Security Specialists (Security+, SSCP, CISSP) Needed

If you're seeking a security certification such as the Security+, SSCP, CISSP, or even one of the Microsoft certifications, you'll be glad to hear that your expertise is needed. If you're seeking one of these certifications, check out this page for some study resources.

The GBS Group is Hiring

Brian Trees at The GBS Group reached out to me last week looking for someone to help him fill a full or part time position in Philadelphia.

The position requires someone with a Security+ certification, and also an MCITP: SA certification.

Here's a great benefit. The job requires a security clearance and the company is willing to help the right person get it.

Even if I was looking for different work, the commute to Philadelphia from Virginia Beach is little too far. However, this might be a perfect opportunity for someone else.

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. " - Seneca

Hakin9 Looking for an Author

The folks at Software Media LLC that publish Hakin9 are looking for someone to write an article on the CISSP certification for an upcoming magazine.

Przemyslaw Pretkiewicz (przemyslaw.pretkiewicz@_no_spam_software.com.pl) asked me if I could take it on but my schedule is too full right now. If you're interested, you can contact him directly. Just remove _no_spam_ from the email address.

CISSP Rapid Review

I'm making steady progress on the CISSP Rapid Review book. This book provides you with late-stage checks and reviews to see if you're ready for the exam. You can start with a full study guide like the CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Study Guide to master the concepts and then when you're close, use theCISSP Rapid Review book to review your readiness.

Security+ Study Guide

The CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide continues to help people take and pass the Security+ certification the first time they take it. Jarrett Marquis wrote a review on Amazon (identified as useful by 35 Amazon readers) saying it is "All You Need to Pass". He wrote "The plan is pretty simple, buy this book, read it, do the practice questions, pass the test."

Summary

Even if you don't see an immediate job opportunity related to the certifications you're seeking, they often show up. Security certification like the Security+, SSCP, and CISSP, are in high demand and all indications are that the demand will continue to increase.

Windows 8 and Windows 2012

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 will be released soon. Specifically, Windows Server 2012 will be released on September 4th (today), and Windows 8 will be released on September 17th. However, you can download free trial copies now.

Free Trial Editions of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012

You can download a free trial for Windows 8 in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions from here.

You can download a free trial for Windows Server 2012 and access some virtual labs from here.

Both of the trial editions have limitations but are very useful if you install them in a virtual environment. If you're looking for a way to do so, check out this post which shows how to download and install VirtualBox and create VMs. You can also use VMWare which I'm currently using.

There's a lot of hype about Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 and Microsoft certainly hopes they are wildly successful. Some of this is still a little confusing as many people are trying to figure out what to call the interface previously known as Metro. At the same time, many software developers are aggressively developing tools to bypass the start screen for the interface previously known as Metro

Coming Exams

The first exam for Windows 8 is 70-687 Configuring Windows 8 (comparable to the 70-680 exam for Windows 7) and it will be available. There aren't currently any materials for this book, but they'll be coming out in the next few months or so.

One of the challenges publishers seem to be having is that the messages aren't clear from Microsoft. As an example, the 70-687 web page says that this exam gives you credit toward the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Windows 8. What isn't clear is if this is one of multiple exams that gives you credit for the MCSA, or if you'll get the cert as soon as you pass the 70-687 exam. The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) page lists several of the new MCSA certifications but it does not include Windows 8.

There are also several exams coming out for Windows Server 2012. To earn the MCSA on Windows Server 2012, you need to pass the following three exams.

• 70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
• 70-411 Administering Windows Server 2012
• 70-412 Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

To earn the MCSE on Windows Server 2012, you need to pass these two additional exams.

• 70-415 Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure
• 70-416 Implementing Desktop Application Environments.

Summary

Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 are almost upon us. You don't have to make these your primary operating systems right now, but if you want to get ahead of the game (or at least keep up), it's a good idea to download the trial editions and play around with them in a virtual environment.