Introduction

Curious about cloud computing and eager to build a solid foundation in Microsoft Azure? The AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification is your perfect starting point.

Whether you're a student, a professional from a non-technical background, or someone looking to switch into the world of cloud — AZ-900 offers a beginner-friendly pathway into Azure and key cloud concepts.

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services — like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics — over the internet (“the cloud”). It enables faster innovation, flexible resource usage, and cost efficiency by letting you pay only for what you use. Cloud providers also ensure high availability through built-in redundancy and global reach.

Why Choose AZ-900?

No prior IT or cloud experience required
Broad understanding of core Azure services and cloud principles
Great for transitioning into tech or cloud-focused roles
Serves as a foundation for certifications like AZ-104 (Administrator) or AZ-204 (Developer)

Who Should Take the AZ-900?

This certification is ideal for:

Students or IT beginners exploring cloud computing
Project Managers, Sales, or Marketing professionals in cloud-related projects
Decision-makers evaluating Azure for business use
Anyone curious about how the cloud works

What Topics Are Covered?

1. Core Cloud Concepts

Understand what cloud computing is, its key benefits (cost savings, flexibility, high availability), and different delivery models:

Public Cloud: Shared infrastructure managed by providers like Azure, AWS, or GCP
Private Cloud: Dedicated infrastructure for a single organization
Hybrid Cloud: A combination of public and private for flexibility

Also understand the three main service models:

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – e.g., Azure Virtual Machines
PaaS (Platform as a Service) – e.g., Azure App Service
SaaS (Software as a Service) – e.g., Microsoft 365

Coming up next: Detailed examples and simple visuals in Week 1 – Mastering Core Cloud Concepts.

2. Core Azure Services

Familiarize yourself with key Azure offerings:

Regions & Availability Zones
Compute: VMs, Containers, App Services
Storage: Blob, Disk, File
Networking: VNets, Load Balancers, VPN Gateways

3. Azure Solutions & Tools

Explore Azure’s advanced use cases and tooling:

IoT, AI/ML, Serverless (Functions, Logic Apps)
Azure Portal, CLI, PowerShell, Cloud Shell

4. Security, Identity & Governance

Learn about Azure’s enterprise-grade security and identity management:

Azure Active Directory (AAD)
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Azure Security Center, Key Vault, Policies, and Blueprints

5. Azure Pricing & Support

Understand how Azure billing works:

Pricing Calculator and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Calculator
Built-in cost management tools
Azure Support Plans and SLAs

AZ-900 Exam Details

Cost: ~$99 USD (~INR 4800)
Format: 40–60 questions (multiple choice and drag-drop)
Duration: 60 minutes
Passing Score: 700/1000
Languages Available: English, Japanese, Chinese, and more

Final Thoughts

Whether you're beginning a cloud career or looking to expand your skillset, AZ-900 is an accessible, well-rounded starting point. By investing just a few hours each week, you can:

Build a strong understanding of cloud principles
Earn a globally recognized Microsoft certification
Lay the groundwork for deeper learning and certifications

Next Up: Week 1 – Mastering Core Cloud Concepts with real-life examples and simple visuals.

Stay tuned. Your Azure journey starts now!