Before attending this course, students must:

Have basic knowledge of security protocols and how they work. For example, Windows NT LAN Manager (NTLM) or Kerberos.

Have basic knowledge of public key infrastructure (PKI) systems. For example, how public and private keys work, strengths and weaknesses, and what they are used for.

Have working knowledge of network architectures and technologies. For example, how a firewall works, how IPSec works in a networking context, and common vulnerability points.

Have working knowledge of Active Directory directory service. For example, security models, policies, group policy objects (GPOs), and organizational units (OUs).

Be able to design a database to third normal form (3NF) and know the tradeoffs when backing out of the fully normalized design (denormalization) and designing for performance and business requirements in addition to being familiar with design models, such as Star and Snowflake schemas.

Have strong monitoring and troubleshooting skills.

Have experience creating Microsoft Office Visio drawings or have equivalent knowledge.

Have strong knowledge of the operating system and platform. That is, how the operating system integrates with the database, what the platform or operating system can do, interaction between the operating system and the database.

Have basic knowledge of application architecture. That is, different methods of implementing security in an application, how applications can be designed in three layers, what applications can do, the interaction between applications and the database, and interactions between the database and the platform or operating system.

Have knowledge about network security tools. For example, sniffer and port scanning. Must understand how they should be used.

Be able to use patch management systems.

Have knowledge of common attack methods. For example, buffer overflow, and replay attacks.

Be familiar with SQL Server 2005 features, tools, and technologies.

Have a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 credential or equivalent experience.

In addition, it is recommended, but not required, that students have completed:

Course SST9/2778: Writing Queries Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Transact-SQL.

Course S9IM/2779: Implementing a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.

Course S9MA/2780: Maintaining a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Database.

This course is intended for current professional database administrators who have three or more years of on-the-job experience administering SQL Server database solutions in an enterprise environment.