Does MCSE equate to MCITP: Enterprise Administrator?

Q.  Does MCSA equate to MCITP: Server Administrator and does MCSE equate to MCITP: Enterprise Administrator?

A.  No, not exactly. The MCITP on Windows Server 2008 certification requires a new skill set—in some cases, a more robust one—that differs from the skill set needed for MCSA and MCSE certifications.

• MCITP: Server Administrator certification covers more operations-related job skills than the MCSA certification.
• MCITP: Enterprise Administrator maps to an actual job role profile, whereas the MCSE certification does not. The latter combines technology and job skills

Shon Harris CISSP Training

Shon Harris, CISSP, MCSE, is a security consultant, a former engineer in the Air Force Information Warfare Unit, an instructor, an author, and President of Logical Security.

 Shon Harris has written two best selling CISSP books, and co-authored Hacker's Challenge and Gray Hat Hacking. Shon has developed a new security book series, being published by McGraw-Hill, which will be sold to corporations, universities, colleges, and professionals throughout the world. This series will set the new standards in security training, education, and industry practices. 

She is an active contributor for Information Security Magazine and Windows 2000 Magazine. Shon has taught computer and information security to a wide range of clients including RSA, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Security Agency (NSA), Bank of America, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), BMC, and more.

 Shon Harris was recently recognized by Information Security Magazine as one of the top 25 women technologists, researchers and executives reshaping information security today.



Shon Harris CISSP Training at TrainingPlanet.com

CISSP Online Training Shon Harris Videos & Exam Prep

CISSP - The Basics of Certified Information Systems Security Professional


CISSP Online Training Shon Harris Videos & Exam Prep



Shon Harris wrote probably the best single and definitive guide on CISSP common body of knowledge (the 10 domains) and if you do not study or do anything else, BUY Shon Harris' All In One CISSP Exam Guide (it's worth every penny!) Just be sure it's the most current edition!


The 10 CISSP Domains you will be tested on include:



-Information Security and Risk Management
-Access Control
-Cryptography
-Security Architecture and Design
-Telecommunications and Network Security
-Application Security
-Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
-Legal, Regulations, Compliance and Investigations
-Physical and Environmental Security
-Operations Security

 Outstanding CISSP training - what more could you ask for?!

I DO HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you buy at least the most current edition of Shon Harris' Book ALL-In-ONE CISSP Exam Guide and read it cover to cover.

It's a must read to prepare for the exam, and if you read it last, and do all of the exam questions and quick tip reviews found in the book, as well as the practice questions found on the CD, you will stand a better chance at passing the CISSP exam.

Microsoft Office 2010 Training and Certification Made Easy

Complete Interactive DVD-ROM Based Microsoft Office Training Packages


Take advantage of the incredible savings now!

Earning your Microsoft Office Specialist MOUS MOS certification (now MCAS) shows your current or future employer that you have the skills they need. These Microsoft Office Training CDs helps you get those skills--by reinforcing what you know, teaching you what you don't, and preparing you for all the questions you'll face on the exam. Affordable and comprehensive, our Microsoft Office Specialist training kit is the clear choice, and the only study resource you need to ready yourself to pass all the MOUS exams.

To earn the Microsoft Office Specialist certification for Microsoft Office, you must pass one or more certification exams. Office Specialist exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise by evaluating your overall comprehension of Office applications, your ability to use their advanced features, and your ability to integrate the Office applications with other software applications. Microsoft Office Specialist exams are developed and validated by industry experts and are available at over 9,000 Authorized Testing Centers worldwide.

"... courses, for example, offer excellent simulations of real environments and provide great opportunities to reinforce knowledge through task-based exercises. For many people, these courses provide an efficient and cost-effective way to acquire knowledge and skills."
MOUGSAC Reviews 11/05

CISSP Exam Study Guides Shon Harris Amazon Best Sellers

CISSP Exam Study Guides Shon Harris Amazon Best Sellers for CISSP Training

  






















If you need CISSP Training on Interactive DVD-ROM Video Training Planet has it!


If you need to take CISSP Training Boot Camp Class at a center nationwide from Training Camp, we have it!

CERTIFIED ETHICAL HACKER TRAINING CEH CERTIFICATION

Get certified in Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures (CURRENT V7 EXAM) using our Authorized EC-Council Training

Our training videos will show you how to scan, test, hack and secure your own systems. The intensive lab demonstrations give each student in-depth knowledge and practical experience with the current security system. You will begin by understanding how perimeter defenses work and then be lead into scanning and attacking your own networks. You will then learn how intruders escalate privileges and what steps can be taken to secure a system. Students will also learn about Intrusion Detection, Policy Creation, Social Engineering, DDoS Attacks, Buffer Overflows and Virus Creation.

Our DVD-ROM Boot Camp prepares you for EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (Self-paced Study) exam 312-50  and ECO-350.

Dod directive 8570.1 information assurance training certification and workforce management
The DoD now requires its computer network defenders (CNDs) pass Certified Ethical Hacker certification program from the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) to fulfill baseline skills.

For more info on our CERTIFIED ETHICAL HACKER TRAINING CEH CERTIFICATION COURSE

Webinar: Creating a Layered Security Strategy

Webinar: Creating a Layered Security Strategy



The tools that hackers have at their disposal are more numerous and sophisticated than ever. IT organizations need to better understand how to deploy layers of security in concert with one another in order to construct the best defense possible.


Check out Tech Security Today’s Jan. 26th webinar.

Training for CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional

Training for CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional by Shon Harris

Our E-learning curriculum is specifically designed with the busy professional in mind. All of our programs are produced using advanced learning concepts that encompass learning techniques that are designed for adult learning. E- learning is very popular today for a very good reason – It Works! People everywhere are discovering that they can fulfill their learning objectives conveniently (at their own pace, on their own time) and affordably (online classes start at a fraction of the cost of traditional classroom training).

If you plan to build a career in information security – one of today's most visible professions – and if you have at least five full years of experience in information security, then the CISSP ® credential should be your next career goal. It's the credential for professionals who develop policies and procedures in information security.


The CISSP was the first credential in the field of information security, accredited by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Standard 17024:2003. CISSP certification exam is not only an objective measure of excellence, but a globally recognized standard of achievement.


Training for CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Exam on interactive DVD-ROM by Shon Harris available at Training Planet

NEW VMware Training - the datacenter world is HOT

VMware:
The datacenter world is hot, so Training Planet is now offering VMware training! If you are looking for a VMware course packed with more information, the most hands-on labs, all with an affordable price tag, then you have landed at the right spot. If you have any questions about VMware training, or want to know where to get started, visit the links above for details on the training and contact info.

Top IT Certifications of 2011

An IT certification is one of the best and easiest ways of getting into the IT job market. Though there has been some decline in premium paid for IT certifications there are some specialities that still command good money. IT recruitment will definitely pick up next year. 


Here were the five of the hottest IT certifications for 2011.


Microsoft certified technology specialist MCTS Certification


Microsoft is still the most dominant player in the desktop market. In September 2010, NetMarketShare showed Windows at 91.08% of the global operating system market. Microsoft has seen a renewed interest in its new operating system Windows 7. In July, Windows 7 surpassed Windows vista in global usage and around 20% of Microsoft users have already shifted to Windows 7. Gartner Inc estimates that 250 million PC's will be migrated to windows 7 over the next few years and also predicted an acute shortfall in qualified IT staffers to handle Windows 7 migration. A MCTS program with a specialization in configuring and deploying Windows 7 can prepare you for these opportunities.




VMware Certified Professional 


Cloud is transforming IT. Virtualization technology is growing with most of the companies but lack of expertise in this field is a cause of worry for majority of them. "Cloud services have a huge potential and the demand for professionals will be equally high in the coming years" says Nitin Khanapurkar, executive director (advisory) KPMG, who works in the domain of cloud computing. Global cloud computing market is expected to be over $121.1 billion by 2015 growing at a CAGR of 26.2%.




Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)


IT security professionals had an extremely smooth sailing during the bad times. While IT budgets worldwide came down, companies fearing cyber attacks pushed IT security spending up during recession. The market is further expected to grow at over 12% YoY for next 3 years. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) has become one of the most important certifications as employers look this as a validation of candidate's skills for this profession.




Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification


The number of IT project management related job opportunities has been down lately but because of a restricted supply of the quality jobseekers, it is still a candidate driven market. With economy out of recession there will be a strong demand for candidates with awareness of formal tools and techniques of project management. CWJobs.co.uk, a UK job board specializing in IT recruitment has more than 420 IT project manager vacancies listed on their website currently.




Network + Certification


The only basic certification on our list, but still one of the most important. Every IT professional must know what drives an organization's IT infrastructure whether it's Linux, Apple or Windows.Network+ certifies networking technicians with knowledge in the networking domain. It has consistently been a high-in-demand certification in the networking sector. Totaljobs salary checker data shows a healthy increase in average IT Networking salaries ( http://www.totaljobs.com/salary-checker/average-it-networking-salary ) signifying a good demand for qualified professionals.

CompTIA A+ Certification Get Top Marks from Leading Technology School

Leading Technology School Gives Top Marks to CompTIA A+ 



Campus Ciudad de México (Mexico City) of the venerable Tecnológico de Monterrey multi-site university system has teamed with CompTIA to become the country’s first university CAPP-Academy, a move already paying dividends.


In 2011, the campus, ITESM-CCM, installed CompTIA A+ training and certification as part of the curriculum for all incoming freshmen within the technology school, regardless of their course of study.




Students are required to take the CompTIA A+ exam at the end of their semester-long course. Loyo, 35, said the chance for students at his campus to obtain internationally-recognized certifications at such an early stage of their academic careers will “increase their chances in the labor market.”


“I’m convinced that offering different certification training programs has an impact on the professional recognition for our students as they increase their skills,” he said. 


CompTIA A+ is well-known across the industry for its vendor-neutral approach to such foundation-level technical skills as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting.


 “To become CompTIA-certified means not to be married with some brand,” Loyo said, noting his site’s new training program “is designed to introduce students to issues of relevance, to innovate and collaborate with our country.” 




Karla Gamboa, 18, a Business Engineering and IT freshmen, is in preparations to take her CompTIA A+ exam, but can already cite tremendous benefits. “I believe that industry certifications will become more important with time because while more people get certified, the IT industry will become more competitive and capable of doing more things,” she said. “People will look to be more prepared by taking more certifications.”


Gamboa, who teaches private computer classes in the summer, credited the quality of the information provided in the CompTIA training course. “It is interactive, easy to read and understand and it is constantly testing you to see if the topic is fully understood,” she said, noting the ability to study at her own pace was also helpful.


Gamboa is mapping out her own certification path that will hopefully include CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+. Loyo recalled in his younger days querying instructors to satisfy his curiosity and build upon a burgeoning technical skill set.


A support technician at the age of 17, Loyo has worked at several IT firms and earned numerous certifications, including CompTIA A+ and Network+. He now considers it his greatest professional challenge to imbue in other students the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen professions. Accreditation, he believes, is a big part of that.


“Certifications allow us to demonstrate compliance with the requirements and skills needed internationally,” Loyo said. “Despite the high costs of certification exams, certifications mean better working conditions.”




“CompTIA is a worldwide industry that is recognized almost everywhere, so by having a certification approved by CompTIA you are demonstrating that you truly master the skills of that certification.”


The international recognition of CompTIA and its well-regarded industry standards is of keen significance to leaders of the private educational institution with an international presence in a dozen foreign countries.



My students were beating four-year college students for jobs. The big question was why. I started contacting companies and found out that certification carried a lot of weight.
 — Terry Hand
CIS Instructor, Ogeechee Technical College



Learn more about CompTIA A+ Certification

Which Certification is Right for You?

By Skill Level

---

Foundational: For students or workers new to IT - Great foundation course

• Micro 2000 PC Diagnostics: PC installation and maintenance and repair tools

Entry-Level: For those starting an IT career

• CompTIA A+: Preventative maintenance, basic networking, installation, troubleshooting and communication skills
• CompTIA PDI+: Basic electromechanical components and tools, print engine and scan processes, color theory and networking

Professional: For established IT workers

• CompTIA Network+: Managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, operating and configuring basic network infrastructure
• CompTIA Security+: System security, network infrastructure, cryptography, assessments and audits
• CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI: Linux installation, system architecture, GNU and UNIX commands, and user interfaces and desktops
• MCITP Server Administrator Windows Server: Building, maintaining and troubleshooting server software
• CompTIA Project+: Project management process, including initiation, planning, execution and support
• Micro 2000 PC Diagnostics: PC installation and maintenance and repair tools

Areas of Expertise

---

Hardware: How to set up, test, and troubleshoot office equipment.

• CompTIA A+: IT equipment
• Micro 2000 PC Diagnostics: PC installation and maintenance and repair tools
• MCITP Server Administrator Windows Server: Windows Server Admin
• CompTIA PDI+: Printing and document imaging equipment

Systems: How to integrate computers and secure communications in a business environment.

• CompTIA Network+: Network infrastructure and administration
• CompTIA Security+: IT system security
• CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI: Linux installation and management

Methodology: How traditional business roles benefit from technical knowledge

• CompTIA Project+: Project management

Crystal Reports 2008 Training Course the Easy Way

Crystal Reports 2008 Training Course

Receive a fundamental understanding of the concepts of Crystal Reports 2008 by learning to build reports, use formulas, build groups, work with records, and create charts. Follow Heather Peterson as she teaches you the functionality within this popular software.

The hands-on interactive labs will help you practice what you learn...with or without the application on your desktop.

2 levels - 62 modules - 6 learning hours

For more details on this interactive DVD-ROM Crystal Reports 2008 Training course

New IT Certification Offering from Cisco Systems

New IT Certification Offering from Cisco Systems


Cisco Systems has added a new certification in field support for their products. 


 This certification is to be a Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) to perform on site installation on maintenance of the products that they offer. There are three tracks that you can choose from when going for this certification: Routing & Switching, Data Center, and TelePresence, and there is a separate Cisco exam (priced at $125) for each track which you must pass to gain the CCT certification. Apparently, you must have the Routing & Switching certification before you can apply for either of the others, which means that if you want either of the other two, you will have to pay at least $250. This certification lasts for a total of 3 years and to get re-certified, you must pass one exam from the list given here. On most IT job sites, there are a quite a number of jobs available for those with Cisco Certifications, so if you are in this field, it might be a good bet.


If you need Cisco training, please visit http://www.trainingplanet.com

How long will my Microsoft certification be valid?

From the Microsoft Q&A Section of their site.

Q.  How long will my Microsoft certification be valid?

A.  Today, most of our Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) exams retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. The certification will still appear on your transcript but will be listed in an inactive section with an expiration date. In most cases, an upgrade path, which allows candidates to earn the certification with fewer exams (usually one), will be available for individuals who hold the certification on the previous version of the technology.

The legacy Microsoft certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), currently do not expire, but some may no longer be awarded because all exams are retired or because Microsoft has ended extended support for the technology. In most cases, individuals who hold the certification on the previous version of the technology can earn the certification on the next version of the technology with one upgrade exam.

To maintain the relevance and value of our certifications and ensure that candidates possess up-to-date skills on technologies that are constantly changing, recertification may be necessary for some certifications. In these cases, the certification will remain valid as long as the candidate continues to recertify at appropriate intervals.
Note that Microsoft reserves the right to retire exams and certifications as well as change our recertification policy at any time.

For more info on Microsoft Certification Training for MCITP visit Training Planet

Microsoft Project Training and MS Project Tutorials Courses Reviews

Microsoft Project Training and MS Project Tutorials and Courses

Effective Microsoft Project training and practical MS Project tutorials are critical for new project managers and advanced project managers to learn effective approaches to solving project management problems. 

Our line of Microsoft Project training includes MS Project tutorials that provide project managers with the training required to deliver a project on time and on budget.

Our Microsoft Project Training and MS Project tutorials focus on project management scheduling and effective lessons from experienced trainers with years of experience managing projects with Microsoft Project.  

For a detailed reviewed selection of

Microsoft Project Training and MS Project Tutorials and Courses

Want more cash in your pocket? Certification is it!

Want more cash in your pocket? Get certified!



All of us in the field have seen that pages and pages of job listings asking for all kinds of certifications with silly acronyms. Sometimes it seems almost impossible to find one that doesn’t require some kind of certification, which could make many people question why they went to college in the first place when these little certificates are all they needed. While this may seem like a pain, things will most likely stay this way for the foreseeable future, so it might be a good idea to jump on the bandwagon now.


According to some, it is not only a good idea to go ahead and get the certification you want for new jobs, but they are also leading to promotions and raises. In fact, a survey featured in a networkworld.com article asked 700 networking professionals whether a certification led to a raise, a promotion, a new job, or something else. 60.5% of professionals said their certifications got them a new job, 56.0% said that they got raise, 28.8% said that they got a promotion within their current company, and 10.8% said that they got some other type of reward for their certifications. Some certifications have been clearly shown to be more beneficial than others, such as the Cisco Certifications and some Microsoft Certifications.

Updated CompTIA Security+ Exam

CompTIA Security+ Certification Addresses Operational Risk

The latest version of CompTIA Security+ covers the skill sets needed to proactively address security risk control and mitigation. As part of the ISO/ANSI accreditation for CompTIA Security+, CompTIA updates most exams every three years and there was a lot of new information to cover. The exam is for an IT security professional with experience in IT administration with a focus on security, day to day technical information security experience, and broad knowledge of security concerns and implementation.

http://www.trainingplanet.com/

CompTIA Strata Certification Training Course

CompTIA's Strata certification program offers fundamental to advanced certificates that validate a wide range of subjects in information technology (IT). Students and professionals holding a Strata certificate demonstrate that they have the knowledge required to enter and excel in IT and technology-related fields. Strata exams validate knowledge in several IT subjects, including Green IT, Technical Sales and PC concepts.

The CompTIA Strata IT for Sales exam is designed to show that the successful candidate has the knowledge to effectively engage a customer, identify types of technology users, coordinate with technical staff, ensure customer satisfaction, and provide appropriate solutions based on customer requirements - including Green IT and preventative maintenance.

The Strata IT for Sales certificate is ideal for students or individuals entering a sales career as well as seasoned sales professionals new to selling technology products and solutions.

CompTIA's Strata Green IT certificate is designed to enhance an IT professional's experience, knowledge, and existing IT credentials to incorporate emerging technologies shaping the global green IT industry today. IT professionals that pass the Green IT exam validate that they have the aptitude needed to effectively implement and measure green IT programs and investments, including:

- A specialized knowledge of current IT methodologies
- The ability to develop, deploy, and calculate true ROI for green IT initiatives
- Knowledge of cost-cutting power management and IT virtualization techniques
- Proven understanding of environmentally-sound waste disposal
- An awareness of global organizations mandating standards and regulations

The Strata Green IT certificate is ideal for IT professionals who have decision making authority over a company's IT infrastructure or work in implementing green IT initiatives such as an IT manager, data center or facilities / operations manager, IT technician, and system or network administrator.

CompTIA Strata Course Curriculum.

Course Overview

Introduction
What is CompTIA Strata

The Visual PC and How it Works
Visual PC Overview and Motherboard Component Identification
Individual Component Identification and Lap Tops
Component Identification Exam
The Logical Flow Of Data

The Operating System
Introduction
Functions Of the Operating System

Windows Basic Training
Introduction
Windows Desktop and My Computer
Configuring Appearance and Selecting Files and Folders
Control Panel, Accessibility Options, System Applet

Backing UP and Backing UP
Introduction
Back up Solutions and Policies
Viruses

Printers
Types of Printers
Laser Printers and The Printer Interface

Video and Audio
Introduction
Types of Monitors
Video Cards and Sound Cards

The CPU and RAM
Introduction
CPU Central Processing Unit
RAM Random Access Memory

Storage
Introduction
Storage Devices

Networking
Introduction
OSI Model
Network Hardware
Network Software
IPV4 and IPV6

Green IT
Introduction
Electrical Safety and green IT
Disposal of Computer Equipment

IT Sales
Introduction
Ethics and The Sales Process
Sales Terminology,Finding Customers and Customer Commitment
Course Outro

More details to come shortly

Hot IT Jobs New IT Jobs

Are you interested in an IT job? Are you looking for something fresh and exciting? There is no better time than now to be in the job market.


According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, IT positions have seen a month over month increase since January 2011. In short, this means that new positions are being created on a regular basis.


Below are three of the hottest new jobs in the IT sector:


Business Architect


Remember the days when IT was separated from business? That trend has come and gone. In today’s world, companies realize that technology is an important part of achieving results.


To help bring together IT and business, a new position has emerged – business architect.


As a business architect you will report to the CEO or another high level manager. Your job is to choose and implement technology that will best suit the company. In short, you will “mesh” your business and IT skills – imagine an MBA student with an IT concentration.






Social Media Architect


From small businesses to large corporations, social media has never been more popular. As social media continues to grow, companies need a dedicated professional to harness the power.


In addition to well known social media websites, such as Twitter and Facebook, there are other aspects to consider. For example, many companies have begun to offer social medial tools to help others spread the word about their organization.


Social media architects are often times referred to as “social media managers” and “social media strategists.” Regardless, those in this role are responsible for focusing on all social media efforts.


Mobile Technology Expert


The IT world has been turned upside down by mobile technology. From mobile apps to mobile strategies to security, those in this field have their hands full.


Companies with a mobile technology expert on hand are finding it easier to adapt and change with the times.


Organizations that are serious about developing mobile technology or making it simple for employees to take advantage of this trend have found that hiring a mobile technology is a must.


These individuals are hired for a variety of tasks including but not limited to: implementing mobile technology, developing mobile apps, and troubleshooting mobile related issues.


In the months to come, IT professionals can expect to see an increased interest in these positions. If your skills match one of the opportunities above, now may be the time to change career paths.


If you are looking to change careers make sure you check out the IT certifications offered by Training Planet. They are the perfect compliment to real world experience and traditional education!

Value of Certifications - Testimonial quotes

"Certifications like CompTIA A+ are a very good way of ensuring everyone reaches a common level of understanding. It allows us to set a course benchmark from which everyone can proceed with their learning."


 "These qualifications have already helped me do my job more effectively. Weekly IT review meetings used to be a real challenge for me, but now I have the confidence to talk with authority and provide suggestions backed up with real technical understanding."


 "At the end of the day, it all boils down to certification being an internationally recognized credential. If you can put that on your resume, you'll have a competitive advantage over another individual who doesn't have it."


 "If they haven't completed the CompTIA A+ certification, I don't think they have that base knowledge."

 "Passing the exam made it possible for me to earn 17 college credits. That enabled me to take advanced courses in college much sooner, which reduced the time it took to graduate by one and a half semesters. I saved over $3,000 in tuition and books."


 "Having certifications under my belt made all the difference - I beat people with 10-15 years experience."




 "I like designing ways to let the right people in and keep the wrong people out. The work now is very different than when I started; it's a lot more about server security than safes and CCTV. But with CompTIA A+ behind me, I know I've got the skills and employers can see that too."




 "My students were beating four-year college students for jobs. The big question was why. I started contacting companies and found out that certification carried a lot of weight."




 "Certification was very heavily emphasized for the whole organization. It was required to maintain employment and to move up the career ladder."

Mobile devices a growing target for criminals

Many IT departments face significant problems with smartphones and other mobile devices, as well as mobile apps that expose sensitive data

The best way to protect business information on smartphones from cybercriminals is to leave that information off smartphones, one mobile security expert said Thursday.

Mobile security is still evolving, and smartphones are vulnerable to hackers and to social engineering schemes, said Andrew Hoog, chief investigative officer at viaForensics, a security vendor. Cybercriminals are starting to target smartphones, Hoog said at a cybersecurity summit in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

Mobile devices combine personal information and corporate information.
ViaForensics recently completed a review of 100 popular mobile applications. Eighty-three percent of those apps either warranted a security warning from the company or failed the company's basic security tests, meaning they stored sensitive data insecurely, he said. The company gave warnings to apps that store app data in an unencrypted form. Ten percent of the apps tested stored passwords in plain text, and 25 percent of the financial apps failed the company's tests.

CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician certificate exam

CompTIA Introduces Healthcare IT Technician Certificate

New credential focuses on tech skills and healthcare knowledge; more than 80 community colleges now offering instruction on HIT careers

Downers Grove, Ill., July 25, 2011 – A new professional credential aimed at information technology (IT) professionals who install, manage and troubleshoot electronic health records systems for the nation’s healthcare providers is now available from CompTIA, the non-profit trade association for the IT industry.

The CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician certificate is a vendor- and technology-neutral credential that validates the operational, regulatory and security knowledge necessary to provide hardware and software support in medical environments where electronic health record (EHR) systems are used.

“The federal government estimates that upwards of 50,000 new healthcare IT professionals are needed in the next few years to service the thousands of healthcare practices expected to implement EHR systems,” said Terry Erdle, executive vice president, skills certification, CompTIA.

“These new employment opportunities will be hybrid jobs requiring a mix of healthcare knowledge and high-tech expertise,” Erdle continued. “The CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician credential covers both categories and will identify professionals with the knowledge and skills required to support the implementation and maintenance of healthcare IT systems, including EHRs, in a broad range of clinical settings.”

The CompTIA Healthcare IT certificate closely maps to two job roles for skilled health IT specialists identified by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT as being critical in helping healthcare providers transition to EHRs. These job roles are implementation support specialists and technical and software support staff.

CompTIA recommends that individuals interested in the healthcare IT certificate also hold CompTIA A+ certification, which validates foundation-level knowledge and skills for PC support, installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting.

The CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician certificate exam covers the following areas:

• Regulatory requirements 
• Organizational behavior 
• IT operations 
• Medical business operations 
• Security

Complete exam objectives are available on the CompTIA certification web site. Exam vouchers are available in North America through the CompTIA Marketplace. The exam is available at Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers.

Training for the CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician certificate exam will be available shortly from TrainingPlanet.com

Training Programs on Healthcare IT and Unified Communications

Downers Grove, Ill., Aug. 22, 2011 – Training programs designed to help information technology (IT) companies broaden their business skills and knowledge in the emerging areas of healthcare IT and unified communications are available in the coming weeks from CompTIA, the non-profit association for the IT industry.

CompTIA announced today that live training sessions will be offered in Los Angeles and Chicago, including at the upcoming Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Tech Data Channel Link conference. 

On Aug. 24 during the Channel Partners Conference & Expo CompTIA will offer a unified communications training workshop led by Joe Schurman, founder and chief executive officer of Evangelyze Communications. 

The session will explore the scope of unified communications, including the technology’s benefits in employee productivity and workgroup collaboration, as well as how it can enhance and integrate business processes. Participants will examine key components in the sales process, such as identifying end-user “pain points”; develop solutions to address such pain points; discuss the benefits and challenges of unified communications solutions; and identify the best market and segment opportunities.

The one-day unified communications training program will also be offered on Oct. 28 at CompTIA headquarters in Downers Grove, Ill., in suburban Chicago.

CompTIA will offer a “Quick Start” session on healthcare IT during Tech Data’s Channel Link event in Los Angeles. The healthcare IT session is scheduled for Sept. 15 and 16 and will be led by Patrick Wilson, chief executive officer of Vital Signs Technology.

Wilson will discuss the business case for developing a healthcare IT practice, as well as the best practices and steps required to make it a profitable effort. Session attendees will receive the CompTIA Healthcare IT Quick Start Guide.

Wilson will lead a one-day fast-track course on healthcare IT at CompTIA headquarters in suburban Chicago on Sept. 30. The course is designed to help technology solution providers identify the tools and knowledge needed to run a successful healthcare IT practice.

The training programs on unified communications and healthcare IT are part of CompTIA’s commitment to provide educational resources and tools to help IT companies grow and prosper. CompTIA will spend more than $4 million in 2011 on education, training, events and research projects.

All CompTIA members have full access to the complete portfolio of CompTIA educational offerings through the CompTIA Member Resource Center. Non-members can visit CompTIA Education to download free offerings, find CompTIA workshop dates and learn more about the benefits of membership.

Channel education and training is among a number of CompTIA initiatives CompTIA in the areas of healthcare IT and unified communications.

For individual IT workers and their employers, CompTIA offers the following professional credentials:

• CompTIA Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP+) certification, a professional credential that validates knowledge and skills to sell and service components of data, voice and multimedia convergence technologies.

• CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician certificate, which covers the knowledge and skills required to implement, deploy and support healthcare IT systems in various clinical settings.

Training Planet will be offering these training programs shortly.