Microsoft Press Training Materials: Everything You Need to Pass Your Exam

Microsoft Press, the publishing arm of Microsoft, is the leading source of current information on Microsoft product and related technologies. Written by world-class authors and subject matter experts, there is a resource for every stage of learning—from beginner to expert—across the range of Microsoft technologies. With the flexibility for self-instructed learning, classroom experiences, and advanced professional applications, Microsoft titles allow the learner to construct their own program and learn at their own pace with the peace of mind that comes with Microsoft quality.

Lucky for you, we have compiled the Microsoft Press training materials you need to prepare for your next exam. Check out these titles to help you get started:

Exam Ref 70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 R2 (MCSA)

Prepare for Microsoft Exam 70-410 - and help demonstrate your real-world mastery of implementing and configuring core services in Windows Server 2012 R2.

MCSA 70-410 Cert Guide R2: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012

MCSA 70-410 Cert Guide: Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 R2 is a best-of-breed exam study guide. Best-selling authors and expert instructors Don Poulton and David Camardella share preparation hints and test-taking tips, helping you identify areas of weakness and improve both your conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills. The material is presented in a concise manner, focusing on increasing your understanding and retention of exam topics.

What are the Best IT Certifications for Advancing Your Career?

For the time, money and effort spent studying, taking tests, and maintaining certification status, one of the biggest considerations is “will it help?” Of course there is no definitive answer or process that guarantees results, but here are some factors to consider when determining which is the best IT certification for you. 

Not all certifications are created equally. The harder the certification is to earn, the more valuable it is. Consider the rigor—what is required of you to qualify as a candidate to earn the cert and what it takes to pass the exam. If it’s easy to get or everyone seems to have it, it’s likely less valuable, although it may be a requirement for more an advanced certification.

Which certifications are in demand? Whether you are looking to advance in your field or switch specialties, take a look around and see what employers demand. By “looking around, I mean that there are specific places you should haunt:

• Job listings
• LinkedIn company and industry groups
• Professional societies

You want to know what they require. Compare it against what you have and figure a path to get where you want to be. If you are seeing a request for a particular certification repeatedly, chances are that earning that certification is a safe bet for career advancement.

Start where you are—certifications that matter for your current career—and advance from there. As I mentioned, low-level certifications can be valuable—especially if they feed into the advanced certifications you’re eyeing. The value increases if they apply directly to your job description and they demonstrate your interest and willingness to continue your professional education. They are the foundation on which you build your career.

Certification may help you get a better job as long as you make your selections carefully. The bottom line is that the certifications you will start with are highly dependent on your career interests and the path you select to achieve your goal. There are financial and time commitment factors to consider. If you are happy with your company, talk to your manager to see if continuing education is part of your benefits package. It may be that your employer decides that it’s in their interest to pay for training to build or expand your skills. If you are looking for a change, training and certification become an out-of-pocket expense. Make sure that you invest wisely and are meeting job market demands so that you can convert the certification investment into a job opportunity.   

If you are new to the field, keep in mind that the plum jobs take a lot of time, effort and experience to work up to. Make a plan and keep one eye on the prize. Keep the other fixed squarely on the market, because saying that IT develops and changes “rapidly” is an understatement. The low-level certs you start out with will eventually take you to an exciting career, but that will take time. Don’t shy away from them—they can act as a differentiator, a steppingstone to greater things, and have the power to demonstrate your commitment to ongoing education and the field.

How the CompTIA Security+ Study Guide Can Help You Crush Your Exam

Mike Meyers' CompTIA Security+ Certification Passport has been revised for CompTIA Security+ exam SY0-401 and edited by leading CompTIA certification expert Mike Meyers. It is the definitive CompTIA Security+ study guide and available now for your review.

The content is tightly focused on what you need to know to pass the CompTIA Security+ exam. It is packed with over 30 checkpoints, in addition to expert advice on critical topics, additional resources for further information on a given topic, and exam tips designed to point out common pitfalls and their solutions. Topics range from access control and authentication to securing networks and vulnerability assessments, providing a comprehensive review of computer security.

The electronic format, complete with a list of exam objectives, the approximate amount of time it takes to cover each lesson objective and 200 exam questions, the CompTIA Security+ Certification Passport proves to be an excellent tool for scheduling study time on the fly.

How IT Industries Trends in 2015 Can Help You Grow In Your Career

Now that the annual salary surveys are out and have been digested, it seems that IT industry trends in 2015 point to a year fully of opportunity for pros with mobile, security, big data and cloud experience and skills. As the business leaders drive strategic decisions to invest in these areas, it’s up to the staff to acquire—through training, certification or new hires—the necessary tools and talent to execute the company’s vision.

So if you’re sitting in your cube, drinking your coffee and contemplating change—be it a promotion or new position with your current employer or a new employer—keep in mind that you need to have the skills the market demands. And increasingly, the market is demanding proof of what you know and can do beyond your resume and cover letter. So, the question is ‘what is the best investment in my future’?

The decision to take on training and certification seems binary. However, when you look at the factors: time, money and maintenance, the decision gets a lot harder. Here are a few simple questions that will help you determine the right path for you:

1. Does your current job require training or certification on a specific tool or technology? Will this training and certification help you advance your career?
2. Have your interests switched and you find yourself wanting to work in a new specialty?
3. Are you looking for ways to make your resume stand out?

‘Yes’ responses indicate that an investment in training and certification warrants further investigation:

• Check to see what your employer will pay for when it comes to training and continuing education.
• Look at job boards to see what companies require for your target job—even if you aren’t looking to switch employers. The industry insight will make for a better-informed decision.
• Do you have the qualifications to skip the lower-level certifications? Keep in mind that if you’re switching specialties, the lead-in cert may be necessary.
• What learning solution is best for you? Are you more comfortable in a classroom or does your schedule demand online or self-directed study? Technological advances mean that now the classroom can come to you.

At the end of the day, employers need talent with the right skills and a high degree of training and competence. The maintenance, administration, and advancement of their infrastructure, user-support, networking capabilities, data, and data security—among other factors—depends on it.

Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Training: Prepare to Pass Your Certification Exam

Microsoft now certifies the Microsoft Official Practice Test powered by MeasureUp. This partnership between Microsoft and Pearson VUE will provide MCPs and candidates with a full solution for their Windows Server 2012 training.

Microsoft Official Practice Tests, including our most popular Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 practice test for exam 70-410, are designed to help you diagnose your areas of weakness so that you can reinforce learning gaps before you sit for the exam. 

The 70-410 practice test contains 159 questions and covers the following objectives:

• Install and Configure Servers - 29 questions
• Configure Server Roles and Features - 27 questions
• Configure Hyper-V - 26 questions
• Deploy and Configure Core Network Services - 24 questions
• Install and Administer Active Directory - 28 questions
• Create and Manage Group Policy - 25 questions 

Every Microsoft Official Practice Test provides feedback on all answers—correct and incorrect—with detailed explanations and references to the source of the answer to reinforce the material and help facilitate learning. Additionally, the practice tests are written by industry experts and are mapped to the exam objectives on the Microsoft exam preparation guide, so you know that you’re studying material that will come into play on your exam.

The inclusion of multiple question types and real-world scenarios creates a dynamic experience that will help acclimate you to what you can expect on exam day. This method also discourages rote memorization as a means of learning in favor of application of knowledge and concepts to resolve scenarios that you are likely to experience on-the-job. And, at the end of the day, what you need is to be prepared not only for the exam, but for the job.

Pearson VUE is Now a Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider!

Recently, Pearson VUE announced that Microsoft appointed them as the worldwide Microsoft Certified Practice Test Provider. This is a good thing in that it takes the guesswork out of which product to buy—your best bet is probably the one the vendor recommends, especially since it’s a third-party product.

Here are the details: MeasureUp, the industry leader in practice test design and development, is the engine behind Microsoft Official Practice Tests. What’s more, as of January 2015, MeasureUp has a completely new and reinvented platform that is more robust and easier to use. You’ll still have all the features that you have come to expect form MeasureUp practice tests like simulations, comprehensive explanations, reporting—all the tools and features you need for identifying areas of weakness and comprehensive exam prep. Plus, users will now enjoy the ease of studying on their desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone.

So what we have are highly valued certifications matched with a fantastic preparation tool that has been “certified” by Microsoft. This is a win-win scenario for any Microsoft candidate looking to prepare for exam day.

Cisco CCNA Security Course + Video Tutorial: Everything You Need to Know

The Cisco CCNA Security video course contains everything you need to prepare for the CCNA Security exam. The video segments map to exam topics covering:

• Security and Cisco routers
• AAA on Cisco devices with an in-depth look at TACACS and RADIUS
• Access Control Lists
• Secure network management
• Common layer 2 attacks
• Cisco firewall technologies
• Cisco IPS
• VPN technologies

The videos provide in-depth topic coverage, focusing on real-world scenarios and include demonstrations that reinforce learning objectives. In addition to a thorough grounding in basic network security principles and other topics, you will learn:

• What AAA is and review its design considerations
• How ACLs mitigate network threats
• What is the management plane and which practices can be applied to enhance security
• Protection against common layer two attacks
• Different firewall technologies and their strengths and weaknesses

The Cisco CCNA Security course course allows you to self-pace your learning, accommodating your busy schedule and allowing you to spend more time on your areas of weakness. The demonstrations provide critical exhibits of workplace applicability, bringing the theory to life and deepening your understanding of not just “what”, but “why” and “how”. Whether used as a primary educational source for self-instructed learning or as a study aide for instructor-led training, the Cisco CCNA Security video course is an important tool in your training arsenal.