Best shortest path to MCSA/E security?

Thinking about knocking this one out...

I have the sec+ already and I am pretty sure that can be used as an elective.

So,

I don't really care if I get the MCSA or E, but I would like to have one or the other on my resume.

So what is the best quickest path. Provided I am doing my homework and putting in the required time.

MIND YOU I AM NOT LOOKING FOR AN EASY WAY OUT. I will take the amount of time needed to get this done.

But I would think with dilligence I could have the lesser of the two on my resume by late this year or early next year.

I know the newer Microsoft tests are a lot harder than the old ones, but I did 6 MCPs (NT) in less than a year. Granted that was 7 years ago. But now I have MUCH more knowledge and experience under my belt.

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dynamik

Have you looked at the MCSA:S requirements? It's pretty straight-forward: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/security/windowsserver2003.mspx

You need two core exams, a client, and two security electives, which you Security+ will count towards.

290, 291, 210/270/620, and a security elective (299 is probably the most common).

You would need to add 293, 294, and 298 to get the MCSE:S.

liven

I guess I am not sure which elective to take....

I will have to do some research.

thanks

dynamik

It's either Windows Server 2003 or ISA 2000, 2004, or 2006. Unless you have a need to go for the older software, your two options are basically Windows Server (299) or ISA 2006 (351).

HeroPsycho

I'd do the ISA 2006 Exam, since I think that would benefit your career to say you're an MCSA/E: Security + you know ISA 2006 than just having the security specialization.

liven

HeroPsycho wrote:

I'd do the ISA 2006 Exam, since I think that would benefit your career to say you're an MCSA/E: Security + you know ISA 2006 than just having the security specialization.

Your talking about this exam:
Exam 70-350

?????

HeroPsycho

Exam 70-351...

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-351.mspx

liven

Do these tests have to be taken in order?

I ask because I like to try to get the hardest ones out of the way first.

dynamik

No, and 291 will likely be the most difficult for you.

Slowhand

If you've got Security+ already, then you don't need another elective for MCSA or MCSE. I'd recommend taking 70-298 instead of 70-297, once you're at the point of taking a design exam, as 70-298 serves as a design exam for the regular MCSE, the MCSE: Security, and MCSE: Messaging certifications. Not that 70-297 is bad, but since you were looking for the shortest path, that's what I recommend.

dynamik

Slowhand wrote:

If you've got Security+ already, then you don't need another elective for MCSA or MCSE. I'd recommend taking 70-298 instead of 70-297, once you're at the point of taking a design exam, as 70-298 serves as a design exam for the regular MCSE, the MCSE: Security, and MCSE: Messaging certifications. Not that 70-297 is bad, but since you were looking for the shortest path, that's what I recommend.

He's asking specifically for the security specialization. He does need another elective if he wants to go for that. Also, 70-298 cannot be used for the MCSA: Security, and it is a requirement for the MCSE: Security. It's the "regular" MCSE can use either 70-297 or 70-298.

Slowhand

dynamik wrote:

Slowhand wrote:

If you've got Security+ already, then you don't need another elective for MCSA or MCSE. I'd recommend taking 70-298 instead of 70-297, once you're at the point of taking a design exam, as 70-298 serves as a design exam for the regular MCSE, the MCSE: Security, and MCSE: Messaging certifications. Not that 70-297 is bad, but since you were looking for the shortest path, that's what I recommend.

He's asking specifically for the security specialization. He does need another elective if he wants to go for that. Also, 70-298 cannot be used for the MCSA: Security, and it is a requirement for the MCSE: Security. It's the "regular" MCSE can use either 70-297 or 70-298.

Ah, I didn't read the topic closely enough.

Still, my advice stands: stay away from 70-297, you've already got your elective for MCSA/MCSE: Security in Security+. You need to do one more elective exam - in addition to 70-290, 70-291, and your client OS exam - to get your MCSA: Security. The suggestions up to this point have been good, and I'd recommend checking out 70-299 as well. If you use a security-related exam as your general elective for MCSA: Security, (in this case, using Security+ as your security elective and something like 70-299 or 70-351 as your general elective,) then you'll only need to take 70-293, 70-294, and 70-298 to move up from MCSA: Security to MCSE: Security. And if you haven't already taken 70-270 or 70-210, I'd recommend going for the Vista exam (70-620) instead, because it tracks to both MCSA/MCSE as well as MCITP: Server/Enterprise Administrator.

techster79

Agreed.

famosbrown

Agreed as well. I would take 70-299 as the security elective. You will find some overlap of concepts from other exams you have studied for during your MCSA/E journey.

jetfan

i am glad i stumbled on this thread because i have the same question. I currently have passed the 270/271/272/261. I still have to take 290/291, my question is do i have to take 1 or 2 security electives for the MCSA:S track? If this has been answered can someone point me in the right direction. Thanks all

dynamik

Yea, you'll need two security electives: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsa/security/windowsserver2003.mspx

jetfan

Ok Dynamik, thanks for the info, wasn't too sure on what was required.