> MICROSOFT CERTIFIED SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR - MCSA: SECURITY ON WINDOWS 2003

Microsoft has introduced a new specialization to its Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification. It identifies systems administrators who demonstrate deep, role-based security skills on the Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system. The MCSA: Security specialization provides a way for IT professionals to highlight their focus on security in the enterprise and demonstrate their ability to create a secure computing environment.

MCSA: Security at a glance

Target audience:
Experienced systems administrators who are responsible for managing, maintaining, and implementing security on Microsoft Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 and as part of a secure computing environment.

Typical job titles for MCSA:

• Network Administrator

• Systems Administrator

• Technical Support Engineer

• Information Systems Administrator

• Network Technician

Experience:
Candidates should have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.

Exam requirements:
Three core exams and two security specialization exams.

Security skills are in high demand.
Organizations need to reduce the risk and impact of security issues, which means that security implementation skills are in high demand across the IT industry. Systems administrators who focus on security in their job role want to highlight their expertise in this field, and employers are eager to identify individuals who possess these skills. The Microsoft security specialization identifies Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators (MCSAs) who concentrate on security, setting them apart from their peers.

Enhance your status as an IT professional.
The MCSA: Security certification identifies systems administrators who specialize in managing, maintaining, and implementing security on the Windows platform and as part of a secure computing environment. Certification candidates are systems administrators who typically have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.

The certification demonstrates to employers, peers, and clients your ability to secure a computing environment. By distinguishing yourself from other IT professionals, you’ll gain an edge in marketing your skills—and succeeding on the job.

Create a secure computing environment.
The typical IT deployment cycle consists of five phases: design, plan, implement, manage, and maintain. The MCSA: Security certification covers skills associated with implementing, managing, and maintaining security in a network infrastructure.

Based on the MCSA credential, the MCSA: Security specialization measures a depth and breadth of security skills across the Windows platform. Exams include scenarios and case studies that are based on real-world business challenges, allowing you to validate your ability to create a secure computing environment.

IT professionals pursuing MCSA: Security certification must demonstrate core security skills appropriate to their job role, including implementing security on the Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 platforms. Candidates must show proficiency with Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition, or demonstrate security skills beyond Microsoft technologies by achieving CompTIA Security+ certification, which is an industry-recognized standard of competency for foundation-level security practitioners.

The benefits of security specialization.
IT professionals seeking to demonstrate security-specific knowledge and skills will benefit extensively by achieving the MCSA: Security specialization.

Reliably validate your security skills.
Microsoft and CompTIA certification exams are developed by respected industry experts with firsthand experience designing and implementing security for enterprise networks. IT professionals and organizations can be confident that these specializations validate in-depth security skills on the Microsoft platform.

Identify your focus on security.
Systems administrators who focus on security in the enterprise will exhibit security-specific skills on the Microsoft platform and across the entire computing environment by obtaining MCSA: Security certification.

Bring value to any organization.
IT professionals with the MCSA: Security certification bring industry-recognized best practices to their jobs. Certified individuals possessing security implementation and design skills are in a strong position to reduce the risk and impact of security issues on their organizations.

Upgrade path for certified professionals

Microsoft has designed an upgrade path that will enable you to earn the MCSA on Windows Server 2003 credential in a time- and cost-effective manner.

Exams required for MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003:

For complete details please go to www.microsoft.com/traincert