Linux Institute Launches Security Certification Exam

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) has announced the latest Security exam for its enterprise-level LPIC-3 certification for Linux professionals. The program is effective as of March 1.

As many large IT shops gravitate toward open source strategies and want solid security for those products, they, too, are putting more value on Linux certifications.

"Security certifications are valuable commodities for employers, who are demanding qualified information security staff, particularly those with a strong background at the enterprise-level of Linux deployment," said Jim Lacey, president and CEO of LPI.

Lacey added that noted industry representatives and IT professionals have frequently indicated to him the need for an enterprise-level Security elective within the LPIC-3 program.

The LPIC-3 certification program is made up of a single "Core" exam, called the LPI 301, which puts to the test a candidate's abilities in authentication, troubleshooting, network integration, and capacity planning. The Core certification can be supplemented by existing specialty electives in "Mixed Environments" (LPI-302) and "Security" (LPI-303).

Explaining how the LPI-303 exam was developed, LPI officials said research involved a worldwide Job Task Analysis survey, which was conducted among IT pros, and about 100 beta exams that were offered at various events.

They added that the beta exams were taken by IT professionals for the purpose of establishing the "psychometric data" needed to make sure exam questions were relevant.

More specialty electives are being planned including those in "High Availability and Virtualization," "Web and Intranet," and "Mail and Messaging."

The LPI announced the first several individuals classified as eligible beta participants who have passed the LPI-303 Security exam. One of those is Ferry Kouijzer from the Netherlands.

"As a Linux professional, it has always been important to me to see the advancement of my profession, and so I was pleased to participate in LPI's exam development process," Kouijzer said.

InformationWeek has published an independent analysis of Linux in the modern enterprise. Download the report here (registration required).