Certified Ethical Hacker

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification for those individuals who have skills to penetrate network or computer systems. Using these same skills these individuals can identify and fix computer security weaknesses. CEH is a professional certification provided by International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council).

Ethical Hackers are computer or network experts who strike a security system on behalf of its owners, in the quest of vulnerabilities that a malicious hacker could utilize. To test a security system, ethical hackers use the same methods and tools as malicious hackers use, but report problems instead of taking advantage of them.

Ethical Hackers are also known as penetration testers and red teaming. The main objective of ethical hacker is to help the organization and take preventive measures against malicious attacks by attacking the system himself; while continuing their work within legal limits.

EC-Council Certifications are designed to provide the base required by every Electronic Commerce and Security Professional. EC-Council program provides broad range of skills and knowledge, required to build and administer an organization's networking and security operations.

Currently, CEH is in 6th version from August 2008. CEH certification is obtained after attended training at ATC (Accredited Training Center). Applicant can also prepare for Ethical hacking and Countermeasures Course through self-study, but he has to file an application and submits proof of relevant work experience in information security (min 2 years). After the training, applicant has to give one exam i.e. exam code 312-50. EC-Council Certification exams are available at authorized Prometric and Vue Test Centers and the exam costs USD $250.

IBM Lotus Certification Programs

IBM Lotus Notes is a client-server, shared application developed and sold by IBM Software Group. IBM describes the software as an "integrated desktop client option for accessing business e-mail, calendars and applications on an IBM Lotus Domino server”. It has many features like group calendaring and scheduling and SMTP based e-mail. It is essentially used as an e-mail client, but can it also be used as a browser, notebook, an instant messaging client as well as platform for interacting with shared applications.

Lotus Certification Programs
Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Notes and Domino 8	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Notes and Domino 7	Associate, Professional and Advanced level Certifications in Application Development and System Administration.
Lotus Security	Advanced level Certifications for Lotus Notes and Domino Security Professionals
Lotus Social Software	Professional level Certifications for Lotus Connections, Domino and WebSphere Portal.
Lotus Sametime	Professional level Certifications in System Administration.
WebSphere Portal	Professional level Certifications in Solution Development and System Administration on Portal V6.0 and V6.1

Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5

Application Development

Associate Level - IBM Certified Associate Application Developer should be able to exhibit the fundamental skills necessary to design and alter a database application that can be accessed by both Notes and browser clients. It is recommended that the developer understand the basic elements of Domino 8 environment, apply them with programming formulas and functions. Only 1 test is required to earn this Certification i.e., Test LOT-952.

Professional Level - This Certification requires a deeper knowledge of architectural concepts and use of complex functions and features. It is for the experienced Notes Domino 8 Application Developers. Prerequisites for this Certification is:

1. IBM Certified Application Developer - Lotus Notes and Domino 8,
2. Test LOT 951-IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 Application Development Update

Advanced Level - IBM Certified Advanced Level Application Developer on Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 should be able to validate the skills required to create and maintain Domino 8.5 Applications in one of the three areas; LotusScript or JavaScript or Web Services or developer can effectively create and deploy composite applications with Notes and Domino 8.5. To earn this Certification, prerequisites are; 1 Certification + 1 Test.

System Administration

Associate Level - This certification is for system administrators who are just starting out with Domino and who need to install, maintain and manage the Domino servers and users. It is required that administrator should be able to install and build the servers for the first time and establish the basic Domino domain. Applicant has to give one test, to earn this certification i.e. Test LOT -980 Operating Fundamentals.

Professional Level - IBM Certified System Administrator should be able to execute the tasks related with IBM Certified Associate System Administrator and express the skills linked with growth of Domino infrastructure. Prerequisites for this certification are; 1 Certification i.e. IBM Certified System Administrator - Lotus Notes and Domino 8 and 1 test i.e. Test LOT-956 System Administration Update.

Advanced Level - The IBM Certified Advanced System Administrator - Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 should be able to accomplish everyday jobs associated with the IBM Certified System Administrator - Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5, and validates knowledge of Domino Web server administration including configuring Web protocols (HTTP, LDAP, and others), and understanding HTTP rules and their effect on Web traffic. Prerequisites for this certification are; 1 Certification and 1 test.

Source: IBM Lotus

Online learning in bad times

Earlier, Mohit had written on the need for training in these times of economic distress. Recently, we had an opportunity to capture him on video while he was talking on this subject. Have a look, his enthusiasm to learn is contagious :)

Software Testing Certification

Quality Assurance (QA) is a thriving area in Information Technology which is unfortunately, not known to many. QA provides a means of monitoring the software engineering processes and methods used to ensure quality.

QA includes the developer’s effort to test his own code, as well as the IT professionals who are involved in testing tools. Many organizations and vendors have acknowledged testing as an integral part of development and maintenance process. Below are some certifications in this domain, developed to standardize and validate knowledge of QA process and testing tools.

Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
As the IT industry becomes more competitive, the ability for management to distinguish professional and skilled individuals in the field becomes pertinent. CAST Certification verifies basic-level knowledge of quality testing principles and practices. Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) signifies a professional level of expertise in the principles and practices of software testing in the IT profession

Prerequisites for CAST
To earn CAST, applicants must satisfy one of the three prerequisites:
1.Three year degree or 4 year degree from an accredited college-level institution
2.Two year degree from an accredited college-level institution and One year experience in the IT Field.
3.Three years experience in the information services field.

The applicant is required to provide detailed education or employment documentation, with selected prerequisite option on the application. If chosen for verification, applicant must provide all the documents for the program.

Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE)
The Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE) Program is intended to confirm standards for initial qualification and provide direction for the testing function through an educational program. Certified Software Tester (CSTE) indicates a professional level of proficiency in the principles and practices of quality control in the IT profession. CSTE’s become members of recognized professional groups and receive recognition by other professional associates. It provides rapid career advancement.

Prerequisites for CSTE
To earn CSTE applicant must satisfy one of the four prerequisites:
1.Four year degree from recognized university and 2 years of work experience in IT field.
2.Three year degree from recognized university and 3 years of work experience in IT field.
3.Two year degree from recognized university and 4 years of work experience in IT Field.
4.Six years experience in IT Field.

It is required to provide detailed education or employment documentation, with selected prerequisite option on the application. If chosen for verification, applicant must provide all the documents for the program.

Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST)
The Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) certification confirm a worldwide standard for the assessment of the potential and competencies of software testing professionals that are working at, or will work at, the software testing management level. Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) indicates a level of professional proficiency in both the principles and practices of software testing, signifying the skills and capabilities necessary to manage the software test function. CMST certification provides the IT professional with an intention for assessment of their management skills.

Prerequisites for CMST
Each applicant must have:
1.CSTE Certified
2.Must be working in Software Testing
3.Have the experience (described under the Real World Experience section) to demonstrate mastery of the skills identified in the current Software Testing
4.Be prepared to submit documentation that supports your real-world experience in the software testing field under the Real World situation
5. Prepared to take the required manager’s level examination

To earn CMST applicant must satisfy one of the four prerequisites:
a. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college-level institution and minimum of four years of experience in the software testing field, or
b. An associate degree and a minimum of six years of experience in the software testing field, or
c. Eight years of experience in the software testing field.

Microsoft's New Generation of Certifications

Microsoft introduced a new generation of IT Certifications to make certification path more straightforward and specialization focused. By focusing on fundamental technical or professional skills, an aspirant can choose certifications that meet his/her needs.

The new certification program introduces three series of certifications:

1). Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)

This series certify principal technology and product skills, for instance implementation skills. MCTS is reliably qualified of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a specific technology. MCTS exams are targeted to specific technology, so that an individual can prove his proficiency in specific area. MCTS is available in different domains of IT; Developer Applications (.Net), Database Administration (Microsoft SQL Server), Server technology (Windows Server, Exchange Server), Windows (Windows Vista, Windows XP), Microsoft Office and Security.

2) Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional (MCITP) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)

This series confirms job-role skills outside the main technology, such as, analyzing business problems amongst others. MCITP or MCPD are fully capable of deploying, building, designing and operating technologies for a particular job role.

3) Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)

This series certify the skills required to affect IT business successfully. MCA requires advanced and certifiable experience in IT (at least 10 years). MCA certification does not depend on traditional exams or curriculum. In fact, candidates have to prove their skills by creating architectures that solve complicated business problems.

Q. Why did Microsoft introduce the new certifications?

Ans. Microsoft is changing the certification program to better meet the needs of our customers. We heard from IT managers that the proliferation of credentials is making it more difficult to understand which credentials best meet the needs of their businesses. Individuals told us that they wanted to be able to distinguish themselves from other IT professionals. In response, we created a framework that keeps the number of credentials to a minimum while still allowing individuals to highlight specialization.

MCSE 2003: A very popular and in-demand Microsoft Certification

Microsoft Certified System Engineer 2003 (MCSE 2003) is a well-known Microsoft Certification for Windows Server 2003. It verifies an individual’s proficiency in designing and execution of business solutions based on Microsoft Windows Server 2003.

There are specializations available for MCSE’s along different career path. For Windows Server 2003 these were MCSE Security and Messaging.

MCSE Certification is appropriate for IT professionals who have worked in complex computing environments in medium-to-large environments. It is recommended that the candidate appearing for MCSE exam must have at least one year of experience in implementation and administration of network and client server operating system. The candidate must have a good knowledge on planning, designing and execution of Microsoft Windows server solutions.

To become an MCSE on Windows Server 2003, the aspirant must pass seven exams, which includes six core exams and one elective exam.

Core Exams;

Networking Systems (All)

1. 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment
2. 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
3. 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
4. 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure

Client Operating Exams (choose 1)

1. 70-620^A: Windows Vista, Configuring
2. 70-270 : Installing, Configuring and Administering Windows XP Professional

Design Exams (Choose 1)

1. 70-297: Designing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
2. 70-298: Designing Security for a Windows Server 2003 Network

Elective Exams (choose 1)

1. 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
2. 70-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

A - Exam 70-620 can count one time toward a core client exam or an elective exam, but not both.

The best way to exhibit your expertise on Windows Server 2003 and to encourage your team and yourself is by earning the Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) credentials. Although newer versions have come, yet Server 2003 is here to stay for a long time and hence the demand for MCSEs is going to stay!

Growing Popularity of elearning in India

elearning is gradually getting its due globally and especially here in India. Young working professionals are turning to elearning to gain access to courses in their spare time. This has become essential in today’s ever so competitive world!

There are plethora of websites conducting online courses and assessments. For example, the Indiatimes group has introduced the Mindscape test center where one can appear for mock IIT-JEE exams online for making self-assessment.

In fact, from this year onwards, the Common Admission Test (CAT) is going online. This will allow more students to be able to take the exam and enable faster processing. It will also help students to apply to colleges using CAT scores in a convenient manner. Top educational institutes like IIM’s, Symbiosis have started their MBA programs, which are based on e-learning in some form or the other. IIMs have tied up with NIIT to offer short duration programs in a synchronous fashion through NIIT Imperia. McGraw Hill Education, a primary educational publisher, recently launched its e-learning section, for IIT, CAT and AIEEE aspirants.

NIIT’s e-learning websites www.niit.com and Hyperlessons (for IT Certification) providing an upper hand to IT Professionals to survive in this recession period. Hyperlessons.com is an eLearning initiative by NIIT to provide convenient, personalized and affordable training courses and programs for Career Certifications to students and working professionals. NIIT’s e-learning initiative has 80,000 registered members and Thadani expects this to go up by at least 100 per cent by end of the year.

According to Vijay Thadani, CEO NIIT, “In the past six months, there has been a significant change in economic environment. Since organizations are looking to cut costs, they prefer to draft their training modules using e-learning, as it is cost-effective. This has resulted in a spurt of professionals logging on to education web sites to upgrade themselves.”