What is the best path for the MCSA+Sec | MCSE+Sec

[ov3rdr1ve]

I am looking to get my MCSA+Sec and Eventually MCSE+Sec

I was wondering what you all thought was the best path.

I hear a lot of people saying that Security+, Network+, and A+ can be used as prerequisites for your electives... is this true? If so, I think it would be better for me to get the Sec+ and Net+ and use those as my electives because it provides me with 2 more certifications?? (thoughts)

Also, pertaining to the actual tests... is there any guidance you could give me as to the order you would prefer to take the tests, which tests you would recommend taking (other than the cores)?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chance~

 

[SimonDavies]

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/security/windowsserver2003.asp

will give you the information you need.

 

[Wishdiak]

ov3rdr1ve,

A+ and Network+ are good certifications to have, in general. The Security+ will fullfil the elective requirement for MCSA and MCSE by itself (and counts as another certification by itself).

The only downsides that occur to me are 1) Security+ is more expensive than a Microsoft exam to cover the elective requirement, and 2) It takes several weeks to get CompTIA and Microsoft to communicate enough to get the Security+ on your MCP transcript.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com

 

[ov3rdr1ve]

Wishdiak...

Thanks for the information. I forgot about the CompTIA/MS communications fault that could possibly occur there as well as I wa not aware that the CompTIA was more expensive.

Thanks for the information on that, it helps tremendously in making my decision.

Thanks!!

 

[Wishdiak]

ov3rdr1ve,

Basically, if MCSE 2003: Security is your ultimate goal, your exams map out:

70-210 or 70-270 for the Client OS portion.

70-290,
70-291,
70-293,
70-294 for the MCSE core exams,

70-298,
70-299 for the Security specialization,
and
70-227 or Security+ for your elective.

MCSA 2003: Security is a subset of these, containing all of the above except 70-293, 70-294, and 70-298. You'll still need to choose between 70-227 and Security+ for the MCSA 2003: Security.

The advantages of taking Security+ as your elective: Far easier than any Microsoft exam that I've taken, and counts as another cert in its own right.

The disadvantages of taking Security+ as your elective: $237 (unless your company is a CompTIA member), compared with $125 for the 70-227 exam, and it can take a month for CompTIA and Microsoft to communicate about this after you've asked them to do so.

Still, I'd recommend the Security+ as your elective for MCSE 2003: Security. Despite the disadvantages, it's easier and stands on its own.

Wishdiak
A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA: Security 2003

http://www.wishdiak.com