CASP Certification Focuses on the Big Picture

CASP Focuses on the Big Picture


When it comes down to it, any professional accreditation is only as good as its relevance in the field. According to veteran security engineer Jeremy Hoel, the new CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification covers the big picture for today’s needs. Hoel, a senior security engineer for global IT services provider PE Systems Inc., said he already could see the benefits within his own workplace. “It would allow co-workers to demonstrate an understanding of multiple security parts of a network and how they should come together” 


If you need IT Technical Training, Training Planet is the best place to check. Great everyday low prices on training and certification products to get you a job or move up the ladder.


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Loving Tech Doesn’t Always Translate into Tech Career Interest

Loving Tech Doesn’t Always Translate into Tech Career Interest


The love affair teenagers and young adults have with technology doesn’t necessarily translate into interest in an IT career, according to a new CompTIA study, While 97 percent of teens and young adults report loving or liking technology, just 18 percent report a definitive interest in a career in IT.
 But interest levels jump when teens and young adults are presented with options for specific jobs.






If you need IT Technical Training, Training Planet is the best place to check. Great everyday low prices on training and certification products to get you a job or move up the ladder.

The Rise of the Machines?

The Rise of the Machines


The “Internet of Things” is rapidly becoming a very real phenomenon, and its power comes from sensors that are able to communicate with each other and learn from the data they are exchanging. The fields of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication and machine learning will grow dramatically. CompTIA’s Market Research Department will explore the topic of Big Data this summer, and as part of that study, they will bring specific focus to M2M and machine learning. 

Are you Feeling More Positive about Jobs?

Are you Feeling More Positive about Jobs?


The CompTIA IT Industry Business Confidence Index recorded a gain of 4.6 points during Q2. The Index – an aggregation of opinions on the U.S. economy, the IT industry and one’s company – is now at its highest level in more than a year.

Major changes to GI Bill in 2011

The Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 was recently signed into law. This page lists changes to the GI Bill made by this law.

Effective August 1, 2009, but not payable until October 1, 2011

• Expands the Post-9/11 GI Bill to include Active Service performed by National Guard members under title 32 U.S.C. for the purpose of organizing, administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the National Guard; or under section 502(f) for the purpose of responding to a national emergency.

Effective March 5, 2011

• Limits active duty members to the net cost for tuition and fees prorated based on the eligibility tiers (40%-100%) previously established for Veterans
  • Same limitations apply to spouses of active duty servicemembers

Effective August 1, 2011

• For Veterans and their transferees - simplifies the tuition and fee rates for those attending a public school and creates a national maximum for those enrolled in a private or foreign school
  • Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees;
  • Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually;
  • The Yellow Ribbon Program still exists for out-of-state fees and costs above the cap.
• For Active Duty Members and their transferees - creates a national rate for those active duty members enrolled in a private or foreign school pursuing a degree
  • Pays all public school in-state tuition and fees;
  • Private and foreign school costs are capped at $17,500 annually
• Allows VA to pay MGIB (chapter 30) and MGIB-SR (chapter 1606) ‘kickers’, or college fund payments, on a monthly basis instead of a lump sum at the beginning of the term
• Prorates housing allowance by the student’s rate of pursuit (rounded to the nearest tenth)
  • A student training at a rate of pursuit of 75% would receive 80% of the BAH rate
• Break or interval pay is no longer payable under any VA education benefit program unless under an Executive Order of the President or due to an emergency, such as a natural disaster or strike.
  • This means that when your semester ends (e.g. December 15th), your housing allowance is paid for the first 15 days of December only and begins again when your next semester begins (e.g. January 10th) and is paid for the remaining days of January.
  • Students using other VA education programs are included in this change. Monthly benefits will be pro-rated in the same manner.
  • Entitlement that previously would have been used for break pay will be available for use during a future enrollment.
• Allows reimbursement for more than one “license or certification” test (previously only one test was allowed).
  • However, entitlement is now charged
• Allows reimbursement of fees paid to take national exams used for admission to an institution of higher learning (e.g., SAT, ACT, GMAT, LSAT)
• Allows those who are eligible for both Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (chapter 31) benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits to choose the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s monthly housing allowance instead of the chapter 31 subsistence allowance.
• NOAA and PHS personnel are now eligible to transfer their entitlement to eligible dependents

Effective October 1, 2011

• Allows students to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill for -
  • Non-college degree (NCD) programs: Non-college degree (NCD) programs offered at non-degree granting schools: Pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees or $17,500, whichever is less. Also pays up to $83 per month for books and supplies.
  • On-the-job and apprenticeship training: Pays a monthly benefit amount prorated based on time in program and up to $83 per month for books and supplies.
  • Flight programs: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $10,000, whichever is less.
  • Correspondence training: Per academic year, pays the actual net costs for in-state tuition and fees assessed by the school or $8,500, whichever is less.
• Housing allowance is now payable to students (other than those on active duty) enrolled solely in distance learning. The housing allowance payable is equal to ½ the national average BAH for an E-5 with dependents.
• The full-time rate for an individual eligible at the 100% eligibility tier would be $673.50 for 2011.
• Allows students on active duty to receive a books and supplies stipend.

The list below highlights changes of particular interest to School Certifying Officials.

• Reporting fees paid to schools increases from $7 to $12 and $11 to $15 per student per year
• Requires that reporting fees only be used for the purpose of certification
• Standard college degree programs offered at accredited public and private-not-for-profit schools are deemed already approved for VA Education Benefits
• Non-college degree programs, on-the-job training, and flight training programs are now covered (effective October 1, 2011)
• Allows the VA to use SAAs for compliance and oversight duties
• Allows VA to disapprove courses

Questions about Education for Military Service Members programs and services

Overview

The Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Program offers eligible service members opportunities to further their education through a variety of programs and services provided by the individual branches of Service. These resources are available to assist in planning, completing, and paying for educational advancement from basic academic competencies up to Doctoral degrees. Due to the mobile lifestyle of service members, credit for courses can be earned several different ways, including through the traditional classroom setting, college-level equivalency testing, an assessment of prior learning, an assessment of military training, independent study, and distance learning.

The following are Frequently Asked Questions about Education for service Members programs and services.  What is voluntary education? Voluntary education provides service members with opportunities to voluntarily pursue their education goals during off-duty time (after work) or during duty hours as authorized by the branches of Service. These opportunities are intended to be comparable to those available in the civilian community, regardless of duty location. How can I participate in voluntary education programs when military orders require frequent moves? The voluntary education programs are offered by each branch of Service through a variety of methods to meet the needs of the mobile military community. Service members can earn credit for higher education through traditional classroom settings, college-level equivalency testing, an assessment of prior military training, independent study, and through distance learning. The installation Education Center staff can provide detailed information on the various education programs, assist with completing required forms for study, and help design a specific course of study (i.e., degree planning). What kinds of voluntary education programs are available for service members? The Department of Defense (DoD) offers the following programs and services to assist service members in achieving their education goals: Academic Skills Programs - These programs offer service members opportunities to update or enhance basic academic competencies in areas such as English, reading, writing, speaking, and mathematics. High School Diploma - This program provides full reimbursement for the cost of studies and testing leading to service members receiving a high school diploma or a high school equivalency credential. Examinations Program - This program allows service members to earn certificates, licenses, college credits, and a high school diploma, as well as satisfy entrance and employment requirements, with successful completion of tests such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), and the National Teacher Exam (NTE). Military Evaluations Program - The American Council on Education (ACE), under DoD contract, develops credit recommendations based on its evaluation of Service school courses, military training, and most enlisted occupations. Most colleges and universities award college credit based on these recommendations. Independent Study and External Degree Programs - These programs allow service members the opportunity for academic advancement through flexible scheduling, little or no residency requirements, and nontraditional approaches to education, such as distance learning through broadcast video, recorded video, interactive CD-ROM, teleconferencing, or the Internet. Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) - SOC is a network of colleges and universities that has partnered with DoD to meet the educational needs of the mobile military community. SOC schools have minimum residency requirements, accept credit transferred from other member institutions, and award credit for military training, experience, and results of nationally recognized testing programs. To address the specific needs of different branches of Service, SOC has designated five individual degree networks: SOCAD (Army), SOCNAV (Navy), SOCMAR (Marine Corps), SOCCOAST (Coast Guard), and SOCGUARD (National Guard). Postsecondary Degree Programs - The primary focus of DoD voluntary education programs is to enable service members to earn college credit towards an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree. In many cases, the courses are offered on military installations or are available to service members who are at sea or deployed. Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Program - The TA Program authorizes all of the branches of Service to pay 100 percent of the cost of tuition expenses for service members taking courses at colleges and universities. TA is not a loan that needs to be repaid, but rather a benefit earned for serving in the military, similar to base pay. Different eligibility criteria, obligation of service requirements, application processes, and restrictions exist for each branch of Service. Transcript Services - Each branch of Service offers transcript services to track and document a service member's or veteran's military coursework and training. These transcripts can be obtained by the service member or veteran at no cost and sent to accredited universities and colleges for use in obtaining college credit for military experiences. The Army, Navy, and Marine Corps have partnered with ACE to use the Army / ACE Registry Transcript System (AARTS) and the Sailor / Marine / ACE Transcript System (SMARTS). Transcripts for Air Force and Coast Guard personnel are available from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and the Coast Guard Institute (CGI), respectively. Loan Repayment Programs - These programs are offered to qualified service members to assist in managing college debts. After each completed year of active duty service, the military pays 33-1/3 percent or $1,500, whichever is greater, on the total remaining original principle balance. Programs for Afloat College Education (PACE) - PACE offers Sailors at sea the opportunity to continue their college studies. PACE is free for the Sailor (the only cost is for books) and offers courses taught by civilian instructors aboard the ship or access to college classes using computer technology. Yes, but other programs are available to veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers various education benefit programs for eligible veterans, including: Montgomery G.I. Bill - Active Duty (MGIB) - The MGIB provides up to thirty-six months of education benefits for college, business, technical, correspondence or vocational courses, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, or flight school for service members who have served on active duty in the past and are now no longer with the military. Participants can receive over $36,000 in tuition and can use the MGIB in conjunction with the Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Program to cover additional tuition costs not covered by their branch of Service (within DoD limits). MGIB - Selected Reserve (SR) - The MGIB-SR provides similar benefits as the MGIB but is targeted towards members of the Selected Reserve (Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, and the Army National Guard and Air National Guard). The MGIB-SR provides up to thirty-six months of education benefits for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study programs, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, vocational flight training programs, and remedial, refresher, and deficiency training under certain circumstances. Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) - REAP is a relatively new veterans' education benefit program that provides financial assistance for education to members of the Reserve components called or ordered to active duty in response to a war or national emergency. Reserve component service members who were called to active duty can receive up to thirty-six months of assistance, payable based on a percentage of the MGIB three-year rates, and on the number of continuous days served on active duty. As with the MGIB, the program provides educational assistance for institutional training, correspondence training, flight training, apprenticeship training, and cooperative training. Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) - The VEAP is available if service members entered active duty between 1 January 1977 and 30 June 1985 and elected to make contributions from their military pay to participate in the program. The government matches contributions to the account at a rate of $2 for every $1 and this money can then be used for degree, certificate, correspondence, apprenticeship/on-the-job training, and vocational flight training programs. Where can I receive more information on voluntary education programs and services? Installation Education Centers can provide service members with more information on any of the voluntary education programs. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits website can also assist service members in obtaining information about VA-administered programs. Individual branches of Service voluntary education websites are listed below: Army - Army Continuing Education System (ACES) Marine Corps - Marine Corps Lifelong Learning Navy - Navy College Program (NCP) Air Force - Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) Independent Study and External Degree Programs - These programs allow service members the opportunity for academic advancement through flexible scheduling, little or no residency requirements, and nontraditional approaches to education, such as distance learning through broadcast video, recorded video, interactive CD-ROM, teleconferencing, or the Internet.

Military Education Benefits Users Guide

Reimbursement Programs

Most Cisco Certification exams are eligible for reimbursement under the G.I. Bill. Effective August 1, 2011, you may be entitled to reimbursement for more than one “license or certification” test (previously only one test was allowed).

• Military Education Benefits Users Guide: Review the most common military educational benefits you could be entitled to.
• COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line): COOL can help you find civilian credentials related to your military occupational specialty, understand what it takes to obtain the credentials, and see if there are available programs that will help pay credentialing fees.
• Army
• Navy
• DANTES: The mission of this organization is to support the off-duty voluntary education programs of the U.S. Department of Defense.
• Military Spouse and Family Assistance Programs: Learn more about the education benefits the DoD, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and each of the service's have to offer. Many spouses now also qualify for GI Bill transferability.
• MyCAA: This employment assistance program provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or Associate’s degree in a portable career field and occupation. 
• ebenefits.va.gov
  
  
  Don't forget that TrainingPlanet.com online and self study IT certification courses are available and also various IT 'Boot Camps' nationwide.

How to Evaluate Cloud Security

Cloud computing is the hot-button tech topic these days. When it comes   to talk of transitioning companies to the cloud, there is one question   that just won’t seem to go away: Is it safe? For cloud computing to secure its spot as the future of computing,   businesses need to feel confident that their data is as secure in the   cloud as it would be in a traditional on-site infrastructure. When evaluating the services of a cloud hosting provider, businesses   therefore need to evaluate the security and backup systems with the same   rigorous criteria as their in-house operations




Here are five criteria to help evaluate the security of your cloud-based data:


1. Can We Intrude?
Even the most up-to-date firewalls will not prevent intrusion.  To   protect your data in the cloud, it is vital to have a solid intrusion   detection and prevention system (IDPS).  A first rate IDPS goes beyond   firewall protection and detects and blocks threats outside or above the   firewall layer.   It also screens out spyware and viruses at the   perimeter.


2. Privacy is Paramount.
 As further protection against   threats, a private, virtual local area network (VLAN) – situated beyond a   firewall – is absolutely essential to protecting your data.  You should   make sure the hosting provider you choose can guarantee they are   placing your servers in isolated VLANs to prevent any cross traffic   contamination.


3. Traffic in the Right Lane.
Another important   differentiator to look at: a well-implemented IDPS can also identify   anomalies in “normal” network traffic, offering yet another level of   security. It constantly scans all traffic coming to and from the   network, all the way up to the application layer.   Over time, it is   able to spot malicious intent that a firewall would miss. This helps   with protection against new malware, or “zero hour” threats.


4. Who Has Your Back?
Moving data to the cloud is a big   step for an enterprise.  You need to feel your service provider is   trustworthy and supports you 24×7.  One quality control check  is the   SSAE (Standards for Attestation Engagements) No. 16 Type II audit, which   confirms what level of service and reliability they are providing.    Besides the security issues such as threat detection and VLANs, you will   want to ensure the provider has trained, qualified personnel that can   provide you with reliable technical support as needed.


5. Fast Restore.
 No Waiting. Should the worst happen,   and there is a data loss, you will want your provider to have the   industry’s most rigorous application-consistent backup.  What this means   is that your hosting service has taken point-in-time snapshots of your   data, flushing all transactions to a disk, and avoiding data   corruption.  You get a cleaner, quicker restore, and no tape is needed!    Contrast this with ‘crash-consistent’ snapshots that can miss data and   take up to a day to restore, costing you expensive downtime.


The tremendous potential to businesses in terms of scalability and   flexibility (without having to invest in costly IT hardware that quickly   becomes obsolete) makes the transition cloud a worthwhile pursuit. By   performing due diligence on the security and backup systems of any cloud   provider, businesses can enjoy the benefits of moving to the cloud without losing peace of mind.


Cloud Training and Certification is available at http://www.certificationcity.com

CompTIA Commends Efforts to Hire Veterans

CompTIA Commends Efforts to Hire Veterans


Last week marked the one-year anniversary of Joining Forces, an effort to recognize, honor and serve military families. Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer of CompTIA, commented, “I applaud the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden’s efforts to encourage companies in the private sector to hire veterans. One of the most important ways we can honor the service and sacrifices of our veterans is to make a commitment to employ them.  CompTIA continues to encourage companies in the IT sector to hire veterans. Since the launch of our Troops to Tech Careers initiative late last year, CompTIA has certified more than 2,700 veterans for careers in IT-related fields, and more than 20 corporations have joined the corporate registry at our Troops to Tech Careers website, where veterans can locate open job positions.”  


Don't forget Trainingplanet.com has the training and certification you need for CompTIA exams.

Young Women Launching their IT Careers at ChiTech

Some may fret about the shortage of women in technical and scientific career tracks, but the young women of Chicago Tech Academy High School (ChiTech) have no time for that. They are too busy—working to learn all they can about technology, science, math and entrepreneurship while pursuing their individual goals. And they are thriving. 


Why not let TrainingPlanet.com help you setup a technical training center at your school.

Getting an IT Career Back on Track

In early 2010, Lisa Mandy had IT skills, having worked in the field for decades, but her skills were outdated because she had left her last IT job in 2005 due to health reasons. TrainingPlanet.com, helped Mandy earn current CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications to resume her IT career.

Certification Secured Vet’s First IT Job

An IT career was something Derrick Graham pursued for years, completing online-college level IT classes while enlisted in the Navy and working as an aircraft mechanic.  But it wasn’t until he completed CompTIA certifications required by Department of Defense Directive 8570 at a Learning Center in Durham, N.C., that Graham won his first IT job. “I didn’t get my first break until after obtaining Security+, which met one of the DoD Directives,” says Graham, now a help desk analyst with the U.S. Army Reserves (USARC) at U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.


Get certification and training at http://www.trainingplanet.com

Should cybersecurity be a top priority for the government?

Exclusive: Analyst says the evidence doesn't match the hype


Is cybersecurity one of your top concerns? Whatever your opinion might be, the government has taken a particularly strong interest in it lately, as security breaches appear to be on the rise. In recent years, the U.S. has seen corporations such as Sony and Citibank hacked as well as various divisions of the government including the Senate and the Pentagon. 


As a result of this influx of attacks, Congress is currently weighing legislation that would attempt to prevent cyber warfare. In fact, more than fifty bills have been introduced in Congress toward this effort. 


Should cybersecurity be a top priority for the government? 


Last year, WebProNews reported that cyber warfare was a very real threat and that social media played a significant role in it. Charles Dodd, a U.S. government consultant on cyber defense, told us then that terrorists are recruiting hundreds and thousands of people every couple of months through social media.


"Cyber will be the next generation warfare," he said.


Security Training available at http://www.trainingplanet.com

Cisco Raises CCNA Exam Prices!!

We Love Cisco®. They are just amazing, aren’t they?

Do you want to the take the 640–802 CCNA? It’s now $295.

How about the two exam method: ICND1 and ICND2? That will now cost you $300!

Okay, let’s do the CCDA exam.…that’s now $200 (up from $150).…

Nice. Thanks Cisco®...

Talking Networking Careers With Todd Lammle Podcast

Trainer, author, and long-time network industry veteran Todd Lammle joins Ethan Banks and Greg Ferro for a chat about the good ol’ days, the days ahead, and how to make it in the networking business.

Listen to ‘Talking Career with Todd Lammle’

We hit the following topics along the way.

• Todd, how did you get started in networking?
• How did you transition into training and writing?
• Luck vs. self-discipline – which is more important and why?
• Is blogging a waste of time? What about social media?
• Physical books vs. e-books & e-learning. Does it matter?
• A lot of people think certifications are the answer to IT success. Are they?
• Why has it gotten so much harder to keep up with technology?
• What are the up-and-coming skills someone in networking should focus on to stay relevant?
• When it is time to move on to a different employer?
• What does cloud computing really mean for the networking industry?
• How does someone manage to earn a certification when they also have a full-time job and a family?
• What are some techniques to master the information required to pass a certification exam?

To download this podcast, visit PacketPushers.net.

From ICND1 CCENT to CCIE in 5 Weeks!

Greetings!


Move all the way from the bottom to the top of the Cisco Certification track in just five weeks with Todd Lammle's GlobalNet Training!


From ICND1 (CCENT) to CCIE in 5 Weeks!

For the SUMMER, FALL and WINTER schedules below, this deeply discounted package covers all hotel days for five consecutive weeks — even weekends. A total of 32 room nights!

* Select one of the four tracks above, or create your own package by cherry-picking specific dates that are convenient to your schedule.Choose any four dates for ICND1, CCNA, CCNP and CCIE R&S Written to qualify for the package discount.




Let me help you get into these classes and raise your career to a new level!

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the allocation or lease of computer services and can include computation, software and data storage/access, which allows companies and individuals to access these functions from a remote location. In many instances, cloud computing allows for a “pay-as-you-go” solution to a variety of computing features and is the next big thing in personal and commercial computer solutions.

The most obvious advantage to cloud computing is the amount of money that a business or individual can save by switching over from a traditional infrastructure. Instead of directly buying software/hardware directly employing technicians, users of the cloud can simply purchase access to these elements and get only what is needed.

Another advantage to using the Cloud is the ease of scalability. Depending on the client’s needs, services can be quickly added or removed and the amount of data storage can be increased or decreased. This provides more flexibility when it comes to changing budgets, unexpected volume shifts or unforeseen circumstances; simply change the setup and subscription and the cloud setup is now suited for whatever situation life throws at it.

What does all of this mean for the average person? For individuals on a budget, cloud computing gives access to a variety of software and storage capabilities that they otherwise would not be available or affordable. Someone who cannot afford to spend $400 for Microsoft Office might have had to do without before, but with cloud computing, they can “rent” access to the program for a very low monthly or yearly fee. Someone who needs a lot of storage that could not afford physical hard drives will now be able to purchase the space for a far more reasonable price, will have access to that data from anywhere on the planet and can share it with anybody else.

Business Operations Impacted by Widening IT Skills Gap

Business Operations Impacted by Widening IT Skills Gap

Eight in ten organizations say their business operations are impacted by gaps in the skill sets of their IT staffs, according to new CompTIA research. The dynamic, fast-changing nature of technology and a lack of training resources are the biggest factors contributing to the skills gap, CompTIA’s State of the IT Skills Gap study reveals.

To close the gap, a majority of companies surveyed say they intend to devote more resources to training. IT skills shortcomings impact staff productivity (cited by 41 percent of responding companies), customer service and engagement (32 percent) and security (31 percent). It also impacts speed to market for IT businesses at a higher rate (34 percent) than other industries (20 percent). 

Visit TrainingPlanet.com to get that training and certification!

Security Threats Go Global

As technology permeates every functional area of a business and more company staff assumes the role of a knowledge worker, organizations across the globe must contend with new security threats and vulnerabilities. CompTIA’s 9th Annual Information Security Trends finds that like in the United States, information security is the top strategic priority in Brazil, India, Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Professionals responsible for information security in these countries also expect IT budgets to increase in 2012.

Leading Cybersecurity Certification Groups Form Industry Collaborative

Global leaders in vendor-neutral, standards-based cybersecurity credentials announced the creation of the Cybersecurity Credentials Collaborative (C3), a new effort to promote the benefits of certifications in the skills development of information security professionals around the world. Inaugural members of C3 include ASIS International, CompTIA, EC-Council, GIAC, IAPP, IEEE Computer Society, ISACA, (ISC)2 and NBISE. By bringing these credentialing groups together under the C3 banner, the group hopes to provide a more coherent and disciplined picture of cybersecurity certifications and the value these credentials deliver to individual workers and the organizations that employ them.

CompTIA Certification Testing Moving to a Single Vendor

CompTIA Certification Testing Moving to a Single Vendor
To simplify the overall testing experience for our certification candidates, CompTIA exams will be delivered exclusively with Pearson VUE via their network of more than 5,000 testing centers in 165 countries, effective July 9, 2012. CompTIA certification exams will no longer be available at Prometric testing centers at that time. Moving to Pearson VUE for exclusive worldwide delivery of CompTIA exams will provide our candidates with one point of contact to serve all of their testing needs.  May 4, 2012, is the last day to buy a voucher from Prometric, and July 8, 2012, is the last day to test at a Prometric Test Center.  Pearson VUE has been delivering CompTIA exams since 2003, and you can take all CompTIA certification exams at a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center now.

How Apple is changing your IT Certifications

For as long as I can remember Windows and Linux based PC’s have been the staple of the technology and business sectors. With the popularity of the iPhone and iPad, Apple is becoming a more prevelent name in the office. As windows based systems are being pushed out the door, so are the certifications that used to equate to higher pay and hireability. Premium pay for certification based jobs has dropped between 4.6% and 6.4% over the last two years, the highest loss being to those with database certifications due to outsourcing to India. So is there no hope for those attempting to prove their knowledge base but have a shortage of work experience? Of course there is…Apple.

Of course the question is, which Apple certifications are the best? Well that depends on what you’re going for. If you work for a company that is considering transitioning to a Mac based workforce, then get the Mac Integration Basics Certification. This certification specializes in integrating a Mac machine into a Windows based network and confronting the issues that may present themselves during the process. Or maybe you’re wanting to change jobs and you’re looking to be valuable to a company that has already made the shift. Then go for the Apple Certified Macintosh Technician (ACMT) Certification. A ACMT certification shows prospective employers that you’re not going to get hired and start complaining about how compact and “busy” the inside of a Mac is. You’ve seen it all before!. You could also go with one of the three OS X Lion Certifications offered.

Notebook and Laptop Repair Videos

 IF YOU REPAIR (OR WANT TO) THIS VIDEOS OF COMPUTER NOTEBOOK REPAIR & TROUBLESHOOTING KNOWLEDGE IS NOT TO BE MISSED...

•Do you want to learn how to fix laptops?


•Are you afraid to work on laptops for fear of breaking them?


•Do you want to expand your skill set so you can make big money fixing laptops instead of sending the business away?

Screenshot to get an idea of the size and clarity of the videos 

What do you get in this package? You'll see in full 960x540 HD video:

•How to replace a motherboard
•How to replace an LCD Screen
•What to do when the laptop keeps shutting down
•How to fix DC power jacks
•The crucial difference between a bad screen and a bad inverter board
•How to replace hinges
•Where I buy all my parts
•The best way to go about taking a laptop apart
•How to solder
•The art of fixing AC adapters
•How to handle a laptop that has had liquid spilled in it
•what to do when a laptop overheats
•how to replace CD/DVD drives, RAM, processors, hard Drives and wireless cards
•and much, much more!!

There are 40+ videos in this collection, totaling over 10 hours of HD video. Yes, I said 10 hours. 



  Here's a list of just some of the videos included in this collection:  


•Introduction

•Tools

•Batteries

•CD/DVD Drives

•Motherboards

•How to Take a Laptop Apart

•Power Problems - Gateway Laptop

•Toshiba Laptop Power Jack Fix

•Motherboard Replacement - HP DV6000

•Key Not Working- Sony Vaio

•Replace Keyboard - Gateway Laptop

•Vaio Ribbon Repair

•Power Jack - Dell B130

•Power Jack Repair - Gateway Laptop

•Testing a Hard Drive With KNOPPIX

•Replace Cracked Screen - Aspire 3680

•Won't Boot Up - HP DV6000

•Replace LCD Cover - Acer Aspire 3610

•Replacing a Keyboard - Dell Inspiron 1521

•Screen Back Cover - Dell Inspiron 1521

•Screen Replacement - Toughbook CF-W5

•Power Jack Fix - Acer Aspire 3680

•Touchpad Buttons Not Working

•Vaio Laptop Power Jack Repair

•Water Damaged Laptop - Toshiba

•HP DV8000 - Spilled Iced Tea - Keys Not Working

•Spilled Beer on a Dell Inspiron 1525

•Checking a DC Jack on an HP DV5

...And That's Not Even Nearly All Of Them!
 
These videos have been years in the making. These are not your low quality, inexperienced YouTube videos you've probably seen in your travels. Steve Cherubino is a laptop specialist who has had people send him laptops to fix from all over the world. These are real repairs from a real technician who has owned his very own computer repair shop in Philadelphia PA, and has taken apart and repaired hundreds of laptops!



BUY Notebook and Laptop Repair Videos TODAY

"I have never wrote a company about a product before and I was hesitant to buy the videos, but after watching the first few I was in awe of the clarity and amount of detail made this maybe the best choice of my tech career.

Anyone of any level can watch, learn and make money hand over fist just by watching these videos, the camera work and the voice narration made it very clear and easy to understand, I have told every tech I know that they need to buy this, at least to fix their own laptops, the cost savings is unprecedented, I have never seen something so affordable save me and earn me so much money.

Bottom line it is the best money I have spent since I bought my wifes wedding ring!

Thanks for all your hard work, p.s. the bonus videos are great!"

Still Thinking About It? These Videos Pay For Themselves!

 In the scheme of things this is minimal seeing as how you can recoup the cost of these videos in just one job! Also, realize this is a master course in laptop repair, one that you would have to pay many thousands of dollars at any technical institution to get! Buy these videos and expand your knowledge and your business today!


NEW ALSO AVAILABLE ON DVD-ROM!


Podnutz Laptop Repair Videos Released On DVD


Thanks for your interest in the Laptop Repair Video Collection on DVD. It has been popular demand that the videos be released on DVD, as I know many of the videos are large and can take some time to download.

Because of the size of the videos, putting them on DVD has been quite a task but it is finally completed! I also wanted to make sure that the DVD set came with a full menu system for easy navigation and that the quality of every movie was the best it could possibly be. This has all been accomplished as you can see below.

Included is:

•4 jam packed discs containing the full Laptop Video Collection
•Full menu system for easy video locating
•Introductory screen w/music for every disc
•Perfect and crisp DVD quality in every video
•Will work in your standalone DVD player
Massive 4 Disc Set!

You'll be receiving the discs in a massive 4 disc collection. Each disc with it's own introduction screen and menu system. Slim DVD case included for easy storage. Finally, play the Podnutz Laptop Repair Videos on your DVD player with this professionally assembled video collection.



Introductory Offer!

The 4 DVD set is a massive collection that retails normally for $129.95. But...for a limited time I'm offering you the introductory price of $79.95 + shipping. In the scheme of things this is minimal seeing as how you can recoup the cost of these videos in just one job! Also, realize this is a master course in laptop repair, one that you would have to pay many thousands of dollars at any technical institution to get! Buy these videos and expand your knowledge and your business today!

BUY Notebook and Laptop Repair Videos TODAY

New Certification on the Block – EC Council’s CCISO

 “This one’s too technical”, “that one’s not technical enough” – “ah, this one’s just right”. And some would argue that holders of certain “gold-standard” certifications are not necessarily security-savvy. It goes on and on and on.


Over the years there has been a lot of ink spilled, keys clicked and blood shed over the morass of information security-related professional certifications that have popped up across the landscape like proverbial weeds in the garden.


From my perspective, certifications are analogous to a college degree. There are incredibly smart and capable people that do and do not have degrees. There are no guarantees when it comes to a person’s knowledge, experience, and capabilities.


However, if one does have a college degree it reflects that some commitment had been made by the individual to study and earn the degree. And depending on the quality of the school and program, one would expect there has been some standard of study attained as part of their chosen course of study.


Likewise, pursuing professional certifications reflects one’s commitment to earning the certification, adhering to some standard or body of knowledge that is the foundation for the certification, and typically maintaining the certification by renewal/retesting or continuing education requirements.


This leads me to EC Council’s new C|CISO – Certified Chief Information Security Officer certification.

When the C|EH first came out, I was enamored with the idea of certifying and codifying a body of knowledge around the algorithmic-like steps involved in breaching networks and systems for the sake of understanding the process and defending one's environment. 

EC Council's development of this and the evolution of their other security-related professional certifications have resulted in a truly well-rounded and quality suite of certification and educational offerings. 

I was delighted to learn of their new CCSIO certification which is comprised of five domains: 

(1) Governance (Policy, Legal, and Compliance)

(2) IS Management Controls and Auditing Management (Projects, Technology, and Operations) 

(3) Management - Projects and Operations
(4) Information Security Core Competencies, and
(5) Strategic Planning and Finance.  

EC-Council and Ethical Hacking featured in Fox Business News