CCSP - Cisco Certified Security Professional Definition and Resources

Definition: The CCSP certification is an advanced network security certification. Candidates for the certification are tested for advanced knowledge of various Cisco security products. To attain this certification several tests must be passed in the areas of VPN, IDS, PIX firewall, Secure IOS, the Cisco SAFE, as well as having a CCNA or equivalent (CCNP or CCIP). The common practice is to take five exams which include one elective paper.

MCAD - Microsoft Certified Application Developer

Microsoft Certifications Overview:

Microsoft has recently revamped their certificates programs to be more targeted. The Certifications Overview provides a map of how the certifications fit together. In addition, the newer Microsoft Certifications have lifecycle policies that are new to the Microsoft Certification program. These policies were put in place to ensure that Microsoft Certifications remain up-to-date on relevant Microsoft technologies.

Training for the Microsoft Certifications can be accomplished in a classroom or via distance or e-learning programs. More information about the Microsoft training programs can be found on the training pages.

The MCAD - Microsoft Certified Application Developer:

The Microsoft MCAD certification is intented to provide recognition for developers who build applications using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET and Web services on the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 and Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1.

MCAD candidates are required to pass two core exams and one elective exam in an area of specialization. The core exams include one exam that is focused on either Web Application Development or Windows Application Development in the language of your choice; you must then pass one Web Services and Server Components exam. The elective exam is intended to provide proof of expertise with a specific Microsoft server product. The Microsoft learning site has a chart showing which exams satisfy which requirements. They also provide training links and links to study materials.

MCITP - Microsoft Certified IT Professional

MCITP - Microsoft Certified IT Professional:

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential shows that you have current skills and proven job-role capabilities to work effectively with a comprehensive set of Microsoft technologies.

There are currently 7 sub-specialties within the MCITP certification:

• IT Professional: Business Intelligence Developer This certification demonstrates that you can design analysis solutions, data transformations, and reports. Business intelligence developers design and implement multi-dimensional database models (logical and physical), data marts, data warehousing, data transforms, data analytics, and reporting solutions.
  
  
• IT Professional: Consumer Support Technician is the premier certification to highlight and validate your expertise and skill set in a job role supporting a broad range of consumer desktop operating systems, desktop applications, mobile devices, networking, and hardware support issues related to the Windows Vista operating system.
  
  
• IT Professional: Database Developer shows your expertise in designing and implementing relational database models (logical and physical) and database storage objects. May also program servers by using user-defined functions, triggers, stored procedures, Transact-SQL, or the CLR.
  
  
• IT Professional: Database Administrator install or configure Microsoft SQL Server and manage or maintain databases or multidimensional databases, user accounts, database availability, recovery, and reporting.
  
  
• IT Professional: Enterprise Messaging Administrator highlights the knowledge and skills associated with performing as the lead engineer for messaging solutions within an enterprise organization, as well as the ability to design and deploy messaging solutions with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007.
  
  
• IT Professional: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007 provides industry recognition to project managers and other professionals who use Microsoft Office Project Professional 2007 and Office Project Server 2007 to manage and support projects in an enterprise project management (EPM) environment.
  
  
• IT Professional: Enterprise Support Technician the knowledge and skills required to deploy and support the Windows Vista operating system. Candidates for the MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician credential have expertise in deploying Windows Vista, managing security, and troubleshooting network issues, with at least three years of experience as a tier 2 or lead desktop support technician.

MCDBA - Microsoft Certified Database Administrator

Microsoft Certifications Overview:

Microsoft has recently revamped their certificates programs to be more targeted. The Certifications Overview provides a map of how the certifications fit together. In addition, the newer Microsoft Certifications have lifecycle policies that are new to the Microsoft Certification program. These policies were put in place to ensure that Microsoft Certifications remain up-to-date on relevant Microsoft technologies.

Training for the Microsoft Certifications can be accomplished in a classroom or via distance or e-learning programs. More information about the Microsoft training programs can be found on the training pages.

The MCDBA - Microsoft Certified Database Administrator:

The MCDBA is designed to make sure you have the skills to lead organizations in the successful design, implementation, and administration of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 databases.

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on Microsoft SQL Server 2000 candidates need to pass three core exams and one elective exam. The core exams include one SQL Server administration exam and one SQL Server design exam. In addition, MCDBA candidates have the option to pass either one Windows 2000 Server or one Windows Server 2003 exam to fulfill the networking systems core requirement. The elective exam requirement is to provide proof of expertise with a specific Microsoft server product.

More information about the exams, courses and test preparation for the Microsoft MCDBA can be found on Microsoft's certifications learning site.

CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional

The CISSP is known as the "gold standard" of security certifications. It is governed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium or (ISC)2. The CISSP is a baseline certification recognized by the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency.

There are several requirements that must be met for the CISSP certification:

• You must have a minimum of five years of professional experience in information security. One year of this may be waived if you have a four-year college degree, a Master's degree in Information Security, or if you have one of a number of other certifications from other organizations.
• You must attest to the truth of their assertions regarding professional experience and you must accept the CISSP Code of Ethics.
• You must attest to lack of criminal history and related background.
• You must pass the CISSP exam with a score of 700 points or greater. The exam is an intense, 250 questions to be answered over a period of six hours.
• You must have your qualifications endorsed by another CISSP or other qualified professional. For this requirement, the endorser will be attesting that your claims of professional experience are true (to the best of their knowledge) and that you are in good standing within the information security industry.

There are also 3 concentration certifications available with the CISSP. The concentration certification shows an expertise in a specific core subject. The concentartions available are:

• ISSAP - Information Systems Security Architecture, which is a concentration in Architecture
• ISSEP - Information Systems Security Engineering Professional which is a concentration in Engineering
• ISSMP - Information Systems Security Management Professional, which is a concentration in Management

Information on the certification requirements and exams can be obtained from (ISC)2.

CAPM Certification From PMI

The CAPM certification is designed specifically for project team members, and is aimed at improving overall project success by helping to ensure project management knowledge. To become a CAPM credential holder, you must meet specific guidelines designed to measure experience, education and professional knowledge. You must pass a 3 hour exam that assesses your knowledge of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), and you must agree to adhere to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

To be eligible for the CAPM, you must have:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or the global equivalent
• 1,500 hours of work on a project team or 23 contact hours of project management education
• You must pass the three-hour, 150-question, exam. This exam is based on the PMBOK® Guide.

Project Management Professional Certification

PMP Certification From PMI:

PMI’s PMP credential is designed to demonstrate a strong level of project management leadership skills. In order to be eligible for a PMP credential from PMI, you must meet certain guidelines. These guidelines are designed to measure experience, education and professional knowledge. There is also a four hour exam that you must pass, which is designed to assesses project management skills and knowledge.

In order to be eligible for a PMP certification, you must meet the following guidelines as laid out by the Project Management Institute:

• You must have 35 hours of specific project management education.
• If you have a Bachelor’s Degree (or the global equivalent), you must also have a minimum three years’ professional project management experience, during which 4,500 hours are spent leading and directing project tasks, up to eight years from the time of application.
• If you do not have a Bachelor’s Degree (or the global equivalent), you must have a minimum five years’ professional project management experience, during which at least 7,500 hours are spent leading and directing project tasks, up to eight years from the time of application.

Learn more about the Project Management Institute and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification by visiting their website.