6/15/2011 -- The newest version of the Security+ exam from CompTIA (SY0-301) is now live, while those wishing to take the older version can still do so until Dec. 31. The exam is ISO 17024 accredited and must thus be updated every three years. In its Eighth Annual Global Information Security Trends study published in November 2010, CompTIA found "that security is an upper level IT priority for more organizations -- 49 percent in 2010, up from 35 percent in 2008, and projected to reach 58 percent in 2012."

It further states that "federal government security requirements such as U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570.01-M identifies CompTIA Security+ as one of the required certification options for department employees and contractors engaged in information security work."

The exam consists of 100 questions that must be answered in 90 minutes (passing score is 750 on a 100-900 scale). More information on the new Security+ exam can be found here.

On a related note, the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification exam is scheduled to go live in the fall. Aimed at those with considerably more hands-on experience than Security+, this exam is rumored to have drag-and-drop, build-a-list, scenario and simulation questions.

Microsoft Exams: New and Old
While Microsoft has added a few new certification exams over the past few months, a large number of the older ones are scheduled for retirement on June 30. Among the plethora of entries, the following table lists some of the most notable exams and their statuses:

Certification Exam Tip #8: Save Your Breath
Almost every certification exam gives you the opportunity to comment -- it is a feature built into most testing engines and the only real choice the vendor has is whether it wants to use it and when (during the entire duration of the exam or only after you have finished the questions). While you may think it comforting that your input is being solicited, the truth of the matter is that it can serve as a distraction from your primary purpose.

Your purpose is to obtain a passing score and walk out of the testing center ready to celebrate at Dave & Buster's. Your purpose is not to pay for the privilege of being an editor or trying to impress someone with a piece of arcane knowledge that could change the answer in one very unlikely situation. In almost 20 years of testing, I have never heard from any candidate who had their score changed on an IT certification exam because they spent 500 words commenting on why there is another tool they would use to solve a problem outside of the choices presented to them by this harebrained question.

What is the harm?

The harm is that if you focus on sharing your thoughts, you'll be spending mental energy that should be focused on paying attention to finding the right answer among the choices before you. If you comment during the exam, you'll be using up valuable test time doing so. If you comment only after making it through all the questions, part of your brain will be holding the thoughts that you want to fume and seethe about so you won't forget them -- distracting you from the subsequent questions.

The best solution is to forget that you can comment at all. Chalk it up as a stupid question and let it go at that. Save your energy -- and your breath -- for what truly matters.