If you’re looking for a new glowing certification in cloud computing/ cloud security that would really make a difference to your career – it’s coming! The new credential from (ISC)², the provider of the CISSP (one of the best paid IT certifications in the world) has just announced a new certification: The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)! The CCSP exam will be available this summer at PearsonVUE testing centers worldwide!

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): What We Know So Far

The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification was announced Tuesday at the RSA Conference in San Francisco by partners (ISC)² and Cloud Security Alliance. (ISC)², a leading industry group, is curator of the widely respected CISSP certification for career information security professionals. The credential would be a perfect fit for Enterprise Architects, Security Administrators, Systems Engineers, Security Architects, Security Consultants, Security Engineers, Security Managers, Systems Architects etc.

The perfect CCSP candidate would have at least 5 years of IT experience, at least 3 of which are in IT security, and at least one – in cloud computing. The new CCSP certification exam will cover the following domains:

• Architectural Concepts & Design Requirements
• Cloud Data Security
• Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security
• Cloud Application Security
• Operations
• Legal & Compliance

According to the recent press release the CCSP Exam will be 4 hours long and will consist of 125 multiple-choice queries. To pass, candidates need to achieve 70% of correct keys, or 700 out of 1000 points.

The CCSP training courses will also be launched this summer (June-July). At the moment, potential CCSP exam candidates can download the official exam outline from the (ISC)² website. It breaks down the 6 domains listed above, which might be useful for those looking to jump start their preparation.

Maintaining the CCSP

The CCSP credential will be valid for 3 years. During this time, all holders must pay Annual Maintenance Fees (AMFs) of US$100 per year, earn 90 CPEs, with a minimum of 30 each year. Associates of (ISC)² working toward the CCSP must pay US$35 AMFs and earn 15 CPEs each year.

As part of (ISC)²’s and CSA’s collaboration, CCSP and other (ISC)² credential holders can utilize CSA’s education and training, research projects, events, working groups and other programs to stay abreast of cloud security best practices while helping to satisfy their CPE requirements.

How does CCSP compare with CCSK?

Since there is a bunch of other cloud security certifications out there, many people wonder how they compare. It is especially interesting to see how the new CCSP compares with CCSK (CSA’s Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge).

As (ISC)² puts it on its official website, the CCSK examination tests across a broad foundation of cloud security knowledge. The CCSK body of knowledge includes 14 domains and covers some unique and critical areas of knowledge, such as Security as a Service, which are not covered in other credentials. CCSK also covers the CSA Cloud Controls Matrix, the industry standard security controls framework, which is a requirement for the CSA Security, Trust and Assurance Registry (STAR) program of cloud provider certification. CCSK provides an excellent indicator of baseline cloud security knowledge appropriate for almost any IT position. The knowledge reflected by the CCSK certification program helps employers ensure their teams are better equipped to cope with the increasingly pervasive cloud computing issues they now face.

The CCSP credential builds upon many of the areas covered by CCSK in order to provide deeper knowledge derived from hands-on information security and cloud computing experience. It validates practical know-how applicable to those professionals whose day-to-day responsibilities involve cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration. As an advanced professional credential, CCSP also reflects more than the knowledge needed to pass an exam. It includes: a) exam and testing meeting ANSI requirements; b) legal commitment to code of ethics; c) endorsement from appropriate certified professionals; and d) commitment to continuing professional education – all of which demonstrate that CCSPs are qualified and committed to tackling the cloud security challenges of today and tomorrow.

While there are other cloud-related certifications available, most are vendor-specific and relate to vendor technology and solutions. Those that include information security, do so nominally at a theoretical level. Both CCSP and CCSK are vendor-neutral and reflect overall industry best practices for securing cloud environments.

Are you excited about the new CCSP? Share the news with friends!

As you look into the certification layout, it’s easy to notice that VMware offers 2 similar certifications: VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA) and VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC). They are similar in a way that neither of them has any formal prerequisites, and candidates can get started with some very brief preparation.

So which one is the better option? The CMA (Cloud Management and Automation) seems broad enough to provide you with knowledge to be used in various environments, with different employers. The hybrid cloud, however, is the ultimate trend in cloud computing for 2015. This is essentially the cross between the public and private clouds, taking the best from both worlds. With what many describe as the failure of the private cloud, more and more companies turn to hybrid cloud as their long-term solution for cloud computing. So, from the point of applicability, either of the two credentials makes an excellent choice.

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA)

This certification, VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA), allows candidates to gain credibility as cloud computing professionals. After passing this certification, VCA6-CMA credential holders will be confident discussing cloud computing, the business challenges the vCloud Suite is designed to address, and how deploying VMware Cloud solutions can solve these challenges. Furthermore, these certification holders will be capable of defining cloud computing and applying Cloud Computing and VMware product features and components to help solve the Elasticity, Efficiency, Availability, and Management challenges of an on-premise cloud infrastructure.

To be eligible for the VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA) certification, candidates are recommended to take the VMware Cloud Fundamentals online course. This is a self-paced course which takes 3 hours. Interested candidates can register for it here.

Furthermore, candidates need to pass the exam associated with VCA6-CMA credential:

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation Fundamentals Exam: 1V0-603.

The 1V0-603 exam consists of 50 questions and is 75 minutes long. The questions are single and multiple choice, non-proctored. The passing score for this exam is 300, and the price is $120.

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC)

The second VMware Associate level certification for Cloud computing within the new VMware certification roadmap. The VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC) helps candidates gain credibility when discussing cloud services, the business challenges that vCloud Air and related technologies are designed to address, and how leveraging a secure, dedicated hybrid cloud platform can address those challenges.

Successful certification holders can easily define technical requirements for public, private and hybrid cloud platforms, describe and differentiate vCloud Air and related services and technologies and identify common use cases and how they can be addressed.

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud Fundamentals Exam has the code 1V0-602. Just like with the previous credential, the exam also contains 50 questions (single and multiple choice, non-proctored) which candidates have 75 minutes to complete. The passing score is 300, and the price is the same USD 120.

Overall, both certifications VMware Certified Associate 6 – Cloud Management and Automation (VCA6-CMA) and VMware Certified Associate 6 – Hybrid Cloud (VCA6-HC) are great Associate level credentials for IT professionals interested in starting their path in cloud computing with reputable certifications and excellent upgrade options. Both credentials allow for excellent professional growth and career potential, so candidates have a luxury of making their choice based on their professional interest and passion.

What do you think about Microsoft Press publications? While these resources can be useful, many candidates just do not want to pay for them. After all, why purchase a pricey book that is highly likely to be tucked away to a top shelf a few weeks later? And since certification exams are expensive enough as they are, we just don’t want to pay for official publications. But what if we told you that you can get Microsoft press books FOR FREE?

Get free Microsoft eBooks in PDF, ePub and Mobi formats directly from Microsoft Press here.

From technical overviews to drilldowns on special topics, free Microsoft Press ebooks cover the following areas:

• Windows Server
• Windows Azure
• Windows
• App Development
• Microsoft System Center
• Other subjects

These are our top choices:

Microsoft System Center: Network Virtualization and Cloud Computing
Mitch Tulloch with Nader Benmessaoud, CJ Williams, Uma Mahesh Mudigonda
March 2014
This brief book identifies some key usage and deployment scenarios for cloud computing to provide some deep technical background on the Microsoft SDN solution, enabling IT professionals to quickly learn the internals of HNV, how it works from end to end, and where and how it should be used.

Introducing Windows Azure for IT Professionals
Mitch Tulloch with the Windows Azure Team
October 2013
Get a high-level overview of Windows Azure—and get a running start with this flexible cloud platform. Designed for IT professionals, this guide introduces core features and functionality, with technical insights and advice from a Microsoft MVP and members of the Windows Azure team. Topics include Windows Azure solutions, Compute services, Network services, Data services, and App services

Introducing Microsoft System Center 2012 R2
Mitch Tulloch with Symon Perriman and the System Center team
January 2014
Get a high-level overview of System Center 2012 R2—and get a running start transforming your datacenter and cloud-optimizing your business. This guide introduces core features and functionality, with technical advice and under-the-hood insights from a Microsoft MVP and members of the System Center team at Microsoft.

Click here to explore free Microsoft eBooks, and be sure to test your newly acquired knowledge with the latest braindumps from our IT Certification Community.

This Professional Series certification covers standard methodology required to securely implement and maintain cloud technologies. It validates the knowledge and skills required of IT practitioners working in cloud computing environments, who must understand and deliver cloud infrastructure solutions. Recommended experience includes at least 24-36 months of work experience in IT networking, storage, or data center administration, as well as being familiar with any major hypervisor technologies for server virtualization.

“CompTIA Cloud+ was developed by the industry to address this shortage, providing IT professionals with a credential that validates their ability to efficiently and securely implement and maintain cloud technologies,” said Terry Erdle, executive vice president of skills certification at CompTIA, in a statement issued by CompTIA.

To get certified, candidates need to pass the CV0-001 exam. Consisting of 100 multiple choice questions, it covers the following domains:

• Cloud Concepts and Models
• Virtualization
• Infrastructure
• Resource Management
• Security
• Systems Management
• Business Continuity in the Cloud

We are looking forward to the thoughts and experiences of the first Cloud+ certification holders.

The news could cause some confusion with another Microsoft’s certification of the same acronym: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. In fact, it had been one of Microsoft’s most popular certifications for quite a while, and has been recently retired.

So, is the new one its exact replacement? Not really, as the old and new MCSEs aren’t to be confused. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly has changed.

The new Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE) certification focuses on the ability to design and build technology solutions, which may include integrating multiple technology products and span multiple versions of a single technology, whether on-premises or in the cloud. The 8 certifications available in its framework have all been designed with this goal in mind. The previous Microsoft Certified System Engineer certifications focused on a much more specific job role.

Created as the flagship of the new certification framework, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert offers a set of interdisciplinary certifications, united by the company’s focus on cloud computing, business intelligence and advanced database administration.

There are 8 certifications available now, all of them consist of 5 steps, and therefore, require 5 exams. For all programs, recertification is required every 3 years (and we get the feeling that these MCSEs will be around for quite a while, so you may want to keep this information in mind).

With many candidates now asking ‘Which MCSE should I get??’ you certainly know that you are the only one who can answer this question for yourself, depending on the interests, skills and career goals you have. Yet, let’s take a look at the new MCSEs to get a better picture. Here they are.

MCSE: Server Infrastructure

Your next career step: computer support specialist and information security analyst.

This certification validates that you have the skills needed to run a highly efficient and modern data center, with expertise in identity management, systems management, virtualization, storage, and networking.

MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure

Your next career step: desktop and device support, and data and applications manager.

This MCSE will prove your skills in deploying and managing desktops and devices that provide access from anywhere, while maintaining security and compliance. It also validates your skills in desktop virtualization, remote desktop services, and application virtualization.

MCSE: Private Cloud

Your next career step: server administrator, systems programmer, network manager.

This certification validates your expertise in managing and implementing Microsoft private cloud computing technologies. With Windows Server and System Center, you will build your Microsoft private cloud solution to optimize IT service delivery and gain the automation and flexibility you need for your IT infrastructure, now and in the future.

MCSE: Data Platform

Your next career step: database analyst, database designer.

MCSE Data Platform certification puts you in a position to demonstrate your broad skill sets in building and administrating enterprise-scale data solutions both on-premises and in cloud environments.

MCSE: Business Intelligence

Your next career step: BI & reporting engineer.

With this one, you will prove your skills and the knowledge of techniques needed to design, build, and deploy solutions that deliver more data to more people across the organization.

MCSE: Messaging

Your next career step: network and computer systems administration.

Your MCSE: Messaging will demonstrate that you can move your company to the cloud, increase user productivity and flexibility, reduce data loss, and improve data security for your organization.

MCSE: Communication

Your next career step: network and computer systems administration.

This MCSE validates expertise in creating a consistent communications experience for your organization and connecting your colleagues to people around the world.

MCSE: SharePoint

Your next career step: systems or network analyst.

MCSE SharePoint ensures you get recognition for your expertise in helping a company organize, sync, collaborate, and share information across the organization.

Even if you are undecided as to which MCSE is right for you, you can still start working on your exams. As you have probably heard, they are tough and do take time for preparation. Yet, the good news is that 6 out of 8 MCSEs share the same 3 exams. So, unless you are considering MCSE: Data Platform or Business Intelligence, you can start studying for exams 70-410, 70-411 and 70-412. These 3 focus on the server infrastructure and Windows Server 2012, the knowledge of which is a must for a number of jobs.

Explore the MCSE section of the Microsoft website to make up your mind. Last but not least, Microsoft has a sweet offer for those of us who aren’t that lucky with the Certification exam the first time around. Until the end of May 2014, you get a free second chance to succeed on your exams. Looks like there’s no better time than now to become a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert. Visit this page for details.