SC-401 (Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate)
SC-401 focuses on planning and implementing protection for sensitive data with Microsoft Purview and related services. Its scope includes information protection, data loss prevention, retention, insider risk management, protection of data used by AI services, and handling of information security alerts.
Exam Details
Proctored exam booked through Pearson VUE and scored on a scale of 1 to 1,000. Some questions may be interactive.
Price for exams proctored in the United States. Microsoft sets exam prices by the country or region of proctoring, and the listed price excludes taxes and promotional offers.
Requirements and Renewal
Prerequisites
None required. Microsoft recommends familiarity with Microsoft 365 services, PowerShell, Microsoft Entra, the Microsoft Defender portal, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps.
Renewal
Renew every 12 months by passing a free, unproctored online assessment on Microsoft Learn during the six-month window before expiry.
Current Version
SC-401.
Exam Domains
3 domains| Domain |
|---|
| Implement information protection (30-35%) |
| Implement data loss prevention and retention (30-35%) |
| Manage risks, alerts, and activities (30-35%) |
Tools Covered by SC-401
Microsoft Purview
CommercialUnified data governance, information protection, and DLP across Microsoft 365, Azure, and multicloud estates.
Related Tool Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Microsoft product does SC-401 focus on?→
Microsoft Purview. The exam covers sensitivity labels, data loss prevention, retention, and Insider Risk Management.
How long is the SC-401 exam?→
Candidates have 100 minutes. The passing score is 700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000.
How much does SC-401 cost?→
The US price is 165 USD. Microsoft uses regional pricing elsewhere.
Does SC-401 expire?→
Yes. Microsoft associate certifications expire annually and are renewed by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn.
Sources
Exam details are checked against official Microsoft pages. Fees, exam versions, and renewal rules change; confirm with Microsoft before registering. SC-401 is a trademark of its owner. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.