The Retirement of Microsoft 365 Certifications: Implications for the Industry in 2023
Microsoft retires certifications for various reasons, including changes in technology, strategic direction, consolidation, the retirement of products or services, and maintenance and support. It is essential for professionals to keep pace with the latest developments in technology and the certification landscape to ensure that their skills remain relevant and in demand in the job market.
For instance, the vendor has recently announced the retirement of two of its popular certifications – the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate. The retirement of these certifications is significant for the industry and raises important questions about the direction of Microsoft’s certification program and the evolving nature of technology.
What Are the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate Certifications?
The Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate certification was designed to validate the skills of developers in building and deploying applications on the Microsoft Teams platform. This certification was introduced in 2019, and since then, it has helped developers demonstrate their expertise in building custom Teams solutions using Microsoft Graph API, SharePoint Framework, and Microsoft Power Platform.
The certification and associated Exam MS-600: Building Applications and Solutions with Microsoft 365 Core Services will be retired on March 31, 2023. At the same time, learners involved in the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program will be able to sit for the MS-600 exam by December 31, 2023. They can do that using a private access code available in the Microsoft partner portal.
The Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification, in its turn, was aimed at validating the skills of security administrators in implementing, managing, and monitoring security and compliance solutions in the Microsoft 365 environment. This certification was introduced in 2018 and helped security administrators demonstrate their expertise in configuring and managing security and compliance solutions, such as Azure Information Protection, Microsoft Cloud App Security, and Azure Advanced Threat Protection.
As security roles have developed over the past few years to deliver solutions in particular security areas, Microsoft has decided to retire this certification and the corresponding Exam MS-500: Microsoft 365 Security Administration by June 30, 2023. The candidates who want to validate their skills as security administrators can apply for certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Information Protection Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate, and Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate, each of which reflects the expertise for its specific specialization.
Why Does Microsoft Retire the Microsoft 365 Certifications?
The retirement of these certifications is a natural consequence of Microsoft’s evolving strategy and its focus on cloud-based services. In recent years, Microsoft has been consolidating its certification program and retiring certifications that are no longer relevant or aligned with its cloud strategy. In this context, the retirement of the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certifications is not surprising.
The retirement of these certifications means that developers and security administrators who hold these certifications will need to re-evaluate their skills and consider upgrading their expertise to align with the changing industry trends. This is particularly relevant for developers who need to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in cloud development and security administrators who need to adapt to new cloud-based security and compliance solutions.
The retirement of the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certifications also highlights the importance of continuous learning and professional development in the tech industry. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, it is essential for professionals to keep their skills sharp and stay ahead of the curve. This requires a commitment to lifelong learning, continuous upskilling, and adapting to new technologies.
Finally, the retirement of Microsoft 365 certifications has implications for organizations that use Microsoft technologies. As these certifications are retired, it is likely that the skills and expertise of professionals who hold these certifications will become less relevant. Organizations may need to reassess their training and certification programs to ensure that their employees have the skills and expertise required to work effectively with Microsoft technologies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the retirement of the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate and Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certifications is a significant development for the industry. It is a natural consequence of Microsoft’s evolving course and its desire to place a greater emphasis on cloud-based services. The retirement of these certifications also highlights the importance of continuous learning and professional development in the tech industry. As technology continues to progress rapidly, it is essential for professionals to keep their skills current and adapt to new technologies. Organizations may need to re-evaluate their training and certification programs to ensure that their employees have the relevant skills required to work effectively with Microsoft technologies.