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Association for Women in Computing IT Certifications that Matter November 18, 2009

Dennis Fehrenbach, PMP

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Dennis Fehrenbach

has been an Operations Manager and a Project Manager for Northrop Grumman for the past seven years. He is responsible for several DOD tactical command and control systems and services contracts starting. He has managed the planning and execution of program and project schedules; tracking and delivering contract requirements; monitoring funding, personnel, and equipment; and managing project risks.

He retired from the military in 2002, with the last assignment as the Deputy Commander for an 1100 person engineer unit at Fort Lewis. He managed the operations, logistical, and fiscal programs in support of missions and construction projects.

Previous assignments included serving as the Public Works Director for two military installations in Germany, and the Deputy Commander, U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Huntington, WV. Dennis is a graduate of Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, with a BS Industrial Education. He is PMI PMP certified, and currently serves as the Vice President (Elect) for the PMI Puget Sound Chapter Certification Committee. Hobbies include volunteering at the Graham South Hill Food Bank and the SEATAC Airport and McChord Air Force Base United Service Organization (USO); supporting service men and women and families during deployments and travel.

Joseph G. Johnson II Enterprise Strategy Architect Microsoft Enterprise Services

 Joseph has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. After working 25 years in the computer field, Joseph has spent the past 13 years at Microsoft working in its Enterprise Services business functioning in several different roles, with his most recent role as an Enterprise Strategy Architect. While in this role he has been a Trusted Advisor to some of Microsoft’s largest business customer’s developing and architecting for them cost effective business computing solutions.

Mara Krieps, CPM, Principal, Pivotal Product Management

      With more than 20 years’ experience in product management and marketing strategy, planning and execution in technology and other industries, Mara is the 2006 recipient of AIPMM’s “Excellence in Product Management Training” award for her work with Pivotal Product Management (http://www.pivotalpm.com/), and in 2009 she was named by the Puget Sound Business Journal’s TechFlash as one of the “Top 100 Women in Seattle Tech”. In her role as facilitator for the Seattle-based Product Management Consortium (http://www.pmcnw.org/index.php), Mara helps local product managers build their skills and professional networks, leading to more than a tenfold increase in program attendance. She also serves as an advisory board member for the University of Washington Certificate Program in Software Product Management, and has developed and delivered courses on Product Management and Database Marketing for the University of Washington’s Extension program. Previously she was Director of Product Management at Concur Technologies, and she has held senior Product Management and Marketing Management roles for technology firms SmartContractor, BSQUARE and Captura Software. Before that she served in senior Corporate and Field Marketing Management roles at Eddie Bauer, ADVO and Egghead Software. Mara is a certified Innovation Games® Facilitator and a Certified Product Manager. She holds a Masters Degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mara Krieps Principal, Pivotal Product Management 14103 NE 78th St. Redmond, WA 98052 www.pivotalpm.com

, phone 425-891-6272, fax 978-418-7728, [email protected] Client list and references available on request; also see LinkedIn profile for recommendations: http://www.linkedin.com/in/marakrieps.

Steve Hailey - President/CEO CyberSecurity Institute, Digital Forensic Examiner and Educator [email protected]

    Steve Hailey is an Information Technology veteran of twenty-six years, with nineteen years experience developing and delivering technical training. After ten years of experience with "data recovery" in both the public and private sectors, Steve began conducting forensic analysis professionally in 1997. He is a highly skilled expert witness and dynamic instructor, bringing to bear his combined skills in forensic analysis and computing technology. He currently instructs the information security and digital forensics curriculum at Edmonds Community College in Washington State, where he chairs the Digital Forensics Committee. Steve has performed work and conducted training in the fields of computer networking, information security, and digital forensics for two Fortune 50 companies, several law firms, the federal government, various law enforcement agencies, and several colleges throughout the Pacific Northwest. He is actively involved with developing and delivering training in computer forensics to members of city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, and has been training military personnel performing forensic analysis in the Mideast since 2005. Steve is an instructor and Subject Matter Expert for the Cyberterrorism Defense Initiative program for the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, and has also provided course development services as a Subject Matter Expert for the course titled “Cyberterrorism First Responder,” for the Criminal Justice Institute, University of Arkansas. Working with Mike Andrew, Steve developed the CLE course “Computer Forensics For Attorneys” which was recently instructed for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.

He has authored certification practice tests for several vendors and is also a Subject Matter Expert for Comptia's Security+. Steve has processed digital forensic cases ranging from inappropriate resource use and network intrusions to cases involving identity theft, credit card fraud, child pornography and money laundering. He is creator of the CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst (CSFA)™ certification, as well as the author of several computer forensics/forensic computing course books. Steve is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), an AccessData Certified Examiner, a Digital Forensic Certified Practitioner, and he possesses a certificate in computer forensics from Oregon State University. In addition to these credentials, Steve has over twenty other technical certifications. He is the founder and President of the Washington State High Technology Crime Investigation Association, and was formerly on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Computer Forensic Professionals. His other affiliations include The Agora, InfraGard, and the High Tech Crime Consortium. Steve has been featured on television, radio, and has authored several articles related to digital forensics and information security.

Scott Gillins, Network Consulting Engineer (NCE), Cisco Systems

 Scott has been working for Cisco for the last 3 years and has been involved in computer networking for 15+ years. Scott enjoys networking so much that he considers it his job, hobby, and passion. He has been involved in many types of networks spanning many different industries including education, retail, and consulting.

Scott’s current job as an NCE is as a post sales support role in the organization: he is engaged after a technology sale has been completed to make sure the customer is successful in their deployment of the technology. When he is not knee-deep in networks, he enjoys spending time with his family consisting of 1 wife, 1 daughter, 1 son, 1 dog, and 2 cats. They enjoy their time watching movies, riding scooters, and playing fetch.

Scott’s biggest realization, after moving to the area 9 years ago, is that the IT community in the Puget Sound is very small compared to the amount of technology that comes out of the area. He hopes that if you continue your journey in this area for long enough that you will also get a chance to make the same realization and work with many of the great people that he has come across in his journey. Scott can be reached at [email protected]

for any questions or comments.

Robin L. Borough EVP, Omnikron Systems Inc.

        Robin Borough is a nationally recognized Career Strategist. Advisor to technology professionals and executives for over 20 years, Robin’s built a world-class reputation as the “go to” career strategist in the IT industry. Robin serves as executive vice president for Omnikron Systems, Inc., one of the industry’s fastest growing consulting and training firms. She is the founding director of the Convergence Technology Council (CTC), a collaborative forum for IT professionals, businesses and industry leaders. As a corporate counselor Robin is known for her ability to help companies develop winning IT teams. She’s worked with scores of Fortune 1000 companies, as well as countless medium-sized businesses and start-ups to meet critical human resource needs. Corporate clients include Verizon, NEC, Fox, Universal, Creative Artists, Technicolor, Amgen, BMC Software and many others.

For More Information regarding ITIL Training and Certification,

call

Robin Borough

(818)-223-4115

or email

[email protected]

Also, join “American ITIL” a hot ITIL group in LinkedIn For More Information on the ICCP, go to: www.iccp.org

Blog for ICCP Professionals: www.cdmpcommunity.blogspot.com

CONTACT INFO: Robin Borough, 818-223-4115, [email protected]

Ravila Helen White Information Security Strategist Business Model Inc.

   Ravila is currently studying the affect business modeling has on the fields of Information Assurance, Cloud Computing and Web 2.0. Prior to that, she headed up the information security programs for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and drugstore.com. Ravila has more than 15 years of professional Information Technology experience, with experience as a strategist, an auditor and a front line information assurance practitioner.

Ravila is a strong advocate in influencing organizations to choose to do the right things, through her philosophy of ‘making it better without making it complex.’ Ravila is a CISSP, CISM, CISA and GCIH. She regularly presents at local events on information assurance issues and has been published on a national and global level. She is also a member of the PacCISO and Agora.

Eva Smith, CCP, CDMP Edmonds Community College

 Eva Smith, CCP, CDMP, has been a full-time faculty member at Edmonds Community College since 2001. Prior to this, she enjoyed a professional career of over twenty years in a variety of IT and management positions, including systems development, data management, business analysis, project management and IT strategic planning consulting. In her teaching and advising roles, she routinely works with job changers, IT professionals and college students to develop personal career plans. Working with an industry advisory board, she implemented advanced certificate programs in Database Information Technologies (DBTech) and Business Systems Analysis (BSA) at Edmonds CC. She is also an adjunct lecturer for the I.T. and Administration Management (ITAM) bachelors degree program at Central Washington University.  Eva earned a Master of Science in Information Management from the University of Washington iSchool. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP). She is an active member of the Data Management Association (DAMA-I) where she serves on the DAMA-I Education Committee and exam development committee for the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) certification. She was also instrumental in publishing the DAMA Data Management Body of Knowledge (DAMA-DMBOK) and the DAMA-I Curriculum Framework. In 2009 she was recipient of the DAMA International Education Award for contributions to the profession of data management.

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Antje Koenig, Special Projects WorkSource Seattle-King County

Antje Koenig

is staff lead on special projects for WorkSource Seattle-King County, the local system of employment centers. WorkSource is a partnership of many different community-based organizations, government agencies, colleges and others who work together to meet the needs of jobseekers and businesses. Antje’s work for WorkSource Seattle-King County during the past four years has included business outreach to employers and matching qualified job seekers with available jobs. In her current job, Antje represents WorkSource in the community, sharing information about services such as the federally funded Dislocated Worker Program. Antje’s background includes almost 20 years of experience in product marketing and business which has given her a unique perspective on what is important from an employer point of view and how to effectively market skills and abilities during the job search.

Antje graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Michigan and speaks 4 languages. Her passion, in addition to languages and diverse cultures, is reaching out to help people while using the unique skills she has honed over her working career. Antje Koenig, Special Projects, WorkSource Seattle-King County (http://www.worksourceskc.org/defaultnew.asp), 206-205-3591,

[email protected]

Margret Graham, Project Manager/Communications, Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (http://www.seakingwdc.org/), (206) 448-0474, ext. 3029

Perspective from “Certifiers”

 What certifications are available in this area?

 Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

 Are there educational prerequisites?

 What is the cost? How long is the certification good for? How long does it take to get certified?

 What skills do you have at the end the end of the program?

 All certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

Project Management

What certifications are available in this area?

 The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides the certifications shown below.   The two most common PMI certifications are the Project Management Professional (PMP ®) and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®). These are the two which I will focus on for the remainder of the questions. Information on the remainder of the certifications is available on the PMI website at: http://www.pmi.org/CareerDevelopment.

Project Management Institute certifications include:    - Program Management Professional (PgMP) - Project Management Professional (PMP) - Certified Associate Project Management (CAPM)    - Risk Management Professional (RMP) - Schedule Professional (SP) All certifications require registration on-line with PMI and a review of an individual’s packet, prior to being eligible to take the certification examination.

Project Management

Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

   The PMP and CAPM Certification examinations are given at the Prometric testing centers throughout the region. The tests are given on line or in paper. The on-line tests are the most common and have the advantage of knowing the outcome before you depart the test center. Prior to taking the exam, many personnel take a PMP® and CAPM® Certification prep course or commonly called a PMP® Boot Camp course. The cost varies with the number of hours provided by a vendor. The PMI Puget Sound Chapter offers a PMP® / CAPM® Certification Orientation course during the Fall and Spring. The Spring Course will begin mid-March and is conducted on six consecutive Saturdays. The 35 hours for the course can be used for the 35 hours of project management education. The cost of the course for PMI Puget Sound Chapter members is $950 for early registration and $1050 for PMI Puget Sound Chapter member regular registration period. Additional information is available on the PMI Puget Sound Chapter website at: http://www.pugetsoundpmi.org/certification_pdus.cfm.

Project Management

Are there educational prerequisites?

 The PMP and CAPM test requirements:

Project Management

What is the cost? How long is the certification good for? How long does it take to get certified?

 Cost for the exam is $405 for the PMP® Certification exam and $225 for the CAPM® Certification exam. It normally takes a few weeks to register for the exam, document the project management hours, and identify a person which can verify the application information if PMI audits the application. The processing of an application normally takes 5 days. After PMI approval, an individual schedules a time to take the certification exam with a Prometric test facility.

Project Management What skills do you have at the end of the program?

 The PMP® and CAPM® certification is intended for personnel who work on and lead project management teams. The preparation and certification provides a global standard across industries to apply projects.

Project Management

All certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

 The PMP® and CAPM® are common certifications which employers desire or in the government contracting, the PMP® is becoming a requirement on projects. The PMP® is becoming desired or in some organizations, a requirement for project management offices and project management positions.

Microsoft What certifications are available in this area?

 Several and they include: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), Microsoft Certified Master (MCM), and Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) (Infrastructure, Solutions, and Technology)

Microsoft Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

 

All Microsoft Certified exams are administered by Prometric, an independent testing organization with more than 3,000 locations worldwide.

Prometric.

Microsoft Are there educational prerequisites?



This varies by the program.

Microsoft

What is the cost? How long is the certification good for? How long does it take to get certified?

  This varies by the program and the number of courses required for that program. Course prices range from $395 up to $1,595.

This also varies by course and product release by Microsoft, but typically 3 to 4 years. Microsoft does have update courses to help keep the student up to date. The amount of time it takes to obtain a certificate depends upon the program that you are studying for and how aggressively you want to complete the program.

Microsoft

 

What skills do you have at the end of the program?

This depends upon the program, and is specific to the courses you took. For instance, you may have taken courses to become a Messaging Master in which case you can build and support Exchange systems.

Microsoft

 

All certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

No. The more courses you take and become certified on, the more valuable of an employee you will be.

Product Management What certifications are available in this area?

 AIPMM awards certifications in Product Management (CPM) and Product Marketing (CPMM). A dual CPM/CPMM Certification also is available.

Product Management

Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

 CPM and CPMM Certification testing is available locally through Pivotal Product Management, an authorized Testing Partner for AIPMM. The test is written and takes approximately four hours to complete. For those who have participated in a Certification Review course, an online version of the test also is available. More information is available at www.pivotalpm.com

and at www.aipmm.com

Product Management

Are there educational prerequisites?

 No, but a product manager or product marketer should have at least three years’ experience before sitting for the certification exam, because it tests on actual work experience as well as knowledge of concepts. A prep course is helpful. At minimum, one should review the AIPMM Certification Glossary to determine readiness for the exam. The Glossary and a study guide are available by emailing [email protected]

Product Management What is the cost? How long is the certification good for? How long does it take to get certified?

 The exam is $395 for a single certification and $495 for a dual (CPM/CPMM) certification. Additionally, one must be a member of AIPMM ($125 per year). The certification does not need to be renewed.

Product Management What skills do you have at the end of the program?

 This is not a skill building program; it’s a professional credential.

Product Management All certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

 The CPM and CPMM certifications are increasingly sought after by employers as a good benchmark of professional capability.

IT Security

What certifications are available in this area?

 There are many certifications available for information security and digital forensics. The certifications that the Edmonds programs help the student prepare for are as follows:   ACE - Accessdata Certified Examiner CSFA - CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst      Security+ Associate of (ISC)2 SSCP® - Systems Security Certified Practitioner CISSP® - Certified Information Systems Security Professional I have also offered the Certified Ethical Hacker training a few times and plan to do this on a more regular basis in the future. As well, we are working on curriculum to add material necessary to prepare students for the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

IT Security

Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

 ACE - Accessdata Certified Examiner: Online  CSFA - CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst: Edmonds Community College     Security+: Prometric testing centers Associate of (ISC)2: Various locations as scheduled by the (ISC)2 SSCP® - Systems Security Certified Practitioner: Various locations as scheduled by the (ISC)2 CISSP® - Certified Information Systems Security Professional: Various locations as scheduled by the (ISC)2

IT Security

Are there educational prerequisites?

 ACE - Accessdata Certified Examiner: Knowledge of how to use Accessdata’s forensic software tools to perform forensic analysis.

     CSFA - CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst: Several years experience conducting forensic examinations, or formal training in conducting forensic examinations and submitting comprehensive forensic analysis reports.

Security+: An entry-level course of study in information security, or practical work experience.

Associate of (ISC)2: Formal education in information security or work experience SSCP® - Systems Security Certified Practitioner: One year of practical experience.

CISSP® - Certified Information Systems Security Professional: Five years of practical experience.

IT Security

What is the cost? How long is the certification good for? How long does it take to get certified?

 ACE - Accessdata Certified Examiner    A. No cost for the exam. EdCC CIS 273/CIS293 classes will prepare the student.

B. Lifetime as long as yearly education requirements are met.

C. A few weeks of study.

 CSFA - CyberSecurity Forensic Analyst    A. $400. Free to EdCC students or students of CyberSecurity Institute. EdCC Digital Forensics Certificate program will prepare the student. Cost would be around $2400 for the 20 credits.

B. Three years, the re-certify.

C. 9 months on the average.

    Security+:  A. Around $200 for the test. EdCC Network Security Certificate would more than prepare the student. Around 4500.00 for the program.

  B. Lifetime C. Depends on the student – some are ready after one or two classes.

Associate of (ISC)2:  A. $420 for the test. My recommendation to prepare is a course of study equivalent to the EdCC Network Security Certificate, wish would cost around $4500  B. 2 years if working towards the SSCP, 6 years if working towards the CISSP.

 C. Minimum of one year as a part time student.

SSCP® - Systems Security Certified Practitioner:   A. $420 for the test. My recommendation to prepare is a course of study equivalent to the EdCC Network Security Certificate, wish would cost around $4500 B. Lifetime –yearly CPE requirements  C. Minimum of one year as a part time student, volunteer or paid work performing information security related duties.

CISSP® - Certified Information Systems Security Professional:   A. $550 for the test. B. Lifetime – yearly CPE requirements  C. Minimum five years work experience.

IT Security

What skills do you have at the end of the program?

  Information Security and Digital Forensics ATA  Conduct information security audits, develop business continuity plans, and perform various technical roles such as vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and incident response. As well, the student will have the skills needed to establish information security and acceptable use policies within an organization. Also , the student will have the ability to perform a comprehensive digital forensic examination from start to finish.

Network Security Certificate   Perform various technical roles such as vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and incident response. As well, the student will be able to conduct a comprehensive digital forensic examination from start to finish.

Digital Forensic Certificate  Conduct a comprehensive digital forensic examination from start to finish.

IT Security

All certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

  The CISSP is one of the most sought out certifications for the information security field, but I also like to see someone who has the Certified Ethical Hacker, or one of the lesser known certifications for penetration testing. This shows me they have developed skills in both the administrative and technical side of things. My company will hire people with formal training in conducting vulnerability and penetration tests from an accredited institution without the certifications. The certs are a big plus though.

As far as digital forensics goes, being able to show formal training is a must – formal training qualifies the individual to meet the definition of an expert in case testimony is required.

Cisco/Networking What certifications are available in this area?

 There are 5 levels: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert and Architect covering 7 different paths. The paths include routing and switching, design, service provider, security, voice, storage, and wireless.

Cisco/Networking Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

 The written part of the tests are proctored by Pearson Vue using a computer testing system at their location. The lab portion of the CCIE is given onsite at one of several Cisco locations.

Cisco/Networking Are there educational prerequisites?

 None of the tests have educational prerequisites but some may require completing one test before moving on to the second part of the certification. Gaining the knowledge to pass the exams can come from classes, books, and knowledge that you will acquire in your jobs.

Cisco/Networking

What is the cost? How long is the certification good for? How long does it take to get certified?

 The costs for the tests are $125 for basic test to $350 for the advanced tests and $1800 for the CCIE lab test. Tests are valid for 18 months. The length it takes to get a certification is dependent on the person. There is no set learning path required just passing the test. So once you have absorbed the information either by on the job training, classes or reading, and can pass the test you are done.

Cisco/Networking What skills do you have at the end of the program?

 The skills you will have will depend on what technology path you choose to go down. The level of the skill will depend on what level you are testing at. Cisco currently has 7 paths including routing and switching, design, service provider, security, voice, storage, and wireless.

Cisco/Networking

All certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

 The certifications are not all equal nor were they designed to be. The time required to gain the knowledge is respective of the skill you will have when you are complete. The CCIE certification has been the golden key in the industry for some time, but you have to remember that this is a top shelf certification requiring the most work to achieve in order to get that great value. The CCIE is the most valued certification but if employer only needs entry level skills a person with a CCIE would most likely be over looked due to the cost of retaining that kind of value. You will need to pick a goal to achieve that will allow you to balance your current technical skills, your desired technical skills, and the type of job that you would find the most satisfying.

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

What certifications are available in this area?

  ITIL v3 Foundations = 2 Pts ITIL v3 Expert = 22 Pts – using a combination of these classes            

Lifecycle Modules Include

SS - Service Strategy = 3 Pts SD - Service Design = 3 Pts ST - Service Transition = 3 Pts SO - Service Operations = 3 Pts CSI - Continual Service Improvements = 3 Pts

Capability Modules Include

OSA - Operational Support & Analysis = 4 Pts PPO - Planning, Protection & Optimization = 4 Pts SOA - Service Offerings & Agreements = 4 Pts RCV – Release, Control & Validation = 4 Pts

Managing Across the Lifecycle (MALC) = 5 Pts

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Possible Selection Options to achieve ITIL Expert Certification V3 FND Figure - V3 Module Combinations V3 Capability Stream Candidates with no prior ITIL certification Option A Option B Option C Option D Option E Option F 2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4 4 - - 4 4 4 4 - 4 - 4 4 4 4 - - 4 4 3 - - - - - - 3 3 V3 Lifecycle Stream 3 3 3 3 - - 3 3 3 - - 3 3 3 3 3 Capstone 5 5 5 5 5 5 23 22 24 25 25 24

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

 Testing is done either on-line by going to a certified testing center, approved to deliver the ITIL Exams, or via paper exams with a valid proctor. Getting a proctor is simple, you just have a chosen proctor fill out a brief NDA and they must sign that they will follow the Proctor Rules.

 The large examining bodies are CSME, EXIN and Loyalist. You don’t pick this however, it is usually pre-arranged with the courseware provider. The training company will supply you with courseware and test vouchers or paper exams.

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Are there educational prerequisites?

  There are no educational prerequisites to take ITIL Foundations. However, you must pass the Foundations course in order to be eligible to take the intermediate courses.

You must have 17 points gathered before taking Managing Across the Lifecycle.

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

What is the cost? How long does it take to get certified?

 Costs for the Foundations class range from $300 for complete self-study to $1300 if you are in a 3-day class.     Omnikron has this class available in an e-Learning format for $595, which includes testing software and the exam voucher.

Getting to ITIL Expert can cost up to $15,000.

 

How long is the certification good for?

There is an older Version 2 which is retiring starting mid-2010. If anyone is V2 and would like to take some bridge classes, here’s the schedule: Version 3 does not have an end date. It’s pretty new in the market, released in 2007 and now just beginning to pick up speed.



How long does it take to get certified?

Foundations is usually covered in 3 days or our eLearning program consists of 16 hours of instruction.

 The intermediate classes, which we offer virtually, range from 3 to 5 days.

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

What skills do you have at the end of the program?

 You’ll have learned the ITIL framework which is becoming a de facto standard in the IT industry. The larger companies and the government are standardizing on this. Smaller companies, less than $500 million, have not really adopted ITIL yet.

 Students immersing themselves in ITIL will have learned process improvement, and how to run IT like a business (Strategy, Design, Transition, Operations and Continual Service Improvement).

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Are all certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

   The ITIL certification is becoming a hiring criterion, similar to the weight of holding a PMP. Foundations is an easy basic to get through – if a person is in IT, they should at least get this.

Having the intermediate classes increases your value significantly in the market.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

What certifications are available in this area?

 Background: There are different types of certifications in our IT profession:    *Education-based certification is a training program that leads to some sort of certification of completion, often involving different assessment methods. These are typically offered by colleges or training companies; *Vendor-based certification is based around a product or suite of products (e.g., Microsoft or CISCO certifications); *Vendor-neutral professional certifications demonstrate overall knowledge of fundamental concepts and principles, but do not focus on a specific product. Examples are COMPTIA's A+ or Network+, Certified Information Security Professional (CISP), and ICCP's Certified Computing Professional (CCP).    Similar to CompTIA, the ICCP offers professional certifications that are vendor-neutral. However, unlike CompTIA (which is a commercial entity), the ICCP is a consortium of professional associations that has been in existence since the 1970's as a neutral non-profit certifying body for I.T. professional certification. Its constituent societies include AWC, AITP, ACM, DAMA-I, and CIPS, with many more associate member societies in the U.S. and abroad. The ICCP develops and administers exams for the general Certified Computing Professional (CCP) credential and Associate Computing Professional (ACP) certifications, as well as specialized certification such as the Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), the Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP), the Certified I.T. Consultant (CITC) and the Certified I.T. Compliance Professional (CITCP).

Edmonds Community College and other colleges such as the University of Washington Extension offers education-based certification programs in a variety of areas that CAN lead to industry certifications. These programs provide training, and a certificate is granted at the end of the program, but currently the colleges do not typically administer exams for specific professional certifications. These are handled by the certifying bodies.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) Where does one get certified (testing locations vs. online)? What institutions certify?

 For ICCP certification, three exams are required. Proctors and exams are arranged through the ICCP office ( http://www.iccp.org

). They can be administered online, through a college, or by a designated local proctor.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) Are there educational prerequisites?

 It depends on the certification. The ACP is intended for recent college graduates. All other ICCP certifications require specialized education and at least three years of documented work experience in the field. Exam questions are targeted toward experienced professionals.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

What is the cost? How long does it take to get certified?



Each exam is $285 and three exams are required:

An I.S. Core Concepts exam is required for all certifications, plus two exams in an area of specialization. All three exams must be passed at 50% or better to earn certification. Approved vendor certifications (such as Microsoft's) can be used to substitute for one of the specialty exams. An annual recertification fee of $75 and documentation of continuing education credits is required to maintain certification.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

What skills do you have at the end of the program?

 The ICCP exams assess the skills of IT professionals in a variety of areas. A report is provided to the exam taker at the end of each exam that describes performance levels in each of the topic areas covered on the exam. This is most often used for personal professional development, and is also used by some employers to assess the skills of employees.

 At the end of an education-based certification program such as those offered by Edmonds CC, a diploma or certificate is granted based on a specified level of satisfactory course completion. The benefit of education certification programs is that course outcomes are demonstrated in a variety of ways and assessed by instructors or external reviewers. Actual course deliverables are often required that can be presented in a portfolio to potential employers.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

Are all certifications equal? Is one certification program better or more highly valued by potential employers?

 Each type of certification has a benefit and purpose. If a potential employer is hiring someone to work with a specific product such as CISCO, then a certification in that product is appropriate. However, in my experience, most potential employers don't know about various types of certification options, and are only aware of the certifications that are aggressively marketed, which tend to be vendor product based. The ICCP certifications have been recognized by big companies such as IBM and EDS over the years, and the CDMP and CBIP are increasingly being requested by off-shore I.T. service providers such as InfoSys or government entities. This type of credential demonstrates the individual's understanding of foundational principles and concepts, based on a body of knowledge for the profession. It is intended to represent a long-term commitment to continuing growth and contributions to the profession.

Perspective from “Hirers”

     What do roles do companies recruit certified personnel for?

What designations or accreditations do companies recruit for?

Why is it valued by companies and hiring managers?

Why is certification good for the individual? How do certifications benefit individuals?

Does your company support employees obtaining certifications (financially and in "time spent getting certified")? Do you know companies that support this? Is this a negotiable benefit when accepting a position?

Microsoft What do roles do companies recruit certified personnel for?

 System Architects, System Administrators, Executive Administrative Assistants, Solution Architects, Operational Support, etc.

Microsoft What designations or accreditations do companies recruit for?

 The fully certified individual in a program.

Microsoft Why is it valued by companies and hiring managers?

 Individuals who have continued their education and worked towards a certified goal.

Microsoft Why is certification good for the individual? How do certifications benefit individuals?

 It represents that the individual has a better understanding of the technology and the product that they were certified on.

 Ability to stand out in a job interview from those that have no proven knowledge, increase in pay, and demonstrates the willingness of the individual to still continue to learn.

Microsoft

   Yes, both financially and with Training Time to get certified.

Yes.

Depends on the company. I would first ask what type of continuing education programs does the company have as a question. Provided that I was not able to find anything in their Employee Benefits package.

Product Management What do roles do companies recruit certified personnel for?

 Local companies are increasingly aware that the CPM and CPMM certifications designate experienced product managers or product marketers, and would likely match a candidate with this qualification into at least a mid-level position, or a senior or group manager position.

Product Management What designations or accreditations do companies recruit for?

 Both the CPM and CPMM certifications.

Product Management Why is it valued by companies and hiring managers?

 The CPM and CPMM certification is a performance bar, showing that the candidate is a more proven entity than a non-certified candidate. In other words, a candidate who’s AIPMM certified should be more likely to succeed in the role.

Product Management

Why is certification good for the individual? How do certifications benefit individuals?

 The CPM and CPMM certifications are a significant mark of achievement, but are new enough that not everyone on the job market has earned them, so a candidate who is AIPMM certified will stand out. For an experienced Product Manager or Product Marketer, the preparation time should be a matter of hours of “brushing up” on concepts, especially with the aid of a certification prep course or study guide.

Product Management

 Currently this certification is self-funded by most people who have earned it. Our expectation is that this will be a negotiable benefit when the market is more favorable for candidates, and more candidates begin requesting it.

IT Security What do roles do companies recruit certified personnel for?

 CISO, ISO, Director of Information Security, Information Security Manager, Information Security Analyst, Administrator, Engineer, Architect

IT Security

What designations or accreditations do companies recruit for?

 CISSP or CISA are some of the hottest information security certifications to be had if someone is in a leadership role. The CISM from ISACA has also gained a bit of traction. From a technical perspective Cisco and Microsoft are offering security centric certifications. Depending on the role, an organization may request vendor specific certifications such as Checkpoint, Fortinet and Juniper. Security+ is becoming more of an ask for entry level positions. SANS is also a part of the line up.

IT Security

Why is it valued by companies and hiring managers?

 The value can lie in the fact that some of the certifications are based on industry standards. This means the holder of the certification will approach their job from a standards perspective with practical real-world application. It can weed out those candidates who had gained much of their knowledge through ad hoc methods of browsing the internet. While we can all learn from the abundance of information presented on the internet some content is unstructured or produced for those who are expected to started with industry basics.

IT Security

   

Why is certification good for the individual? How do certifications benefit individuals?

Studying for a certification can help the candidate delve into areas that perhaps they did not consider were important. It can round out the knowledge of the candidate and make them more aware of peripheral impacts they must consider. For instance. I have a CISSP and a CISA. When I build a program or provide architecture guidance I first consider not just industry standards and best practices but I also include what is necessary to pass and audit. It promotes systems thinking rather than individualist thinking. Certifications do matter just as a degree can matter but one must diversify. A degree + a certification will get you through the door. If you want to stay at the table and have the ability to move around well, you’ll have to diversify your skill set to include other types of trainings that may not seem congruent to your field. In the IT front much of the practice has been build on a didactic and or linear approach. That is fine from an operational perspective. However those who are in visionary positions which require the ability to abstract, they will need to diversify their skill set and knowledge base. You might be able to run reports the same way for 10 years but organizations and business units are in constant evolution. They have to be.

Many job descriptions for senior IT professionals are an abstraction of skills. For instance: I would recommend anyone who wants to pursue an Information Security Architect position to seek a TOGAF certification over the ISC2 offering of the ISSAP. The ISSAP while reasonable is still approaching architecture from a information security centric point of view. If you have a CISSP or a SCCP then you should already have adequate knowledge of information security. Studying from a pure architectural point of view will provide you with a more well-rounded view of your approach to suggesting solutions.

IT Security

 All the organizations I’ve worked for support certifications as long as they support the person’s role. Typically it may be part of the training benefit of an organization. If you must negotiate certification as a benefit, you should included the ongoing maintenance cost as well as any activities that suppose CPE requirements.

 Decide what your career path is first before going after your certifications. Look at job descriptions and see what certifications are required of candidates. If you want to diversify your certifications, make sure you do so in a logical manner, not randomly. The following site can help you determine which certifications are available: www.gocertify.com.

Cisco/Networking What do roles do companies recruit certified personnel for?

 Omnikron Systems Inc., a 30-year Consulting, Training and Search firm specializing in Technology. Therefore we (know about) network, infrastructure, telecommunications, internet services, security, cloud computing

Cisco/Networking

What designations or accreditations do companies recruit for?

 Associate Certifications            CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate) Professional certifications Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP) Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional (CCIP) Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP) Expert-level certifications Cisco Certified Design Expert(CCDE) Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)  CCIE Numbering and Recertification

Cisco/Networking

Why is it valued by companies and hiring managers?

 These certifications indicate that you are a professional at designing, troubleshooting and maintaining complex network environments.

  The content, labs and exams are rigorous, so having these certifications also speak of one’s aptitude.

These certifications also give credibility when dealing directly with Cisco

Cisco/Networking

Why is certification good for the individual? How do certifications benefit individuals?

 These certifications are still holding great value in the marketplace, they are still in demand as our marketplace becomes increasingly global and our data centers become more and more complex.

 The certification will set IT professionals apart and will enable them to earn significantly more money by having the credentials.

Cisco/Networking

 Omnikron is paid to hire people with these credentials already in hand.   Large vendors typically pay for these certifications (Verizon, AT&T, CSC – any managed service provider or outsourcing company that is dedicated to the care and feeding of large, global networks).

This is definitely a negotiable benefit. AND if you are currently at a company that has tuition reimbursement that you are not taking advantage of, you should change that immediately and use these free dollars.

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

What do roles do companies recruit certified personnel for and what designations or accreditations do companies recruit for?

   ITIL v3 Foundations is becoming a requirement for Project Managers, Process Owners, Service Desk professionals and management, data center and infrastructure professionals they have this beginning certification.

– AND leaders and executives are also looked at more closely if ITIL v3 Intermediate Certifications are gaining ground – If you achieve Expert Status, you’ll be eligible for high paying consulting & training opportunities. These people earn upwards of $100 - $150 hourly or $1000 to $2000 per day. They are in short supply and the demand is growing rapidly.

There are only 3000 ITIL v3 Experts globally – this is a great time to leap ahead of your competition!

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Why is it valued by companies and hiring managers?

 ITIL is like the Rosetta Stone in IT. It allows the company, the vendors, the clients to all speak the same language.

  Without ITIL, infrastructure has never really followed a consistent model – for 20+ years it’s been Centralize or Decentralize – OR Plan, Build, Run… ITIL brings a framework, rules and organization to IT.

The goal of ITIL is to help IT run like a business and also to help IT align better with the business. This is the holy grail of IT – to align with, better serve and be valued more by the business.

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Why is certification good for the individual? How do certifications benefit individuals?

 It’s becoming a standard and a pre-requisite to getting hired or promoted.

 This is a good bet. The methodology is 20 years old and hasn’t died, so it is a good bet that the certification will last and hold its value.

   Government is pushing ITIL big-time with all its huge vendors. There will be a trickle down effect.

ITIL is a good way to prove governance to the auditors.

As the computing environment increases in complexity, more controls are needed and the ITIL framework provides this.

IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

  Omnikron Trains on the entire ITIL suite.

We will award 3 Scholarships to obtain the ITIL v3 Foundations Certificate in exchange for help with marketing, blogging, emailing and calling companies to help us sell our training services to more organizations!

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

What do roles do companies recruit certified personnel for? What designations or accreditations do companies recruit for?

Specialized roles such as network or database administrators, security specialist or project manager where there are known certifications are the most common. I see job ads asking for project management certification (PMI), A+ and Network+ certifications, CISCO or Microsoft certifications. I think more and more jobs in data management are asking for CDMP and CBIP as these become more recognized within the profession. Often it's a "preferred" but not "required" qualification.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

Why is it valued by companies and hiring managers?

 It depends on the area of certification, but when I was a hiring manager, I valued any certifications primarily because they indicated that the job candidate or employee was serious about their career and self motivated enough to invest in professional development and in validating his or her skills. Certification also provided an external assessment of those skills by some objective measure so as a manager, I felt more confident that the person would at least be familiar with some basic concepts in their area of certification. The ICCP has worked with some managers to administer exams, just to provide an external assessment of employee skills on a team so training and development could be more focused.  On the other hand, I have heard some managers express skepticism about the value of certification. This is based on perceptions that certifications just test a person's ability to take exams and don't demonstrate real skills, or that they are just another source of revenue for product vendors. Unfortunately, this undermines the credibility of certification in our field. Because of this, individual employee sometimes have to "sell" their certification to his or her managers and be able to clearly articulate why it adds value.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

Why is certification good for the individual? How do certifications benefit individuals?

 Certifications can make a resume stand out - for the same reasons described in #3. It just sends a message to current and potential employers that you are serious about learning and growing in your chosen profession. It's also a self-assessment. Sometimes we know more than we think we know, or vice-versa. Going through the process of getting certified helps to validate what you know and areas that you may want to work on to improve your knowledge or skills. I've seen a lot of people gain more confidence in their skills after getting certified, which also shows in an interview and on the job.

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP)

 My current employer (EdCC) supports and encourages instructors to get certified in the areas they teach, and there is often funding for this since it improves the credentials of the instructor. I teach exam-prep courses for the CDMP, and most of the people who go through this get some support from their companies. Often it just takes asking their manager and explaining what the certification is. Employers don't always know what's out there, but once you get certified, some managers will encourage others to get certified as well. Through my work with ICCP, I know there are big companies like IBM, InfoSys and some government agencies that are beginning to encourage and even require I.T. employees within the company to get some kind of certification that's appropriate to the jobs they are in. For companies that provide consulting services, and independent consultants, certification is often a way to demonstrate credibility when selling the knowledge resources of the organization to potential clients.

Perspective from WorkSource Seattle-King County

    What certification or training programs are reimbursed through state and federal programs? What state and federal programs exist to help workers (particularly unemployed workers) get certified or retrained? Are there any prerequisites or requirements for taking advantage of these programs or other financial aid? Are any of the programs tax-deductible?

WorkSource Seattle-King County What certification or training programs are reimbursed through state and federal programs?

 State and federal programs cover IT programs that are in demand in the economy and that are approved through the Eligible Training Provider List. This includes most certification and vocational programs at community and technical colleges.

WorkSource Seattle-King County What state and federal programs exist to help workers (particularly unemployed workers) get certified or retrained?

 Unemployed workers may be eligible for a variety of federal and state programs, including Recovery Act and Workforce Investment Act dollars available through WorkSource and Worker Retraining funds available at the colleges.

WorkSource Seattle-King County

Are there any prerequisites or requirements for taking advantage of these programs or other financial aid?

  Different funding streams have different eligibility guidelines. Most require that the individual be eligible, either because of low income, a barrier to employment, or dislocation from a job; the training program must also be on the Eligible Training Provider List; and the occupation must be in demand or balanced for the area, according to a list determined by labor market data.

WorkSource can help unemployed workers to create a training plan that takes these requirements into account and moves them toward their goals.

WorkSource Seattle-King County Are any of the programs tax-deductible?

 N/A —Most of these funds go to the training provider instead of the students.