?
Get AZ-104 first. AZ-500 assumes you can administer Azure resources and builds security expertise on top of that foundation. Most AZ-500 candidates already hold AZ-104 or equivalent hands-on experience.
Who should get Microsoft Azure Administrator?
Azure administrators who manage infrastructure, resources, identities, and governance in Azure environments
Who should get Microsoft Azure Security Engineer?
Security engineers specializing in Azure who implement security controls, manage identity and access, protect data, and configure threat detection
Test Your Knowledge
Already studying? Try our free tools:
- Security+ Practice Quiz — 300 questions mapped to SY0-701 domains
- CVSS Calculator — Practice scoring vulnerabilities
Deep Dive Guides
FixTheVuln Store
Get the Study Planner for Microsoft Azure Administrator
Structured study planners with domain trackers, time blocking, and exam strategies. Standard + ADHD-friendly editions.
Shop Microsoft PlannersAlso available: CompTIA, (ISC)2, AWS, Cisco, and 60+ more