Certification Prep – The 20 Minute Workout

In spring of 2009 I wrote an article over on the Petri website titled Security Overview of Encrypting File System (EFS) in Windows 7 based on the beta release of Windows 7 Ultimate edition (build 6.1.7000). Below is an update / reprint of that article. (I’ve mainly removed the beta information and made any changes pertinent to the formal, RTM release of Windows 7). Encrypting File System (EFS) Overview When you want to make sure that data access is restricted only to certain individuals you can leverage NTFS permissions to deny access to everyone and to only grant access to those users by way of the access controls provided within the file system. The problem with this is that the security is bound to the file system so as ownership control is gained to the data on a given system at the level of administrator, that file system security is easily undone and access to that data becomes available. When you are the admin with admin level controls to a system you pretty much can do w

by Kimberly Pittmon Properly marketing your certification can open doors, impart confidence and build networks. On the flip side, under marketing your certification is like shrouding it in secrecy. Here are a few tips to make your certification work for you. 1. Build professional networks: Cultivating business relationships underpin your success. That said, employ the 80/20 rule when building your network. Follow two easy steps to get started. First, carve out 20% of your contacts. Second, focus 80% of your time on fortifying relationships with them. This rule seems paradoxical. But the goal is to work smarter, not harder. Don't have many contacts? Seize everyday encounters to cast a wide net. Opportunities include vendors, clients, customers and peers. Keep your business cards handy. Distribute them to potential contacts. Once you establish a new contact, reach out to them. Send periodic emails containing anecdotes, news or other relevant material. Keep the tone professio

According to a recent story published the IT PRO Enterprise and Business IT News website by Tom Brewster, Ruggero Contu who is a principal research analyst at Gartner, indicated that the software security market will emerge from the recession in decent shape, growing by 11.3 per cent in 2010, as businesses put more emphasis on protecting their IT. The article went on further to say that market revenue is predicted to exceed $16.5 million this year, compared to $14.8 billion in 2009, when growth slowed to seven percent due to the overall state of the global economy. Despite Gartner's claims that companies are to invest more heavily in security, a recent survey from the Ponemon Institute showed IT pros were concerned about the level of their protection capabilities . More than two thirds of IT workers polled said their firms did not have resources to deal with serious threats. The full article can be found online at - Software security revenue to hit $16.5 billion in 2010 .

August 17, 2010 — by Dan Tynan Originally posted on ITWORLD – AN OPEN EXCHANGE Like many people of an inherently cynical nature, the fact Facebook only allows you to express your "Like" on various topics, posts, and advertisements irks me. I know I'm not alone, and so do Facebook scammers, which is why the latest viral "Dislike button" scam has spread so quickly. Facebook Security has issued an official warning about the bogus Dislike button scam. (Of course, this was after Sophos Security researcher Graham Cluley blogged about it and major media outlets like CNN picked it up. You get the feeling the Facebook Security guys spend most of their time riding around the building on Segways and playing with their tasers?) [ See also: Facebook bug coughs up user names and photos to anyone who asks ] The scam starts with a fake status update from someone you know who's been infected (like "Get the official DISLIKE button NOW!") followed by a

The CompTIA Breakaway is the best cross-section of the industry with new vendors and new VARs every year. This year’s event was held beginning on Sunday August 8, 2010 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas and ran through Thursday the 12th. The complete agenda is online at http://www.comptia.org/breakaway/agenda.aspx According to a story published on the BusinessWire website Terry Erdle, senior vice president, skills certification, CompTIA, said in remarks delivered at Breakaway 2010 that “Trends in technology are changing the employment landscape; it doesn’t mean that we don’t need people, it’s just a different kind of job.” The full story which is available online also indicated that forecasts regarding growth in information technology (IT) jobs over the next several years will be in the double digits and that demand will compel the industry to take new, aggressive steps for fill the pipeline with new workers. As outlined in the

An article on the eWeek.com website by Don E. Sears is calling out to IT Pros - “Enterprise and network architects, listen up: Your skills are a hot commodity as companies mount new initiatives in automating and virtualizing the data center and desktop” I’ve stated this many times over the past year in person and on many prior posts; the economy IS slowly (very slowly) recovering. As such there is a small but increasing demand for people with IT skills. While the well is sort of full with water due to layoffs from the worldwide recession, this is slowly and subtlety changing. The well will begin to run low over the next 12 to 18 months in my opinion. Some places are hiring and they are trying to grab who they can with the skill sets they need at a reduced salary cost, mainly due to the power position of hiring in this recession where there are still skilled people out of work and looking for employment. At some point we’ll reach a tipping point; some catalyst will force a majo

Free admission. Farmington, CT Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010 9:00am - 5:00pm Hartford Marriott Farmington 15 Farm Springs Rd Farmington, CT 06032 Events run from 9:00am - 5:00pm Seating for the live event is limited, so register today. For more information or to register, visit > www.msdnevents.com/firestarter OR CALL 1-877-MSEVENT You are invited to join your local Microsoft Developer Evangelists for an inside look at the Windows Phone 7 platform. You'll learn how to harness the strength of Silverlight and XNA to create compelling user experiences with rich, multi-media content. We'll also outline the new distribution and revenue opportunities Windows Phone 7 and the Windows Marketplace offer to web, game, mobile and interactive developers and application publishers. Morning Sessions Introduction to Windows Phone Development and the WP7 platform Building Windows Phone 7 Applications with Silverlight Building Windows Phone 7

There is a short post over on the Born to Learn site titled Have another slice of MCTS--It's good for you! that I really recommend folks take a look at. There is one cross quote that is well representative of the job market today in my opinion. "Over one-third of respondents who have a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification hold multiple MCTS designations. Those with multiple MCTS designations earn an average of $87,041, or $13,000 more than those who hold only one MCTS." That is great reason to get certified. As a holder of multiple certifications and an Microsoft Certified Instructor for the night classes at TodaysTec http://todaystec.com/about_us/display.php I can certainly exude the virtues of having certifications and keeping them up to date by getting containing education credits or by re-certifying on the newer technologies as they release. My Personal Certification Story outlines my start in the information technology field. I hav

Hi gang. This post will only be worthwhile I suppose to the folks in Connecticut and perhaps the general vicinity surrounding. I have teamed up with Wallingford Computer Center to announce classes we are putting together for the fall. This is a trial schedule – if we can get some decent interest we are looking into the possibility of expanding the offering in 2011. In the meantime here is what we have on tap: Saturday October 9th from 10:30AM to 3:00PM Introduction to Windows 7 – This class will introduce Windows XP and Vista users to the new Windows 7 GUI (graphical user interface) as well as to show them how to perform common tasks. Some of the steps from XP / Vista have stayed the same and others have changed. The 1 day session cost is $124.00 and includes the classroom book to keep Saturday October 16th from 10:30AM to 3:00PM Introduction to Office 2010 class - This class will introduce Office 2003 users (primarily) to Office 2010 and the Office Ribbon which replaces the Offic

There are no sure fire ways to get hired in the IT field, especially if you’re a newcomer in the current economy with organizations taking the “do more with less” mantra to a whole new level of meaning. Not only are you coming in with little to no practical experience but you’re potentially competing with some seasoned veterans for the few jobs that are available. There are however a few things you can do to maximize your chances and to set yourself apart from other potential hires. Today I’ll show you what you can do to position yourself for the best chance to grab that open position and get the job you want. I have a post from last year on the TrainSignal website titled How to Break into the IT Industry and Get the Job You Want and its as relevant now as it was when I originally wrote it. Feel free to check out the entire post at http://proxy.trainsignal.com/break-into-the-it-industry-and-get-the-job-you-want/ and let me know your thoughts.

LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) ― Computer hackers have begun targeting power plants and other critical operations around the world in bold new efforts to seize control of them, setting off a scramble to shore up aging, vulnerable systems. Cyber criminals have long tried, at times successfully, to break into vital networks and power systems. But last month, experts for the first time discovered a malicious computer code — called a worm — specifically created to take over systems that control the inner workings of industrial plants. In response to the growing threat, the Department of Homeland Security has begun building specialized teams that can respond quickly to cyber emergencies at industrial facilities across the country. As much as 85 percent of the nation's critical infrastructure is owned and operated by private companies, ranging from nuclear and electric power plants to transportation and manufacturing systems. Many of the new attacks hav