How to Pass the AZ-500 Exam Before It Retires in 2026

The Microsoft AZ-500 exam for the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification retires on August 31, 2026. This guide provides a focused study plan based on the January 2026 skills outline. Learn why this is an implementation exam, not a product tour, and what to study first across the four domains: identity, networking, compute/storage/databases, and Defender for Cloud/Sentinel. Get hands-on tips and avoid common mistakes to pass before the deadline. Start your free AZ-500 practice at https://open-exam-prep.com/practice/azure-az-500 Full blog guide: https://open-exam-prep.com/blog/azure-az-500-exam-guide-2026 ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 0:08 - Scene 1 0:39 - Scene 2 1:08 - Scene 3 1:41 - Scene 4 2:12 - Scene 5 2:44 - Scene 6 3:22 - Next steps Recommended study resources: Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Open Exam Prep earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. - MCA Microsoft Certified Associate Azure Security Engineer Study Guide: Exam AZ-500 (Sybex Study Guide): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119870372?tag=openexamprep-20 - Exam Ref AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Technologies: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0135364892?tag=openexamprep-20 - MICROSOFT AZURE SECURITY ENGINEER (AZ-500) EXAM PREP: The complete Study Guide to Passing the AZ-500 Certification Exam on your first attempt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G1YNDHY9?tag=openexamprep-20