RSA SecurID Access Professional Exam Guide

[MeganHenderson]

Introduction
The RSA SecurID Access Professional examination is based on the critical job functions that an individual would typically be expected to perform with competence when providing RSA SecurID Access deployment services.

An RSA SecurID Access Professional is typically a person who works in a senior-level capacity in a technical support, technical sales, professional services and/or other technical implementation role within RSA, within an RSA Partner organization, or within an organization using RSA SecurID Access.

The major job functions expected of an RSA SecurID Access Professional typically consist of four major areas of job role responsibility:

• An in-depth knowledge about RSA SecurID Access technology and product line
• Ability to plan, design, and implement an RSA SecurID Access solution
• Aptitude and proficiency with managing RSA SecurID Access deployments and configurations
• Ability to support RSA SecurID Access deployments through troubleshooting problems and providing knowledge transfer of operations and other guidance to system administrators and operators

The RSA SecurID Access Associate examination contains questions on all areas of the RSA SecurID Access product line, including RSA Authentication Manager, RSA SecurID authenticators, RSA SecurID SSO Agent, and RSA SecurID Access Cloud Authentication Service. An exam candidate should be familiar with all of these components.

Candidate Background and Experience

An RSA SecurID Access Professional candidate should have a minimum of two years of professional experience in one or more of the following technical areas and understand how these technologies relate to and integrate with the RSA SecurID Access product. Elements of the RSA SecurID Access Professional exam touch upon each of these areas:

• Internet and Networking technologies
  - DNS, TCP
• Operating systems and user administration
  - UNIX or Linux, Windows and Active Directory, LDAP Directory Servers
•  Web and Application Servers and Browsers
•  Cloud computing technology
  - Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers
  - SAML and related protocols
•  Network and internet security fundamentals
  - Multi-factor authentication
  - SSL and related protocols

Examination Domains

The RSA SecurID Access Professional examination is comprised of four major Domains (subject areas). Each Domain is represented by a series of questions designed to evaluate competence and knowledge of the elements relating to that domain. The following table describes the proportion of the examination that relates to each domain:

Domain	% of Examination
1.0: RSA SecurID Access General Product Knowledge	30 %
2.0: Design and Implement a solution	20 %
3.0: Installation and Configuration	30%
4.0: Troubleshooting	20%
Total:	100%

Domain 1.0: RSA SecurID Access Product Knowledge
The RSA SecurID Access Professional must have a comprehensive knowledge of the RSA SecurID Access product, component architecture, and capabilities of various authentication methods. The RSA SecurID Access Professional is expected to be able to work with system administrators and other IT personnel, educate them in the use and operation of an RSA SecurID Access implementation, and have a working knowledge of how various components (Agents, Servers, Cloud components, and other ancillary devices) work together to provide protection to a security perimeter and critical resources.

Content Areas

• RSA SecurID Access Architecture
  - System components, their function, and connections
• RSA SecurID Access User Authentication
  - Supported multi-factor authentication methods
  - User, Group, and Access policies
  - Identity Source and Realm structures
• RSA SecurID Access Product Family
  - Product capabilities
  - Solution planning

Domain 2.0: Design and Implement a Solution
The RSA SecurID Access Professional will have the ability to consult with various security constituents and stakeholders to advise and help design a security solution that corresponds to an organization’s needs and objectives.

Content Areas

• RSA SecurID Access Integration
  - Understanding of how RSA SecurID Access components connect with and integrate with an existing infrastructure
• Application and resource protection
  - Scope of protection provided by RSA SecurID Access components and configurations

Domain 3.0: Installation and Configuration
RSA SecurID Access Professionals must have knowledge of the processes used to deploy components and configure system operation.

Content Areas

• System component installation and setup
  - Software and hardware (Appliance) components
  - Server and Agent installation and configuration
  - Establishing communication paths
  - Configuring clustered environments
• Mapping LDAP and Active Directory Identity Sources
• Completing system-level configurations, policies, and data structures
• Configuring applications, agents, and end-user portals

Domain 4.0: Troubleshooting
The RSA SecurID Access Professional must be able to troubleshoot problems relating to component installation and configuration, component connections, and integration with an organization’s infrastructure.

Content Areas

• Troubleshooting
  - Locating error and system logs for all components
  - Interpretation of Error and Log messages at the Server, Agent, Administration Console and Operating System levels
• Understanding of how to obtain assistance from or escalate problems to RSA Support

Examination Preparation

Product Training

Although RSA SecurID Access product training is not a strict requirement in preparation for the RSA SecurID Access Professional Examination, it is highly recommended. Analysis of test results for RSA Certified Security Professional exams indicates that a majority of candidates who attend training prior to testing are more likely to successfully pass the exam on their first attempt.

For full and detailed descriptions of RSA Security course offerings, visit: https://community.rsa.com/community/training.

Body of Knowledge
The body of knowledge from which examination questions are drawn include RSA product training material and lab exercises, user documentation, and product Help text. Candidates are encouraged to review as many of these sources as possible in preparation for an exam.

Product Experience
Many of the areas addressed by the RSA SecurID Access Professional exam will be familiar to the candidate who has worked with the RSA SecurID Access product family.

The RSA SecurID Access Professional exam content areas cover a wide range of RSA SecurID Access product functions because an RSA SecurID Access Professional may be called upon to perform deployments, work closely with and educate system administrators and other personnel, and maintain the day-to-day operation of an RSA SecurID Access implementation.

Prerequisite Certification

RSA SecurID Access Associate Certification is a required prerequisite to register for and take the Professional Certification exam. And your Associate Certification must be achieved within two years prior to taking the Professional exam.
Refer to the RSA University web site Certification page for more specific information about applicable exams and exam codes: https://community.rsa.com/community/training/certification

Examination Details

Testing Centers, Locations, and Registration

The RSA SecurID Certified Administrator examination is administered by the Pearson VUE organization – an internationally known examination provider. Examination centers are located worldwide. Visit the Pearson VUE web site (www.vue.com) and use the Test Center Locator to find a testing facility convenient to you.

You may also use the Pearson VUE site to create a personal login account and register for an exam. The RSA SecurID Access Professional exam code is 050-417-SECURIDPRO01.

Exam Questions

The RSA SecurID Access Professional exam consists of 70 questions to be completed in 85 minutes. The exam consists of multiple-choice, multiple-response, or true/false type questions. The exam is computer-based and closed book – you may not utilize any printed material, personal computers, calculators, cell phones, etc. during the test.

The minimum passing score is 70%. Test results are calculated automatically at the conclusion of the test and testing center personnel can often provide you with an authorized copy of your results before you leave the testing center.

Exam Costs
The fee for taking the exam is US$ 150.00.

Language Availability

The RSA SecurID Access Professional exam is available in North American English.

What to expect at the Testing Center

You must present two forms of identification; one of which is a photo identification.

You will be required to electronically accept the terms of an RSA Certification Program Non-Disclosure Agreement before beginning the examination. You are given an additional 5 minutes above and beyond the examination time to read this agreement before accepting.

Re-taking the Exam
There is no limit on the number of times that you can re-take the certification exam. However, to maintain integrity and confidentiality of the test items, 14 days is the required elapsed time before retaking the test a third time. Please note that you must pay the full exam fee each time that you retake the