Validates knowledge of security operations, incident response and threat hunting with KQL using Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR.
A good SC-200 course teaches you to run security operations in Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR and to write KQL, with practice in a real lab. We compared the main options on coverage, hands-on work, format and price.
Most people should start with Microsoft's free SC-200 course on Learn and run its lab exercises in their own Azure subscription. Add John Christopher's Udemy course for video and simulated portals, Pluralsight if you already subscribe, and Kusto Detective Agency to get fluent in KQL.
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 SC-200 course on Microsoft Learn | Free official course | Interactive | Free |
 SC-200 Microsoft Security Operations Analyst Course & SIMs | Video with simulations | Video | $20 |
| SC-200 lab exercises | Hands-on labs | Interactive | Free |
 Kusto Detective Agency | KQL practice | Interactive | Free |
Microsoft's learning paths for SC-200 cover Sentinel, Defender XDR and KQL, with exercises you run in your own Azure subscription. They are the official material the exam is written against, and the course is free.
Great fit if you want the official material the exam is written against
Poor fit if you learn better from video; choose John Christopher's course
About 13.5 hours of video on Microsoft Sentinel, Defender XDR and KQL, with browser-based simulations of the portals. John Christopher updated it for the October 2026 exam.
Great fit if you want a paid video course with practice in simulated portals
Poor fit if you already work in Sentinel every day; Microsoft's course and labs are enough
A Pluralsight video path that follows the SC-200 skill areas and includes a practice exam. It needs a Pluralsight subscription, which has a 10-day free trial.
Great fit if you already have a Pluralsight subscription
Poor fit if you want deep hands-on coverage; choose Microsoft's lab exercises
The hands-on labs from Microsoft's official course, covering Defender XDR, Sentinel and KQL. You follow written instructions in your own Azure environment.
Great fit if you want structured practice in a real environment
Poor fit if you cannot use an Azure subscription; choose John Christopher's simulated portals
Gamified investigation puzzles from Microsoft that you solve by writing KQL queries. They build the query fluency that SC-200 hunting and Sentinel scenarios assume.
Great fit if you want to get fluent in KQL
Poor fit if you need Sentinel or Defender configuration practice; choose the lab exercises
For most people, Microsoft's free SC-200 course on Learn with its lab exercises. John Christopher's Udemy course suits learners who want video.
Yes. Microsoft's course, the lab exercises, Kusto Detective Agency and the free practice assessment are all free. Only the Azure usage in your own subscription can cost money.
Plan for about 60 hours in total. Christopher's video course alone runs about 13.5 hours.
Yes. KQL is central to hunting and Sentinel work on the exam, and Kusto Detective Agency is a free way to practise it.