Microsoft integrates CompTIA's Security+ into new MCSA and MCSE security certifications

These new Microsoft specializations will allow IT professionals to demonstrate deep, role-based skills around implementing security on the Windows 2000 platform and validate their ability to create a secure computing environment. Microsoft said that CompTIA Security+ supports the industry-wide objectives of these two new certifications. Candidates will have a choice between Security+ and the Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000 exam to satisfy one of the specialization requirements for the MCSA: Security and MCSE: Security certifications.

"Security+ is a certification for intermediate-level IT professionals," said John Venator, CEO and president, CompTIA. "Everything about it is designed to build a strong foundation for carrying out the daily tasks of information security. Microsoft's decision about Security+ is a milestone for this new certification. We anticipate many more such milestones and are proud today to be recognized so significantly by Microsoft."

CompTIA Security+ provides a global benchmark for identifying candidates who are prepared for more advanced training, certification, and additional responsibilities in security. CompTIA Security+ certifies that a candidate has mastered security job-task skills equivalent to a networking professional with two years practical experience with some emphasis on security.

"Microsoft participated with CompTIA to develop the Security+ certification because we recognize the need for broad, cross-platform security skills across the industry," said Dan Truax, Director of Business and Product Strategy at Microsoft Training and Certification. "We're excited about including it in our security certifications because we know that these skills have particular value to IT professionals when combined with platform-specific security skills. We're also happy to announce that Security+ is now an elective for our existing MCSA and MCSE credentials - this means that all IT professionals have the opportunity to gain and validate these skills - not just security specialists.

"CompTIA certifications, such as Security+, are developed by leading experts from all sectors of the IT industry, and meet the highest standards of certification testing. The objectives are generated by an extensive job task analysis of actual professionals performing appropriate job roles. All questions undergo a multilevel review process that ensures they are accurate as well as psychometrically sound and test responses are validated through statistical analysis."

Candidates who have already earned CompTIA Security+ have taken a significant step forward toward preparing themselves for the MCSA: Security and MCSE: Security certification. These professionals have validated job-tasks skills typically performed by those with at least two years on-the-job networking experience with some emphasis on security. They have demonstrated mastery of general security concepts, communications security, infrastructure security, basics of cryptography, and operational/organizational security.

Representatives from the United States government were founding organizations of the CompTIA committee, which guided development of the Security+ certification examination. Founding organizations from government included: the FBI, Secret Service, Cybersmuggling Center - U.S. Customs, National Institute of Standards Technology, and Argonne National Laboratory.

Founding organizations representing leading corporations and security associations included: Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, Symantec, IBM/Tivoli Software, Novell, Motorola, Olympus Security Group, RSA Security, VeriSign, Entrust, Information Systems Security Association, and Information Systems Audit and Control Association.

Academic institutions and training and courseware providers on the committee included: Virginia Community College System - Institute of Excellence for Information Technology, Course Technology, Marcraft International, Sybex, Ascendant Learning, ElementK, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Tech-Connect, and Intense School. Courseware companies are developing textbooks and study-based software. Those passing quality guidelines are referenced on the CompTIA website. Academic as well as commercial training organizations have developed curricula to prepare certification candidates for the Security+ examination.

Information on applying CompTIA Security+ credentials to Microsoft certification is at www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/comptia.asp