10/28/2009 -- With Windows 7 now released, there are six certification exams for it in progress. The following table lists the exam numbers and titles and notes whether each exam falls under the Specialist or Professional series:  

As of this writing, none of these exams are live, but those marked with an asterisk are expected to be released between now and the end of the year.

More information on these exams -- and on Windows 7 training options -- can be found here.

2006 A+ Exams Still Available
After I wrote two weeks ago about the A+ exams and some of the resources available for exam preparation, several readers wrote in to point out that the 2006 versions of the exams are still available.

Indeed, CompTIA is currently allowing candidates to choose whether they want to take the 2006 or 2009 versions of the exams, and won't retire the older exams until Aug. 31, 2010.

Good news for those currently in classes or using older study materials.

Books of the Week: '24 Deadly Sins of Software Security'
One of the best security books I've read in a long time is 24 Deadly Sins of Software Security by Michael Howard, David LeBlanc and John Viega. Actually, far more relevant to my interests than the title was the subtitle (and what I would've used as the actual title): "Programming Flaws and How to Fix Them."

What makes this book stand out is the approach it takes. It first explains the design or coding error in very easy-to-follow language, and then walks through how to correct it. By focusing on the generic error, the book becomes almost platform-independent; you're bound to find some information relevant to your situation regardless of which operating system or programming language you're using.

The 24 sins run the gamut from SQL injection to integer overflows to incorrect cryptography use. This book was originally written four years ago as 19 Deadly Sins, and I'm pleased to see that only five new ones have cropped up in the interim.

I was also pleased to see that the authors didn't just add the five new ones, but instead rewrote much of the material to create one impressive book that you'll be glad to have read -- and may even keep you awake at night with worry until you thoroughly check your systems.