ISACA Blogger: Security Certification Not an Either-Or Proposition
In the minds of many, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) issued by (ISC)2 and the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) issued by ISACA are competing credentials that validate essentially the same information security skill set. It's a MAD Magazine-style Spy vs. Spy relationship. On the other hand, guest blogger Yunique Demann says in a post the ISACA Now Blog of cybersecurity and governance association of ISACA, "Why can't we be friends?" As Demann, a professional security and compliance director, sees it, CISSP and CISM are more like peas in a pod, or more like peanut butter and chocolate, than like romantic rivals for the same suitor. Demann's own experience of earning CISSP first, and then getting CISM, means that she sees CISSP as providing a solid foundation to earn the more advanced CISM. She's writing for an ISACA blog, however, so you'd expect her to give some degree of preferment to the ISACA credential. Still, it's an interesting take on a situation that may not be as much of a competition as many would suppose.
Oracle Certification Weighs Digital Badge Design
Oracle is in the midst of a corporate rebranding endeavor that has now trickled down to Oracle Certification. Unfolding from the revamped mission statement, "Our mission is to help people see data in new ways, discover insights, unlock endless possibilities" (which really feels like it ought to have the word "and" in there somewhere), the new direction has new colors (no more sole-reliance on that signature Oracle fire-engine red) and a new rustic vibe. Oracle Certification is in the process of redesigning the digital badges that correspond to its certifications and wants your input. If you have a dog – or rather, a digital badge – in this fight, then click on over to Oracle, take a look at the proposed designs and color schemes, and chime in.
Math Knowledge Offers an Important Path to IT Employability
Math has always been a key element of information technology, but math skills are growing in importance as IT advances, and employers are stepping up their offers to skilled mathematicians. A new article at CertMag.com, the official website of Certification Magazine, outlines the burgeoning market for math acumen. Key realms of IT opportunity for skilled mathematicians include cryptography, data science, computer animation, game development, programming, and software development. If you have a head for numbers and you're pondering a university degree, then going full-bore into advanced mathematics is a great way to line yourself up for both career success and financial security via IT.
CompTIA Blogger Pinpoints Seven Signs of IT Skills Deficiency
Jeff Foxworthy explained to the world the ways in which "You might be a redneck," establishing a template for an unlimited number of future articles pointing out the (at least mildly) unsuspected signs that you, the reader, might be (or be in need of) X. This week, it's blogger Jessalynne Madden who points out in a post to the IT Career News blog of tech industry association CompTIA, seven signs that "your IT skills may need a refresh." For example, if you're a private IT contractor who suddenly can't get the jobs that you really want, then your IT skills may need a refresh. Certification (and recertification) is certainly a means of updating your IT skills, and Madden doesn't hesitate to point out the many paths to IT certification offered by CompTIA.
CompTIA Compares: Project+ vs. PMP
It's been widely remarked that project management is a growth skill, particularly in the IT realm. Any individual who has what it takes to supervise and coordinate work projects and synergize the efforts of multiple individuals in delivering various outputs, is, at least potentially, a highly valuable employee. The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification issued by the Project Management Institute has long been seen as the gold standard credential for aspiring project managers. In a new post to the IT Career News blog of tech industry association CompTIA, however, blogger Jen Blackwell makes the case that CompTIA's Project+ credential is a solid point of entry to a high-demand field. Blackwell doesn't really attempt to equate Project+ and PMP, but she does point out that there's a niche where Project+ can be sufficient and PMP might be overkill. It's at least interesting to ponder whether the prerequisite-0heavy PMP is really the best preparation for all IT project management careers, or whether the lighter and less time-intensive Project+ might provide enough know-how to enable IT project managers to carry the load.
That's all for this edition of Certification Watch. Please keep your certification news and tips coming to the GoCertify News Editor.
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