A certification is one of the most valuable weapons in your job-hunting arsenal. A college degree and some experience a??? and maybe a brother-in-law whoa??s the hiring manager a??? doesna??t hurt either. But companies eager to hire specialists turn to certified candidates, in hopes that those candidates will be able to hit the ground running, and will require no training period. Although a bachelora??s degree in computer science is always a plus, it doesna??t necessarily prove that you know how to run a Microsoft network. An MCSE does.

The most popular certifications, by far, are those from Microsoft and Cisco, but hundreds of designations are available for every conceivable specialty. For a comprehensive listing of certifications, consult Anne Martineza??s book, Get Certified & Get Ahead (McGraw-Hill).

a??In IT certification, what youa??re going to get is some immediate bang for your buck in terms of salary increase,a?? said Amit Yoran, CEO of information security provider Riptech and adjunct professor at George Washington University. However, Yoran still stresses the importance of having a college degree to accompany the certification.

Why certify? Doug Kendzierski, associate vice provost at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), said, a??Wea??re in a market in which demand has never outpaced supply by such a tremendous disparity.a?? Certification is a way to prove to a potential employer that you have a specific set of skills, thereby making their hiring decision a little bit easier.

Whata??s the hottest certification?

a??Two areas of focus I see as very attractive is any sort of networking-based technologies, and the other is software engineering disciplines,a?? said Yoran. Beyond the most common certifications (Microsoft, Cisco, Novell), though, there are plenty of other designations that may be just as valuable. If you want a career in Linux, get the RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer) certification. If you want to cash in on the increasing concern over network security, the SANS GIAC (System Administration, Networking, and Security Global Incident Analysis Center) certificate will show potential employers that you can protect the corporate goodies. To gain even more leverage, combine this vendor-neutral security certification with a vendor-specific one. Almost every firewall-equipment vendor has its own certification program, and a generic security certification combined with a CCSE (Check Point Certified Security Engineer) or a Cisco Security Specialist certificate would make for a quick path to employment.

Of course, the venerable MCSE still carries a lot of weight, perhaps more than ever since Microsoft made the test more scenario-based and less theoretical. The test is definitely more difficult, but that makes it more valuable in the marketplace. According to Mike Smith, senior product marketing manager for IT training and courseware development company Wave Technologies International, a??They dona??t just say, a??Here, answer this question.a?? Microsoft has case studies, where they say, a??Herea??s a scenario, read these three pages and answer these seven questions.a?? Theya??ll give you a diagram of pieces to a network puzzle and say, a??Put this together, tell me where your routers go, where your servers go, where your desktops are going to be and tell me the flow of your cabling.a?? Youa??re not going to come up with that on your own.a??

Vendor-specific or vendor-neutral?

a??If you take a networking essentials exam, you dona??t learn networking essentials, you learn Microsofta??s view of networking essentials,a?? said Yoran. This is a useful approach if you are going to run a Microsoft network, but according to Yoran, a??the academic approach is a much purer one.a?? If you have a vendor-specific certification, you understand a specific piece of proprietary technology, and that is often what employers want. But in the long run, confining yourself to a single vendor-specific certification may limit your advancement options. a??Youa??re taking a near-term gain with a long-term detriment,a?? said Yoran.

Combining a vendor-specific certification with a vendor-neutral one will expand your horizons and position your value beyond a specific piece of technology. a??Somebody who is just starting out has no choice but to start at a vendor-neutral platform,a?? said Kendzierski, a??because what they need is a full survey of technology that is not rooted in a particular product.a?? You should pursue a certification in a specific vendora??s technology after you get that theoretical background, either through a vendor-neutral certification or college education.

The cost factor

You can easily spend thousands a??? even tens of thousands a??? of dollars on a combined training/certification program, although the testing alone usually only costs a couple hundred. The best deal is still Brainbench, a Web-based testing center that offers certificates for just about anything you can think of and is well-known and respected throughout the IT industry. Some tests are still available for free, but most cost $19.95.

From
http://exam-test-blog.org/which-certification-is-best-for-you/

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CCNA is one of the most respected Associate level Certification in the world today.

Getting a CCNA will definitely help you to get a better job or at least get your foot into Professional Networking Field. When you meet a person that has CCNA degree you will notice that he or she knows something about Networking.

This article will describe and give you some tips on how to achieve CCNA.

I did it so can you, so lets get started.

1. Getting ready mentally

First thing you need to do is mentally prepare your self. What I mean by that is that you have to seriously think about on why are you getting CCNA and why do you want to be CCNA certified. You have to firmly decide and believe that you will get CCNA within next 3-6 months or so.

Try to budget your study time well. If you a very social person (like me) you will have to give up some of your social time for the next couple of months.

Your friends and family will understand. Trust me: it is well worth it. Once you get that cert you can make up for the lost social time.

2. Getting the right study material

Second thing you need to do is to get proper study material.

There is lot of controversy around this and some people go overboard with study guides, books, simulators and such.

I believe that two Cisco Press books INTR and ICND by Wendell Odom are enough as far as the books go. They are really well written and easy to follow. So sign up at http://www.ciscopress.com and get those two books. Make sure you got the latest version.

You will also want to get some kind of a simulator that will let you practice commands and that will also build up your confidence.

You can buy real equipment but that could get expensive. I highly recommend that you become member of Cisco Certification forum.

Forum is huge and you will get lot of helpful answers, tips and advices pretty quick. (I know I did)

3. Approach and diving deep

There are many different approaches to studying from books but I will tell you about mine. This step will take the most of your studying time.

- Before you even start reading any of the books I suggest learning binary math (really easy) and subnetting so you can do it in your sleep.

- Read both books casually once from front to cover (make sure you cover introduction and practice questions too). This will give you good overview.

- Install both CDa??s that came with books and practices some of the questions. Dona??t worry if you get lot of them wrong.

- Now, you will ready both books again but this time you will have to read it to truly understand the concept and how things work. Master one chapter and do questions from just that chapter until you sick of it. Then move to the next chapter.

- Once you mastered all chapters do lot of questions and labexercises. Those two CDa??s will give you ability to do that.

4. Schedule the test

Youa??re not done yet with studying but it is really good to schedule the test after you completed step 3 in this article. Here is why:

If you schedule the test a month in advance right after you completed step 3, you wona??t be able to slack and make excuses not to study hard until tests and it is also good to give your self a headline. I have seen people working on their CCNA for 2 years. They master one or two chapters, then they rest for 2 two months and right when they think they are ready for the next chapter, they forget what they have learned in the first chapter.

5. Read both books one more time to refresh

This is optional, but I highly recommend reading the both books one more time. If you read both books in a three week that will give you one more week before the test to cram which is subject of the next step. So by now you shoulda??ve read both books three times over. I also suggest re-reading questions and answers from both books one more time.

6. Cram, Cram and Cram

- This is the last part of your study and there is no turning back.

Deadline is hanging around your neck like a noose. You should cram Q&A for no more then 10 days before you take the test.

At this point it is really important that you get fresh and different questions then those included with your CDa??s. Some people claims that brain dumps or Q&A are bad and evil. I tend to disagree with that. At this point you already firmly grasped the whole CCNA concept and Q&A will only help you. So get some Q&A exam question and cram, cram and cram them for a week.

- Dona??t use books or CDa??s anymore.

There is no looking back. No worries, material from the books will return to you at the right time.

- Dona??t do any studying a night or a day before the test.

Go out with your wife or significant other to a dinner and a movie. Relax. It is very important to relax and get a good night sleep since one of those testing boots could really be intimidating. If you did all the steps above and read books with intention to understand the topics and how stuff works (no pun intended), and not just to pass the test you should be more then ready by now.

We came to an end of this short tutorial. I hope this article give you at least some ideas on how to approach studying for CCNA.

If you fail CCNA first time, dona??t get discouraged. You will have more knowledge and confidence when you attempt it the next time then the person who passed it on the first try. Whatever approach you take I wish you good luck and prosper career.

CCNA exams list: 640-802, 640-816, 640-822, 640-811, 640-821.

About the Author:

Vanja Buric is Network Engineer, and works for Charter Communication Business Engineering Department, and also owner of the http://www.vanjaburic.com website, where you can get latest networking news, articles,tips, free e-Books, virus alerts and lot morea?| as well as purchase IT Exam study guides.

From
http://exam-test-blog.org/how-to-pass-ccna-6-steps-to-success/

In the complex world of IT security education, fitting all the various certifications together can seem like a challenging task. Finally, there is an answer to this challenge. The Security Certified Program offers THREE certifications to validate your security skill set. The SCP has certified people in more than 40 countries.

SCNS

The Security Certified Network Specialist (SCNS) program focuses on the critical defensive technologies that are the foundation of securing network perimeters, such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and router security.

The SCNS certification requires the passing of one exam (number SC0-451).

The exam is designed to validate the essential perimeter security skills, including: Network Defense Fundamentals, Hardening Routers and ACLs, Implementing IPSec and VPNs, Advanced TCP/IP, Securing Wireless Networks, Designing and Configuring Intrusion Detection Systems, and Designing and Configuring Firewall Systems.

The SCNS credential is valid for two years from the pass date. Recertification is required to maintain good standing.

Prerequisite for this certification is CompTIA Security+ or equivalent experience.

SCNP

The Security Certified Network Professional (SCNP) program focuses on the required elements of securing a network, such as securing Windows and Linux systems.

The SCNP certification requires that candidates hold an SCNS credential, in good standing, and the successful passing of one exam (number SC0-471).

The exam is designed to validate the essential security skills for securing strategic elements of the network, including: Analyzing Packet Signatures, Creating Security Policies, Performing Risk Analysis, Ethical Hacking Techniques, Internet and WWW Security, Cryptography, Hardening Linux Computers, and Hardening Windows Server 2003.

The SCNP credential is valid for two years from the pass date. Recertification is required within two years to maintain good standing.

The prerequisite for this certification is the SCNS. Candidates must possess their SCNS, in good standing, prior to receiving their SCNP credential.

SCNA

The SCNA program will focus on the advanced security skills and technologies of building trusted networks. The skills and knowledge of the SCNA program includes: Law and Legislation issues, Forensics, Wireless Security, Securing Email, Biometrics, Strong Authentication, Digital Certificates and Digital Signatures, PKI Policy and Architecture, and Cryptography.

Prerequisite for this certification is the Security Certified Network Professional (SCNP) credential, with good standing.

The SCNA program is divided into two exams:Enterprise Security Implementation (ESI) ???number SC0-501????and The Solution Exam (TSE) (number SC0-502).

The Enterprise Security Implementation exam is designed to validate the technically advanced skills that a security architect requires. These skills include, but are not limited to: Law and Legislation issues, Forensics, Wireless Security, Securing Email, Biometrics, Strong Authentication, Digital Certificates and Digital Signatures, PKI Policy and Architecture, and Cryptography.

The Solution Exam will cover all facets of technologies covered in all four of The SCP courses. To successfully complete The Solution Exam, candidates will require knowledge of the following, but limited to: Firewalls, Intrusion Detection, Operating System Security, Risk Analysis, Security Policies, Signature Analysis, Virtual Private Networks, Router Security, Law and Legislation issues, Forensics, Wireless Security, Securing Email, Biometrics, Strong Authentication, Digital Certificates and Digital Signatures, PKI Policy and Architecture, and Cryptography.

The SCNA credential is then valid for two years from the pass date. Recertification is required at that time with a passing score on Exam SC0-502 only.

SCP offers training classes and self-study materials in preparation of the SCP program. For details, go to http://www.securitycertified.net/training_schedule.htm.
Pass4sure provides latest SCP exam questions and answers. For details, go to http://www.pass4sure.com/SCP-index.html.

Q. Why is Microsoft introducing specializations?

A. Microsoft is introducing specializations because individuals are asking for a way to identify their focus in a particular technical field, and IT managers are asking for a way to identify those individuals. With increasing numbers of individuals pursuing certification, and with expertise being sought after in many specific areas, customers want a way to distinguish proficiency in a given field.

Q. What is the difference between a certification and a specialization?

A. A certification validates and identifies competency in a specific job role. A specialization validates and identifies job role competency applied to a specific technical field. Specializations allow individuals who currently have or who are seeking certifications to highlight their focus in a specific field.

Q. Are MCSA specializations more advanced than the MCSA certification?

A. No. A certification specialization proves and identifies a focus on a specific technical field. However, the job role proficiency that is validated by the certification is the same for an MCSA with or without a specialization.

Q. Which specializations are available today?

A. Messaging and Security specializations are available on Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003. Candidates can achieve MCSA: Messaging or MCSA: Security on Windows 2000 today and can start taking exams for MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security on Windows Server MCSA 2003. The final exams that are required for MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003 will be available later this year.

Q. Can an exam satisfy both the MCSA elective requirement and a specialization requirement?

A. Yes. If you have already taken a specialization requirement to satisfy your MCSA elective requirement, you are one step closer to achieving your specialization.

Q. If I have a Windows 2000 specialization and I upgrade my MCSA certification from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003, will my specialization be upgraded also?

A. Upgrade requirements for specializations will vary. You may have to meet additional requirements beyond those necessary to upgrade your MCSE certification. See each specific certification specialization page for full details on upgrade requirements.

From
http://exam-test-blog.org/faq-about-mcsa-specializations/

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