What you will learn
Syllabus
Certifications
Prerequisites
Why this course?
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Learn how to deploy and manage systems to master essential IT abilities

MCSI Certification

MSAF - System Administration Fundamentals

IT system administration is the process of planning, organizing, installing, configuring, maintaining, supporting and optimizing information technology systems. This includes systems such as network infrastructure, servers, storage, desktops, laptops, applications, printers and copiers. IT system administrators are responsible for ensuring that these systems are running smoothly and efficiently.

Although there are many areas of cyber security that beginners can explore, we believe that learning system administration is one of the best place to start. System administration teaches you essential IT skills that will be useful in your cyber security career. You will learn how to use and manage computers and networks, which is a foundation for understanding IT security. In addition, system administration provides a foundation for learning other important cyber security skills, such as network security and malware analysis.

This course is an excellent starting point for those who have not received formal training in information technology engineering and system administration.

$699
Intermediate Level MCSI Certification Beginner
ic-certificate Certification
ic-clock 200+ hours
ic-money $450
No Expiry, No Renewals

Course Overview

System administration is a complex and multi-faceted field. In order to be successful as a system administrator, you need to be able to not only manage systems and networks, but also possess a wide range of technical skills. Additionally, you must be able to effectively communicate with both users and other members of your IT team.

The MSAF certification is a great way to learn practical system administration skills. The coursework teaches you how to manage Linux and Windows systems, as well as how to troubleshoot common issues. You also learn how to use various tools to optimize system performance. This certification is perfect for those who want to pursue a career in cybersecurity but are missing fundamental IT skills.

The MCSI System Administration certification will equip you with the skillset necessary to carry out the following tasks:

  • Deploy and manage virtual machines
  • Create network architecture diagrams
  • Harden Windows workstations and servers
  • Manage Windows networks using Group Policy Objects (GPOs)
  • Manage local and network firewalls
  • Install backup software and recover from incidents
  • Administer and protect Unix machines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities You Will Acquire

MCSI is one of the most respected and trusted names in cyber security education and training. Our certifications teach critical skills, knowledge and abilities needed to advance a career in cyber security. Our courses are comprehensive and up-to-date, and our instructors are experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping students learn. MCSI provides the real-world skills and knowledge you need to protect any organization from cyber threats.

  • Deploy and manage virtual machines and networks
    • Virtual Box
    • VMWare
    • AWS
    • Taking Snapshots
    • OSI and TCP/IP
    • Network Diagrams
  • Windows Security and Administration
    • Firewall
    • Windows Registry
    • Filesystem
    • UAC
    • Group Policy Objects
    • SMB
    • RDP
    • Users and Groups
  • Linux Security and Administration
    • CRON
    • Scripting
    • Filesystem
    • Squid
    • Permissions
    • Samba
    • SSH
    • Users and Groups

Career Outcomes

This certification thoroughly prepares you for the following roles:

  • Network Technician
  • System Administrator
Certification Detail

MCSI certifications are highly respected, showcasing your expertise and commitment to excellence. With cutting-edge, hands-on content, our exercises teach in-demand skills for immediate application. Certifications are valid for life, with no renewal fees or time limits.

Syllabus

Training Modules

This course provides you with multiple training modules, each of which is designed to teach you practical skills that can help you solve important cyber problems. Each module offers exercises that will help you build your skills and capabilities.

  • MSAF-101: Virtualization Fundamentals - 9 exercises
  • MSAF-102: Networking Fundamentals - 4 exercises
  • MSAF-201: Windows System Security and Administration - Part 1 - 7 exercises
  • MSAF-202: Windows System Security and Administration - Part 2 - 9 exercises
  • MSAF-203: Windows System Security and Administration - Part 3 - 8 exercises
  • MSAF-204: Firewall Fundamentals - 6 exercises
  • MSAF-301: System Security and Administration: Linux - 5 exercises
  • MSAF-302: Backups and Recovery and Restoration 101 - 9 exercises
  • MSAF-303: Introduction to Troubleshooting - 4 exercises
  • MSAF-401: Linux Server 101 - General - 9 exercises
  • MSAF-402: Linux Server 101 - Networking - 5 exercises
  • MSAF-403: Linux Server 101 - Hardening - 8 exercises
  • MSAF-501: Procedures - 1 exercises

Scenarios

Cyber professionals must be ready for everything. The typical security training strategy, which focuses on individual skills and tools, is insufficient. You must be able to operate as part of a team, see the big picture, and respond swiftly and effectively to unforeseen circumstances. That's why, as part of our training, we use replays of whole cyber missions. Our scenarios help you prepare for the demands of the job and give you confidence in your ability to work professionally.

  • MSAF-SC-01: Windows Server 101 - 12 exercises
  • MSAF-SC-02: Introduction to Exchange Server Administration - 10 exercises

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Certifications

MCSI Industry Certifications are important for you to earn because they signify that you have the skills required to work in a cybersecurity. Certificates of Completion are also important to earn because they signify that you have completed an exercise. Earning Certificates of Completion and Industry Certifications demonstrates that you are willing to put in the extra work to be successful.

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Learn in-demand practical skills

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Receive tailored feedback

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Earn 2 certificates & build a portfolio

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Unlock career opportunities

MCSI's MSAF certification provides you with the required skills and knowledge aligned to the Australian Signals Directorate's Cyber Skills Framework . Upon reaching each level, you will earn a certificate of achievement. Click here to learn more about our multi-credentialed approach.

Certificate Level Curriculum Completion Requirement Scenarios Completion Requirement
MCSI System Administration Learner Level 1 0% 0%
MCSI Novice System Administrator Level 2 50% 0%
MCSI System Administration Practitioner Level 3 80% 100%

Sample Exercises

Create A Firewall Rule To Allow And Deny Traffic To Specific Ports (Novice)

exercise

Share A Directory Over A Network Using NFS And Use The Local Firewall To Only Allow Whitelisted IP Addresses To Access IT (Novice)

exercise

Simulate A Real-World Server Migration By Converting A VMware Virtual Machine To An AWS EC2 Instance Using The Server Migration Service (Advanced Beginner)

exercise

Help and Support

Unmatched Mentorship: Accelerate Your Growth

At MCSI, mentorship is built to unlock your full potential. Receive personalized insights from multiple experts, tackle real-world challenges, and get the guidance you need to grow rapidly and excel in your cybersecurity career.

  • Personalized feedback with an average instructor response time of 1 business day
  • Direct access to instructors and peers via a 24/7 Discord server
  • Progress tracking and milestone assessments to keep you on course toward success
  • 95% of MCSI graduates land cybersecurity jobs with expert mentoring and feedback

24/7/365 Discord Community:

If you're looking for additional support during your studies, consider joining our Discord server. Our community of fellow students and instructors is always available to provide help and answer any questions you may have.

Personalized Support:

Your submissions will be reviewed by MCSI instructors, who will provide you with personalized feedback. This input is critical since it can assist you in identifying the areas where you need to enhance your skills. The instructor's feedback will also tell you how well you did an exercise and what you can do to improve your performance even further.

Click here to see an example of personalized feedback.

Our personalized support will take your skills to the next level. Read what a student says about it:

Quick Questions:

If you have any questions or need clarification on any of the exercises, MCSI offers a Quick Questions section on each exercise where you can ask for help. This is a great resource to use if you need assistance. This feature is only available for paid courses.

Prerequisites

Training Laptop Requirement

This course can be completed on a standard training laptop. To ensure you have the necessary hardware to complete the course, your machine should meet the following specifications:

  • 64-bit Intel i5/i7 2.0+ GHz processor or equivalent
  • 8GB of RAM
  • Ability to run at least (1) virtual machine using Virtual Box, or an equivalent virtualization software
  • Windows 10 or later, macOS 10 or later, or Linux
  • Local administrator privileges
Do you support older operating systems?

Yes. Many of the exercises can be completed on older OS versions. A few of our students are successfully using older equipment to learn cyber security.

Proficiency in the English language

You must have the ability to comfortably read and understand IT documentation written in English. Ideally, they have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6 (or equivalent).

Note: You can register for this course without having undertaken an English test.

Professional Experience

No formal professional experience in IT required.

Technical Skills

Some basic skills that we recommend you obtain prior to attempting this course:

  • Ability to install and uninstall software
  • Ability to use search engines to research IT documentation

Lab Environment

This course teaches you how to setup and configure your own cybersecurity lab.

  • Save thousands by avoiding the costs of pre-built labs
  • Customize your lab with the hardware and software you prefer
  • Gain practical skills in networking, system administration, and technical troubleshooting
  • Build confidence by practicing tasks you'll need to perform in real-world jobs
  • Manage and maintain your own tools—just as employers expect in the workplace

Why MCSI's MSAF Certification is World Class

why MCSI certifications

100% Hands-On

Holders of the MSAF Certification have completed 100 practical online exercises thus demonstrating that they have the skills and knowledge required to deploy and manage production ICT systems.

why MCSI certifications

Security Focused

Students who have obtained this Certification have demonstrated that they can deploy fundamental security controls on Windows and Linux machines.

why MCSI certifications

Full Coverage

Covers technologies such as GCP, AWS, Azure, VMWare, VirtualBox, Group Policy Objects, Windows Registry, Firewalls, disk partitions, proxies, samba, SMB, SSH, RDP and Active Directory.

Enrollment and Fees

Fees

Your next breakthrough starts with bold action—take it today with MCSI, buy now:

$699

What You Receive

MCSI delivers unmatched benefits, expertly combined to give you a competitive edge:

  • Lifetime access with no renewal fees or hidden costs
  • All updates free, with regularly refreshed content.
  • 2 certifications in one purchase
  • Personalized feedback and direct access to instructors for continuous support
  • Join a community of 35,000+ users to network, collaborate, and grow

Click here to read student testimonials to see firsthand accounts of their experiences with MCSI training.

Time to Value

After just 5 exercises, 66% of users report stronger problem-solving skills as a direct result of their MCSI training.

Put in the effort, and we guarantee you'll see measurable improvements in your skills within weeks. Depending on your starting point, the MCSI Method will help you become a competent professional within the specific cyber domain taught in this course in just a few months.

Actively Maintained Course

This course is actively maintained, regularly tested, and updated with industry support to ensure accuracy, quality, and the most up-to-date skills—setting it apart as one of the best in the market.

Terms and Conditions

Cooling-Off Policy

Received a full refund if you changed your mind about a purchase within 24 hours. No questions asked. Read the full details here.

Don't Buy This Course

Don't buy this course if you believe cybersecurity is simple, can be mastered in hours, or that passive consumption of videos and books is enough.

Our competitors deceive you with promises that video courses and open-book certificates are sufficient. Cybersecurity demands hundreds of hours facing real challenges, with experts guiding you to strengthen your weaknesses. Only when you embrace this will you grasp the value of the MCSI Method™ and the transformation it offers.

By purchasing, you commit to our 100% practical MCSI Method™—no solutions, no walkthroughs, only critical thinking, problem-solving and research like in the real-world. Unsure? Try the free version first.

How does MCSI Compare?

MCSI is 95% more cost-effective with 20x more practical training hours:

Traditional Vendors Conference Workshop Cybersecurity Bootcamps MCSI Certifications Return on Your Investment
Cost: $5,000+ $4,000+ $10,000+ $450 Save between $3,500 to $9,500
Hours of Practical Training: 30 20 150 200+ hours 20x more practical training hours
Number of Certifications: 1 0 1 2 Certified beginner to expert in one purchase
Travel Expenses: $8,000+ $4,000+ $6,000+ $0 (online) Save between $4,000 to $6,000

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Bloom's Taxonomy

Employers seek problem-solvers who deliver real value. With MCSI, you'll develop practical, in-demand skills applicable across diverse cyber roles.

Our proven training method elevates cyber operators to the top 10% of the industry—the results speak for themselves.

We empower both beginners and experts to accelerate their careers and reach new heights
  • 95% of users completing our Remote Internship or an intermediate course landed cybersecurity jobs
  • 84% reported an increased confidence in their real-world cybersecurity abilities
  • 76% said MCSI training opened new career opportunities
  • 71% said managers recognized their skills improvement
We elevate our users to elite levels through the most realistic cyber training on the planet
  • With just 600 hours of MCSI training, users transform from beginners to expert practitioners—creating tools, presenting at conferences, and being recognized as top talent in their organizations
  • 88% of users reported that MCSI transformed their work approach—enabling greater autonomy, fostering creativity, enhancing problem-solving skills, and improving their ability to meet work expectations
  • 44% of our top users are directly involved in protecting critical infrastructure and national security
Our training transforms lives, empowering users to achieve their personal goals
  • Many of our users have secured roles in tier-1 cybersecurity teams and contributed to high-profile projects featured in global news, thanks in part to our courses
  • Some users received visa sponsorships, enabling them to move from developing countries to the UK, United States, and Australia to work for top firms
  • Several users overcame financial challenges by securing remote freelance or contract roles, rising to the top 5% of IT earners in their countries

We certify cyber practitioners weekly, with results independently verifiable. Our users produce artifacts that employers can audit to confirm their skills—an unmatched capability for those who need to hire top talent.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the MCSI Method™?

    Watch this video:

  • Are solutions disclosed and available?
    • No. Our method of teaching cyber security consists of challenging you with real-world problem statements that you're expected to research and solve by doing your own research. This is how you'll be expected to work in the field. When you fail an exercise, we provide you with constructive feedback to improve and try again.
  • Do exercises, training content, or certificates ever expire? Am I expected to buy again in the future?
    • Upon purchase, all the materials permanently unlocked with no recurring or ongoing fees.
  • Do I need to buy the training and the certification separately?
    • No. The price provided covers both. You only pay once.
  • Do you offer any special offers and discounts?
    • We understand that many of our customers may be looking for discounts, and we would love to be able to offer them. However, we do not provide discounts because we believe that our prices are fair and reasonable. We work hard to keep our prices low, and we feel that discounts would be unfair to our other customers. We hope you understand.
  • If I can't solve the exercise where do I go for help?
  • Who reviews and marks exercises?
    • Trained cyber security instructors that work for Mossé Cyber Security Institute.
    • MCSI instructors are highly qualified and experienced professionals who are able to teach a variety of topics related to information security. They have the ability to tailor their teaching methods to meet the needs of each student, regardless of their experience level. In addition, they are always up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in information security, which enables them to provide students with the most relevant and current information.
  • We can't pay via credit card. Can you raise an invoice for wire payment instead?
    • Yes. Send us the list of bundles and certifications you want to purchase at [email protected]
  • Can I access a trial/demo the certification programmes prior to enrolling?
    • We provide a free curriculum with 100+ hours practical exercises you can try.
    • The Free Curriculum teaches Security Tools, Penetration Testing, Red Teaming, Threat Hunting, Cyber Defence, GRC and Windows Internals.
    • Try the Free Curriculum
  • Do you provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits?
    • Yes. Every single exercise offers CPE credits. The number of credits earned depends on the difficulty of the exercise completed. Below are the CPE Credits achieve for an exercise in each difficulty:
    • Novice exercises = 1 CPE credits
    • Advanced Beginner exercises = 2 CPE credits
    • Competent exercises = 5 CPE credits
  • Do I need to complete an exam to receive MCSI Certification?
    • No. MCSI Certifications are completed by solving practical cybersecurity exercises.
  • Do I need to purchase cybersecurity tools or subscriptions?
    • No. Only free or trial versions are used in our exercises. You do not require making any purchases.

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