(Updated) Attack Simulation Training Update – Select Training Modules to Be Retired

Message Center ID: MC1113279
Microsoft Defender XDR
Plan for Change
Major Change User impact Admin impact Retirement
August 2025 September 2025

Summary

Twelve Attack Simulation Training modules will be retired: unavailable for new assignments after August 20, 2025, and removed from the platform after September 24, 2025. Admins should update campaigns, notify users to complete trainings before removal, and explore alternative modules in the Content Library.

Details

Updated September 23, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

What and Why

As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline the training experience and ensure access to the most impactful and relevant content, we will retire 12 training modules from the current catalog. These modules are being removed to improve catalog clarity and streamline the training experience.

Rollout Schedule

  • August 20, 2025 – Modules will no longer be available for new assignment in the admin console.
  • September 24, 2025 (previously September 20) – Modules will be removed from the platform and inaccessible to end users.

Impact on Your Organization
Who is affected:

  • Microsoft 365 tenant admins managing training or simulation campaigns.
  • End users currently enrolled in the affected training modules.
What will happen:
  • The following 12 modules will be retired: 
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 01: Introduction and Overview
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 02: Core Principles of Cyber Security
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 03: Security Program Management
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 04: Security Maintenance and Hygiene
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 05: Authentication and Authorization
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 06: Data Protection
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 07: Sample Attacks
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 08: Attack Scenario
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 10: Securing Cloud Computing Environments
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 11: Securing Web Servers
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 12: Attack Case Study, Supply Chain Attacks

  • After August 20, 2025: Tenant admins will no longer be able to assign these modules in training campaigns or simulation campaigns.
  • After September 20, 2025: Users who have not completed these trainings will lose access.
  • All other training modules remain available and unaffected.

Action Required/Recommendations

  • Review active training and simulation campaigns to identify if any of the retiring modules are included.
  • Notify users currently enrolled in these trainings and encourage completion before September 20, 2025.
  • Update any future campaigns or auto-enrollments that include the retiring modules before August 20, 2025.
  • Explore alternative training options in the Content Library. Visit the Training modules section to browse available content.

Compliance Considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

Change History

September 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM Updated
Title
Previous
Attack Simulation Training Update – Select Training Modules to Be Retired
New
(Updated) Attack Simulation Training Update – Select Training Modules to Be Retired
Summary
Previous
12 training modules will be retired to streamline the training experience. From August 20, 2025, they can't be assigned, and from September 20, 2025, they will be inaccessible. Affected parties should review and update their training plans accordingly. No compliance considerations are identified.
New
Twelve Attack Simulation Training modules will be retired: unavailable for new assignments after August 20, 2025, and removed from the platform after September 24, 2025. Admins should update campaigns, notify users to complete trainings before removal, and explore alternative modules in the Content Library.
Last Updated Date
Previous
2025-07-11T03:38:01.867Z
New
2025-09-23T19:53:05.563Z
Tags
Previous
User impact,Admin impact,Retirement
New
Updated message,User impact,Admin impact,Retirement
Body Content
Previous

What and Why

As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline the training experience and ensure access to the most impactful and relevant content, we will retire 12 training modules from the current catalog. These modules are being removed to improve catalog clarity and streamline the training experience.

Rollout Schedule

  • August 20, 2025 – Modules will no longer be available for new assignment in the admin console.
  • September 20, 2025 – Modules will be removed from the platform and inaccessible to end users.

Impact on Your Organization
Who is affected:

  • Microsoft 365 tenant admins managing training or simulation campaigns.
  • End users currently enrolled in the affected training modules.
What will happen:
  • The following 12 modules will be retired: 
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 01: Introduction and Overview
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 02: Core Principles of Cyber Security
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 03: Security Program Management
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 04: Security Maintenance and Hygiene
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 05: Authentication and Authorization
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 06: Data Protection
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 07: Sample Attacks
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 08: Attack Scenario
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 10: Securing Cloud Computing Environments
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 11: Securing Web Servers
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 12: Attack Case Study, Supply Chain Attacks

  • After August 20, 2025: Tenant admins will no longer be able to assign these modules in training campaigns or simulation campaigns.
  • After September 20, 2025: Users who have not completed these trainings will lose access.
  • All other training modules remain available and unaffected.

Action Required/Recommendations

  • Review active training and simulation campaigns to identify if any of the retiring modules are included.
  • Notify users currently enrolled in these trainings and encourage completion before September 20, 2025.
  • Update any future campaigns or auto-enrollments that include the retiring modules before August 20, 2025.
  • Explore alternative training options in the Content Library. Visit the Training modules section to browse available content.

Compliance Considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

New

Updated September 23, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

What and Why

As part of our ongoing efforts to streamline the training experience and ensure access to the most impactful and relevant content, we will retire 12 training modules from the current catalog. These modules are being removed to improve catalog clarity and streamline the training experience.

Rollout Schedule

  • August 20, 2025 – Modules will no longer be available for new assignment in the admin console.
  • September 24, 2025 (previously September 20) – Modules will be removed from the platform and inaccessible to end users.

Impact on Your Organization
Who is affected:

  • Microsoft 365 tenant admins managing training or simulation campaigns.
  • End users currently enrolled in the affected training modules.
What will happen:
  • The following 12 modules will be retired: 
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 01: Introduction and Overview
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 02: Core Principles of Cyber Security
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 03: Security Program Management
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 04: Security Maintenance and Hygiene
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 05: Authentication and Authorization
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 06: Data Protection
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 07: Sample Attacks
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 08: Attack Scenario
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 10: Securing Cloud Computing Environments
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 11: Securing Web Servers
    • Security Essentials for IT Administrators 12: Attack Case Study, Supply Chain Attacks

  • After August 20, 2025: Tenant admins will no longer be able to assign these modules in training campaigns or simulation campaigns.
  • After September 20, 2025: Users who have not completed these trainings will lose access.
  • All other training modules remain available and unaffected.

Action Required/Recommendations

  • Review active training and simulation campaigns to identify if any of the retiring modules are included.
  • Notify users currently enrolled in these trainings and encourage completion before September 20, 2025.
  • Update any future campaigns or auto-enrollments that include the retiring modules before August 20, 2025.
  • Explore alternative training options in the Content Library. Visit the Training modules section to browse available content.

Compliance Considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

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