While these are the topics being considered, nothing is locked in as of yet. If you would like to contribute the creation of the exam, or find out more information about its current status here. 

HP ExpertONE Certification Announced
On Oct. 20, HP unveiled its new HP ExpertONE certification, which will focus on IT convergence and IT infrastructure (including networking, storage, servers, software, printing and personal computing). Aimed at IT mangers, resellers and partners, the changes to their program include networking fast-track certification paths that enable professionals with existing industry certifications to focus on incremental new skills. According to the release, "HP offers new Open Standards Network Planning and Migration Services that can help businesses plan, validate and guide the migration from proprietary to open standards-based networks. With a complete family of HP consulting services, including multivendor networking expertise, clients can protect investments, reduce total cost of ownership and easily leverage best-in-class solutions."

HP is also extending its Converged Infrastructure certification program. The new HP Master ASE-Converged Infrastructure Architect training provides the advanced skills needed to architect and manage the most complex rollouts. It includes a board certification that includes an ROI component so to ensure that the architect fully comprehends the technology, as well as the business value of the solution.

HP is promoting ExpertONE as the first program that trains professionals in the design, deployment and operation of open, standards-based networks and Converged Infrastructure. The model includes mixed vendor environments "so companies can deploy the best technologies for their particular needs" with the idea then that businesses can focus more on innovating than they have in the past.

More information on the ExpertONE certification can be found here.

Microsoft Silverlight and Azure Exams In Beta
Two new Microsoft exams are currently or entering beta. The first, 71-506 (TS: Silverlight 4, Development) opened for beta on Oct. 14 and runs through Nov. 5. The promotion code for it is SL410 and objectives can be found here. It is expected to go live on Jan. 21. 

The second exam, 71-583 (PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Azure Applications) opens for beta on Oct. 28 and runs through Nov. 17. The promotion code is AZPRO and objectives for it can be found here. It is expected to go live on Feb. 15.  

Both beta exams are available through Prometric testing centers at no charge to those who sign up (providing there are seats still available). The betas are four hours in length and made available on a first-come-first-served basis until the seats are full.

CompTIA Security+ Objectives Posted
The objectives for the next iteration of the Security+ certification exam (SY0-301) from CompTIA are now available from their site. Most of the changes reflect updates in the technologies, but the following table illustrates a slight reshifting of the weighting within domains. Note that there is not a one-to-one matchup between the old and new domains, but in many cases, there is enough overlap to make comparisons: 

In the next posting, we will actually match up the new topics with the old and take a more complete look at how the exam versions match up.