- Published 2/6/2026
- 1st Edition
- Online video 978-0-13-591254-6
LinkedIn Learning training for the Microsoft Azure Essentials professional certificate, providing high-quality on-demand training for those new to Azure and the cloud.
Cloud computing touches almost every part of modern IT, and Azure sits right at the center of that shift. This Microsoft Azure Essentials training gives you a practical, no-nonsense foundation in how the cloud works and why Azure is important. Its designed for people early in their careers or making a career change who need a solid starting point before tackling more advanced certifications like AZ-900.
By the end of the course, learners will have the confidence to navigate Azure, recognize the core services, and understand how cloud solutions are built and secured. Whether someone plans to move into support, engineering, data, or security, this training provides the grounding they need to make sense of the cloud conversations happening all around them.
Skill Level:
Learn How To:
- Explain the fundamental concepts of cloud computing, including why organizations use the cloud and the core benefits of flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency.
- Differentiate between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, and identify simple, real-world examples of each service model.
- Describe Azures global structure, including regions, availability zones, resource groups, and subscriptions.
- Navigate the Azure Portal confidently and understand how common resources are created, organized, and managed.
- Recognize the major categories of Azure services such as compute, storage, networking, and data.
- Explain basic networking concepts in Azure, such as VNets, subnets, IP addresses, and public vs. private access.
- Understand how identity works in Azure, including the role of Entra ID, users, groups, roles, and basic RBAC.
- Identify foundational security tools and practices such as MFA, Key Vault, NSGs, and basic threat protection concepts.
- Understand Azure governance basics, including tags, Azure Policy, and why governance matters.
Course requirement:
None.
Who Should Take This Course:
Those who are new in role in an IT career or those who are transitioning to an IT career from another industry.
About Pearson Video Training:
Pearson publishes expert-led video tutorials covering a wide selection of technology topics designed to teach you the skills you need to succeed. These professional and personal technology videos feature world-leading author instructors published by your trusted technology brands: Addison-Wesley, Cisco Press, Pearson IT Certification, Prentice Hall, Sams, and Que Topics include: IT Certification, Network Security, Cisco Technology, Programming, Web Development, Mobile Development, and more. Learn more about Pearson Video training at http://www.informit.com/video.
Video Lessons are available for download for offline viewing within the streaming format. Look for the green arrow in each lesson.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Lesson 1: What Is Cloud Computing?
A big-picture introduction to the cloud, why it exists, and how its used.
1.1 The evolution of computing
- On-premises vs. hosted data centers
- What problems cloud computing solves
- Everyday cloud examples (email, streaming, online storage)
1.2 What the cloud really means
- Shared responsibility model (simple version)
- Benefits of the cloud: flexibility, global access, reduced overhead
- Terminology: data center, region, service, subscription
1.3 Cloud service categories
- IaaS, PaaS, SaaS explained in plain English
- Real-world analogies (renting land vs. renting a building vs. renting a hotel room)
- Simple examples of each
1.4 Cloud deployment models
- Public, Private, Hybrid
- When each is used
- Why enterprises mix cloud models
Lesson 2: Introduction to Microsoft Azure
A friendly walkthrough of Azures structure, UI, major categories.
2.1 What is Microsoft Azure?
- Azure as a global cloud platform
- Who uses Azure and for what
2.2 Azure architecture basics
- Regions, Availability Zones, Resource Groups
- Subscriptions (beginner-friendly version)
2.3 (Navigating the Azure portal
- Portal layout, search, resource blades
- Basic demo: creating a simple resource (e.g., a storage account view-only walkthrough)
- Tags, activity log, support/help options
2.4 Core Azure resource types
- Compute (VM conceptual overview only)
- Networking (virtual networks, IPs)
- Storage (files, blob, disks and why multiple options exist)
- Managed services (App Service, Functions - conceptual only)
Lesson 3: Azure Services for Modern Workloads
A practical look at the services people touch early in their cloud career.
3.1 Azure storage: the easiest way to work with cloud data
- Blobs, files, and storage tiers
- Real-world scenarios (backups, web apps, archiving)
- Basic demo/walkthrough of blob containers
3.2 Compute options
- What a virtual machine is (no deep OS/networking)
- When to choose VM vs. managed (PaaS) service
- Serverless in plain language (Azure Functions example)
3.3 Azure networking for humans
- VNet = cloud neighborhood
- Subnets = streets
- Public vs private endpoints
3.4 Data and AI services overview
- Azure SQL Database (managed service model)
- Azure Cosmos DB (global distribution concept)
- Azure Cognitive Services (ready-made AI APIs)
3.5 Monitoring and keeping things healthy
- Azure Monitor
- Alerts
- Basic cost insights
- What new cloud users should watch out for
Lesson 4: Security, Governance, and Cost Essentials
A lightweight but clear foundation for working responsibly in Azure.
4.1 Identity basics with Entra ID
- Basic concept of identity in Entra ID
- Users, groups, roles
- Multifactor authentication
- Role-based access control (RBAC) at a beginner level
4.2 Protecting your cloud resources
- Network security groups (concept only)
- Azure Key Vault (basics)
- Threat protection (what it is, not how to configure it)
4.3 Governance made simple
- Azure Policy (plain-language explanation)
- Blueprints (templates for compliance)
- Tags
4.4 Understanding Azure pricing and cost management
- Why cloud pricing is different from buying hardware
- Pay-as-you-go, reserved instances (simple examples)
- Azure Cost Management basics
- Tips for beginners so they dont accidentally overspend
4.5 Putting it all together
- Real-world scenario: deploying a simple web app or small solution
- How security, identity, cost, compute, storage all tie together
- Next-step learning paths (AZ-900, AZ-104, cloud fundamentals, etc.)
Summary
