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 ...