Solid understanding of Azure Networking — ExpressRoute, virtual networks (VNets) and peering, network security groups (NSGs), private endpoints, load balancing, DNS, and hybrid routing — enough to design hybrid topologies and evaluate replacing appliance-based load balancing with Azure-native services. • Deep working knowledge of core Azure services — compute, virtual networking, storage, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory / Azure AD), Azure Policy, Azure Monitor, and Cost Management — with the depth to validate designs, troubleshoot complex issues, and answer the hard questions.