4/24/2002 -- Symantec will be offering a free beta version of its upcoming Firewall 7.0 Certification Exam beginning April 30.

According to program managers, the beta will feature 277 questions and focus on 12 major topic areas:

• Security Concepts, Procedures and Issues
• Firewall Architecture and Installation
• Base Components and Rules
• Custom Protocols and GSPs
• Authentication
• Service Redirects and Address Transforms
• VPNs
• DNS
• Remote Console Management
• Symantec Gateway Security Appliance
• Firewall Management
• Advanced Firewall Management Topics

The beta will be available at Prometric Testing Centers worldwide through May 20. Candidates must register for the beta (exam 251-015) via phone.

Those who pass will receive credit toward the company's Symantec Product Specialist in Firewall and the Symantec Certified Security Engineer (SCSE) in Firewall & VPN Technologies certifications.

For more information about Symantec's certification program, click here. - B.N.