I've got projects designed and getting underway for several publishers on more than a handful
of certification books right now. All of these are designed to accommodate new content introduced
with Windows XP SP2 (and planned for inclusion in upcoming Windows Server 2003 SP1, according to numerous
well-informed Microsoft information sources).
So far, the exams specifically covered include the following:
Windows XP Professional (70-270): Could anything be more obvious than this one? Since it takes
Windows XP as its primary (and nearly exclusive) focus, expect a fair amount of new and
changed stuff in a revised version of this exam.
Managing Windows 2000 Network Security (70-214) and Managing Windows Server 2003 Network
Security (70-299): With so many networks using Windows XP as their desktop of choice
nowadays, these exams are also strongly affected by SP2, in ways both good (better security overall)
and bad (more work for administrators, particularly to offset defaults aimed at unsophisticated, standalone users).
Designing Windows 2000 Security (70-220) and Server 2003 Security (70-298): Though changes here are
somewhat less sweeping than in the managing and implementation exams that precede them, there are still
some things that need to change in the wake of SP2.
It's possible that other exams in the Windows Server 2003 collection might change as a result of Windows XP
SP2, but so far that's all speculation and rumor—without any pending work requests or other semi-hard bits
of information to go on. As far as other Windows 2000 exam topics go, I've heard nothing about Windows XP
SP2-related changes on those. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. I'm keeping a
particularly keen eye on the Microsoft training and certification pages, hoping for some actual, official
confirmation on these possibilities very soon!
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