In information technology as in other fields such as teaching, accounting, and acupuncture, certification is a formal process of making certain that an individual is qualified in terms of particular knowledge or skills. Certification programs are often fostered or supervised by some certifying agency, such as a professional association. Some major computer software and hardware vendors provide a certification program for installers of their product, such as Microsoft's Certified Systems Engineer ( MCSE ) for its Windows operating systems, IBM's Certified Lotus Specialist (CLS), and Cisco's Certified Internet work Professional (CCIP). The A+ certification program is a certification that attests to general computer installation and customization knowledge and capabilities.