Certification Watch Volume 9 #4

Certification news regarding Computer certification news regarding Red Hat security certification, new Cisco specialist titles, CompTIA certification rollovers, CISA and CISM deadlines, IBM, Pervasive PSQL, LPI, and Microsoft certification counts.

Published April 3, 2006
By Anne Martinez

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Red Hat Adds Security Certification

A new certification focusing on Linux security has appeared on the Red Hat web site. The new designation, Red Hat Certified Security Specialist (RHCSS), proves advanced skills in using Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SELinux, and Red Hat Directory Server to meet the security requirements of today's enterprise environment. To earn this title you will have to pass 3 exams, which cost $749. It also looks like there might be a developer certification in the works, although this is strictly speculation on our part.

Cisco Launches 12 New Qualified Specialist Titles

Cisco recently announced the creation of 12 new Cisco specialist certifications. The new certifications align with Cisco Channel Partner requirements, but are also available to any technical professional involved with the design, implementation, and support of Cisco IP Communications, wireless, and security in a converged network. The new certifications include:

Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Design Specialist
Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Field Specialist
Cisco Security Solutions and Design Specialist
Cisco Advanced Security Field Specialist
Cisco Routing and Switching Solutions Specialist
Cisco Routing and Switching Field Specialist
Cisco Routing and Switching Sales Specialist
Cisco Foundation Design Specialist
Cisco Foundation Field Specialist

plus three sales specialist designations. The certifications require that you first hold CCDA or CCNA certification (which one varies by designation), plus pass one or more additional exams. For the complete list of Cisco Specialist certifications, see the Cisco website.

In other Cisco certification news, the Cisco Content Networking Specialist certification will retire on August 3, 2006. The last date to register for the associated Content Services Switch Operation and Configuration (CSSOC) is June 19, 2006.

CompTIA A+, Network+, Can Rollover to CST, CNST

A company called studyexam4less has created an alliance with the Electronics Technician Association (ETA) making it possible for individuals who hold particular CompTIA certifications to be awarded ETA certifications without sitting for any additional exams, although there is a rollover fee ranging from $49-$69. CompTIA A+ certified individuals can be granted ETA Computer Service Technician (CST), CompTIA Network+ individuals can be granted Certified Network Systems Technician (CNST), and i-Net+ individuals can obtain the ETA Certified Web Specialist (CWS) designation. For full details see the studyexam4less website.

CompTIA CTT+ Now Mandatory for MCTs in Gulf Region

Microsoft has made CompTIA's CTT+ a prerequisite for Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) certification in the Gulf region, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE, Yemen, and Pakistan.

The CTT+ exam consists of two parts: a computer-based exam with 95 questions and submission of a video demonstrating training expertise.

CISA and CISM Registration Deadlines Loom

The final date to register for the June 10, 2006 Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)exams is April 5, 2006. The next time the exams will be offered is December 9, 2006. More than 44,000 people have earned CISA certification to date. ISACA members pay $390 for either exam, and the charge for nonmembers is $510. You can save $35 by registering online at the ISACA web site.

Certification Changes From IBM

The newest certification from IBM, IBM Certified Specialist - Tivoli Identity Manager Express V4.6, is for individuals who plan, install, configure, troubleshoot, administer, and maintain an IBM Tivoli Identity Manager Express V4.6 solution. This replaces the designation for Tivoli Identity Manager V5.1. IBM Certified Specialist - eServer i5 iSeries Solution Sales V5R3 (Exam 259) has also retired this month.

New Pervasive PSQL v9 Certifications - Temporarily Free

Pervasive has released two new certification exams: Certified Pervasive PSQL v9 Technician and Certified PSQL v9 Developer. According to the Pervasive Web site, there will be no charge for these exams until June 1, 2006, when they will begin to cost $195 each.

LPI Exam Prices Rise

On March 15, 2006, the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) announced that exam prices will rise from $100 each to $150 each, effective immediately. According to LPI, the price will be subject to regional variations. This it the first price increase for LPI since 2000.

Latest Microsoft Certification Counts

Since its inception in 1992, more than 1.8 million people have earned Microsoft certifications. This includes 275,358 MCSEs on Windows 2000, 40,985 MCSEs on Windows 2003, 138,485 MCDBAs, 137,873 MCSAs on Windows 2000, and 62,155 MCSAs on Windows 2003.

That's all for this edition of Certification Watch. Please keep your certification news and tips coming to news@gocertify.com.

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