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What Is the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification And Why Do I Need It?

You know the terms “cloud” and “cloud services” but you may not be so sure what Microsoft Azure is or why it’s important. If you’re looking to start a career in IT, getting your AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is a great way to get your foot in the door. But what exactly is Microsoft Azure, why is the AZ-900 certification so important for getting a career in IT, and what is the pathway to passing this exam? Keep reading to find out.

What is Microsoft Azure? 

Azure is Microsoft’s cloud platform. Many businesses use its services to achieve business goals and objectives. These services include security, storage, analytics, networking, and more. As Azure is one of the top cloud computing services in the professional world, it’s important to demonstrate that you have a working knowledge of Azure if you are starting your IT journey. 

Why Do I Need the Microsoft Azure Certification? 

The AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification confirms your knowledge of both Azure foundations and general cloud concepts. To start a career in IT, you should have a working knowledge of the technologies and services that most companies are using. In many cases, you will be the on-prem expert. Businesses trust Azure to protect data and to streamline their processes. Many businesses already use Microsoft products — think Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and other M365 apps — so choosing Azure as their cloud platform makes perfect sense. 

The cloud is the future — and present. Understanding (and being certified in) cloud concepts will make your resume stand out amongst competition and make you eligible for more jobs with higher compensation. In the future, this skillset can help to get you promotions and raises — and lays the foundation for more professional development and becoming a cloud expert in the future. 

What is the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification? 

The AZ-900 certification exam assesses your knowledge of Azure and cloud concepts. It tests the following notions: 

  • Describe cloud concepts 
  • Describe core Azure services 
  • Describe core solutions and management tools on Azure 
  • Describe general security and network security features 
  • Describe identity, governance, privacy, and compliance features 
  • Describe Azure cost management and Service Level Agreements 

Because IT jobs are, for the most part, skill and merit based, supplementing your resume with certain certifications and deepening your understanding of computing technologies can only help advance your career. Even if you are only using Azure minimally in your first IT job, having this certification on your resume proves that you have a foundation of complex technologies and are willing to work hard to prove your capabilities. 

AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification Pathway 

If you don’t have prior IT experience or training, it will be difficult to walk into this exam blind. Getting your first job in IT doesn’t happen overnight — but it doesn’t take 4 years of training to get there either. Centriq is an online IT training program that takes you from an IT newbie to an IT professional in only a few months.  

Our accelerated training program works by laying an IT foundation palatable for IT beginners and then building up to complex topics week after week — so by the end of our program, you’ll be ready for an entry-level IT job. Our program is completely dedicated to preparing you for your new role. Your time in class depending on the program you select will cover: 

  • Cloud and cybersecurity 
  • Microsoft’s Active Directory domain 
  • Training for certifications (CompTIA, etc.) 
  • Open-source coding tools 
  • Kali Linux 
  • And, more! 

Upon completing our program, you’ll be able to add “IT certified” to your resume. 

Want more information on what you’ll learn in Centriq’s Online IT training program? Contact us today! 

Start Date
End Date
Day/Eve
Break Weeks
Track
Jan 23, 2023
Jul 27, 2023
Eve
4/3/23-4/7/23
5/22/23-5/26/23
7/3/23-7/7/23
CSSP-V
Jan 30, 2023
May 5, 2023
Day
3/6/23-3/10/23
4/10/23-4/14/23
CSSP-V
Feb 6, 2023
May 19, 2023
Day
3/27/23-3/31/23
FSCP-V
Mar 20, 2023
Jun 23, 2023
Day
4/24/23-4/28/23
5/22/23-5/26/23
CSSP-V
Apr 10, 2023
Jul 28, 2023
Day
5/29/23-6/2/23
7/3/23-7/7/23
FSCP-V
Apr 24, 2023
Oct 19, 2023
Eve
7/3/23-7/7/23
8/21/23-8/25/23
CSSP-V
May 15, 2023
Dec 14, 2023
Eve
7/3/23-7/7/23
9/4/23-9/8/23
11/20/23-11/24/23
FSCP-V
Jun 5, 2023
Sep 8, 2023
Day
7/3/23-7/7/23
8/7/23-8/11/23
CSSP-V
Jun 19, 2023
Oct 6, 2023
Day
7/3/23-7/7/23
9/4/23-9/8/23
FSCP-V
Jul 24, 2023
Jan 25, 2024
Eve
10/2/23-10/6/23
11/20/23-11/24/23
12/25/23-12/29/23
CSSP-V
Aug 14, 2023
Nov 17, 2023
Day
9/5/23-9/8/23
10/16/23-10/2/23
CSSP-V
Aug 28, 2023
Dec 15, 2023
Day
9/4/23-9/8/23
11/20/23-11/24/23
FSCP-V
Oct 30, 2023
Feb 2, 2024
Day
11/20/23-11/24/23
12/25/23-12/29/23
CSSP-V
Oct 30, 2023
May 2, 2024
Eve
11/20/23-11/23/23
3/4/23-3/7/23
CSSP-V
Nov 6, 2023
Mar 1, 2024
Day
11/20/23-11/24/23
12/25/23-12/29/23
1/29/24-2/2/24
FSCP-V
If you don't see the Cohort Start date you are looking for don't forget to check out our campus calendars.
CSSP-I: Cloud & Security Specialist Program (In-Person Modality)
CSSP-V: Cloud & Security Specialist Program (Live Virtual Modality)
FSCP-I: Full Stack Coding Program (In-Person Modality)
FSCP-V: Full Stack Coding Program (Live Virtual Modality)
Please note that Centriq will be closed on the following observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day following Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Start Date
End Date
Day/Eve
Break Weeks
Track
Feb 29, 2024
Mar 24, 2024
Day
3/25/24-3/29/24
4/22/24-4/26/24
CSSP-I
May 13, 2024
Aug 16, 2024
Day
5/27/24-5/31/24
7/1/24-7/5/24
CSSP-I
Aug 19, 2024
Nov 22, 2024
Day
9/2/24-9/6/24
10/21/24-10/25/24
CSSP-I
Dec 2, 2024
Mar 14, 2025
Day
12/23/24-12/27/24
12/30/24-1/3/25
2/10/25-2/14/25
CSSP-I
If you don't see the Cohort Start date you are looking for don't forget to check out our online instructor-led calendar.
CSSP-I: Cloud & Security Specialist Program (In-Person Modality)
CSSP-V: Cloud & Security Specialist Program (Live Virtual Modality)
FSCP-I: Full Stack Coding Program (In-Person Modality)
FSCP-V: Full Stack Coding Program (Live Virtual Modality)
Please note that Centriq will be closed on the following observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day following Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Start Date
End Date
Day/Eve
Break Weeks
Track
Jan 15, 2024
Apr 19, 2024
Day
2/19/24-2/23/24
3/18/24-3/22/24
CSSP-I
Feb 26, 2024
May 24, 2024
Day
4/1/24-4/5/24
CSSP-I
Apr 1, 2024
Oct 31, 2024
Eve
5/27/24-5/30/24
7/1/24-7/4/24
9/2/24-9/5/24
FSCP-V
Apr 08, 2024
Jul 12, 2024
Day
5/27/24-5/31/24
7/1/24-7/5/24
CSSP-I
May 20, 2024
Aug 23, 2024
Day
5/27/24-5/31/24
7/1/24-7/5/24
CSSP-I
Jun 24, 2024
Sep 27, 2024
Day
7/1/24-7/5/24
9/2/24-9/6/24
CSSP-I
Jul 29, 2024
Feb 6, 2025
Eve
9/2/24-9/5/24
11/25/24-11/28/24
12/23/24-12/27/24
12/30/24-1/3/25
CSSP-I
Aug 5, 2024
Nov 8, 2024
Day
9/2/24-9/6/24
10/7/24-10/11/24
CSSP-I
Sep 9, 2024
Dec 13, 2024
Day
10/14/24-10/18/24
11/25/24-11/29/24
CSSP-I
Oct 21, 2024
Jan 31, 2025
Day
11/25/24-11/29/24
12/23/24-12/27/24
12/30/24-1/3/25
CSSP-I
Dec 2, 2024
Mar 14, 2025
Day
12/23/24-12/27/24
12/30/24-1/3/25
2/10/25-2/14/25
CSSP-I
If you don't see the Cohort Start date you are looking for don't forget to check out our online instructor-led calendar.
CSSP-I: Cloud & Security Specialist Program (In-Person Modality)
CSSP-V: Cloud & Security Specialist Program (Live Virtual Modality)
FSCP-I: Full Stack Coding Program (In-Person Modality)
FSCP-V: Full Stack Coding Program (Live Virtual Modality)
Please note that Centriq will be closed on the following observed holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day following Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.