Two Microsoft certification specializations identify IT professionals who demonstrate deep, role-based security skills on the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform. These specializations provide a way for individuals to highlight their focus on security in the enterprise and demonstrate their ability to create a secure computing environment.

The specializations are the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA): Security on Microsoft Windows 2000 and the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): Security on Microsoft Windows 2000.

Based on the MCSA and MCSE credentials, each certification measures a depth and breadth of security skills across the Microsoft platform. Exams include scenarios and case studies that are based on real-world business challenges, allowing you to validate your ability to create a secure computing environment.

The MCSA: Security on Microsoft Windows 2000 certification identifies systems administrators who specialize in managing, maintaining, and implementing security on the Microsoft platform and as part of a secure computing environment. Certification candidates are systems administrators who typically have at least one year of experience in a security-focused job role.

The MCSA: Security certification covers skills associated with implementing, managing, and maintaining security in a network infrastructure, while the MCSE: Security certification covers skills associated with the entire cycle, including designing, planning, and implementing security.

IT professionals pursuing MCSA: Security or MCSE: Security certification must demonstrate core security skills appropriate to their job role. For both MCSA: Security and MCSE: Security candidates, this includes implementing security on the Windows 2000 platform. MCSE: Security candidates must also demonstrate core security design skills. Candidates for each specialization must show proficiency with Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition, or else demonstrate security skills beyond the Microsoft platform by achieving CompTIA Security+ certification, which is an industry-recognized standard of competency for foundation-level security practitioners.