Related Terms • SCP • SCNP

Definition: As part of the vendor-neutral Security Certified Program (SCP) sponsored by Ascendent Learning, the SCNA is designed to test knowledge of both fundamental and high-level security topics.

To Obtain:

• It is recommended that you hold a Security+ certification from CompTIA.
• You must pass two exams:
  • Hardening the Infrastructure (HTI), exam SCO-411, covering:
    • Contingency Planning 5 %
      2.0 - Tools and Techniques 9 %
    • Security on the Internet and the WWW 11 %
    • Router Security and ACLs 15 %
    • TCP/IP Packet Structure and Security 25 %
    • Operating System Security 35 %
      
  • Network Defense and Countermeasures, exam SC0-402, covering:
    • Network Defense Fundamentals 5%
    • Security Policy Design and Implementation 10%
    • Network Traffic Signatures 10 %
    • VPN Concepts and Implementation 15%
    • IDS Concepts and Implementation 15%
    • Firewall Concepts and Implementation 30%
• Each exam costs $150
• You will be required to recertify every two years.

*The Network Security Fundamentals exam will retire May 31, 2003 at 5:00 PM
(CST). After that time the Hardening the Infrastructure (HTI) exam will replace the NSF exam. Before that time, both the NSF and HTI will be accepted as valid exams for SCNP program. Those who have passed only NSF will be supported up through their two-year renewal date. At that point, they will be required to renew with the HTI exam. The HTI exam will leave out the introductory and fundamentals to focus on more difficult topics.

Also Known As: Security Certified Network Architect

Related Resources:

The Merits of a Vendor Neutral Certification
Are vendor-neutral certifications worth your while? Find out why they have become so popular.

Security Certification Basics
Find out what security certifications are available, why you should get one, and take a look at a quick salary survey of security certified folks.

Test Tips
Find out what to expect from the SCP exams and what topics you should be focusing on. This is an excellent article from GoCertify that will help you prepare for the exams.

SecurityCertified.Net
Find out more about the SCNA from the sponsor.

ElementK Courseware
If you are interested in the SCP certifications, ElementK is currently the only provider of courseware.

MeasureUp
For less than $100 you get great practice tests for the SCNA certification exams. Free demos allow you to try before you buy.