Please visit https://captainhyperscaler.github.io for the latest posts. Thank you very much ..read more

As 2021 comes to a close, I always like to look back to my successes and challenges from the previous year and look ahead at what is next. Here are some of my accomplishments in 2021: 1. Certifications Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate Microsoft Security Compliance and Identity Fundamentals Microsoft Information Protection Associate Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator Associate Microsoft Security Operations Analyst Associate 2. Content Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator Associate exam guide written (early 2022 publication) Microsoft Security Compliance and Identity Fu ..read more

Cloud computing concept. It is mid-November 2021 and I have an announcement. I have chosen to take on a new challenge. As of today, I am no longer a direct employee of Opsgility. Monday, I will begin at Cloudreach as a Senior Product Manager owning their multi-cloud migration services. I’m very excited to be reunited with a former colleague of mine that I worked with and for at a previous company on the product development team. In addition to Azure, I will be working with AWS and GCP, so it provides me with an opportunity to continue to learn as well as teach. Prior to my move up Opsgility to ..read more

In my previous post, I shared my certification journey for Microsoft over the past 2+ years: https://captainhyperscaler.com/?p=1261. In this article, I would like to provide my thoughts and guidance on going down your own path to certification. Everyone’s path is different and these are just my thoughts as someone that has gone through many of the certifications within Azure, Microsoft 365, and Security. I have also taught many of these courses and can provide some thoughts on preparation as well. I will categorize this article in Azure Infrastructure, Azure Data, Azure AI, Azure Developer, M ..read more

2019 Badges I thought that I would share an update of my Microsoft cloud certification journey with you. This will accompany an article that I’m working on that provides my thoughts to guide you in choosing your own cloud certification path. My path started in 2019. Let’s revisit the timeline. 2019 Actually, late 2018, I obtained my first Microsoft certification. It was the MTA certification for Cloud Fundamentals. I had waivered for years about Microsoft Certifications through the MCP program. I was more of an architect and networking professional with limited Windows Server experience. So, I ..read more

I’ve been seeing some questions coming through social media regarding taking Microsoft exams from home. I thought that I’d provide some insight around what to expect and some of the do’s and don’ts to the process. 1. Prepare your workstation. You cannot have anything but your computer with one monitor and a camera. Multiple monitors are not allowed. You must have a device with a webcam, speakers, and a microphone. No papers or even water bottles allowed. 2. Check that your system works with the Pearson Vue application. If you go to your scheduled exam, there is a test your system link to do t ..read more

Azure Back to School is here again for 2021.  https://azurebacktoschool.com This event will focus on a month of videos on Microsoft cloud technologies.  This year, we will open it up to Microsoft 365 and Power Platform as well, even under though still under the Azure title.  To keep in the spirit of education, I would like this event to be used as a mentoring opportunity. I would like our experienced community contributors to find someone that is interested in presenting but may be hesitant. Work with them on the Azure (or Microsoft 365 or Power Platform) topic, and create a vi ..read more

This is my 2021 #AzureSpringClean contribution. Special thanks to Joe Carlyle (@wedoazure) and Thomas Thornton (@tamstar1234) for putting together this event for another year. All of the posts for this year’s event can be found at Azure Spring Clean. This post covers how to use the tools of Azure Policy and Azure Security Center to govern your resources in Azure, as well as on hybrid infrastructures. The topics that will be covered in this article are: What is Azure Policy and initiatives? How can they be utilized for organizational governance? What can Azure Security Center provide to manage ..read more

Microsoft is releasing four (4) new exams that are currently available in beta. These exams combine services across Microsoft 365 and Azure to create an exciting new Security, Compliance, and Identity track of exams. I have already scheduled to sit for the beta exams, and will be taking these all over the next week. In this post, I will provide my preparation and some feedback on each of these exams as I take them. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/introducing-microsoft-s-new-security-certifications/ba-p/2147106 SC-900 Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals ..read more

This is a continuation of the two (2) part security series titled “Gimme Shelter”. The importance of securing your cloud and hybrid resources never decreases. Part 1 of this series concluded on Friday, January 29 with Azure Sentinel, Part 1. The episodes in this series focused on Azure security services, technologies, and best practices and kicked off on Halloween, October 31. It included 13 videos spanning topics around Identity, Security, and Compliance within Azure. The list of topics and links to the episodes can be found here: “Gimme Shelter” Part 1…Security in Azure. Part 2 will pr ..read more