Northern Virginia Technology
Technology News and Info for all of Northern Virginia
EC-Council CAST SUMMIT Washington DC 2012 Coming Soon!
Posted by on February 16, 2012
The EC-Council has been making advanced security training classes available for about the past year and their event the CAST Summit Washington DC is coming to the area soon. This event will be held at Advanced Security by Academy of Computer Education in Greenbelt Maryland. Last year’s CAST Summit DC featured some really excellent speakers and some top tier advanced hacking and forensics training. This year’s event is no different. Here are the courses and the instructors:
- Certified Ethical Hacker v7 | Taught by James Younger
- Advanced Penetration Testing | Taught by Joe McCray
- Advanced Mobile Hacking and Forensics | Taught by Wayne Burke
- Advanced Network Defense | Taught by Kevin Cardwell
Details and Registration Info
The price of any of the CEH is $2699 and the price of the other advanced classes is $2499.
To register (or gt more info), use the Promo Code ( ECCSACE ) and you will receive a FREE iPAD!
Get EC-Council CAST SUMMIT Washington DC Details
http://www.eccouncil.org/training/advanced_security_training/cast_summit.aspx
CHFI v8 Launch
Posted by on February 9, 2012
We just received word that coming to the area is the highly touted computer forensics training event, the CHFI v8 Launch. The CHFI is the top computer forensics certification on the market these days. More people are getting this forensics cert than any other right now. However, the CHFI had been lagging behind in terms of course content slightly. It was time for a revision and that is precisely what the EC-Council has done here, and then some.
The Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator Version 8 (or CHFI v8) has completely upgraded the CHFI as a whole. New content, new textbooks (reduced in size and completely improved and updated material) and therefore, greater value.
The CHFI v8 Launch is going to be held on February 27th and will run that entire week. The best local place (according to most internationally awarded and known for top hands-on instruction) to sign up for this computer forensics training class is with Advanced Security by ACE. We know people that have taken security classes with them and its almost all hands-on and the instructors are subject matter experts.
How Valuable Is Project Management Training To Your Company
Posted by on January 11, 2012
Any good business will have leadership that can keep the company on track. This same concept applies when working on projects. Without good oversight, a project can go totally off course and what was once a good idea could take on a life of its own and become useless to a company. Having a solid project management training program can help your company in many ways.
Help Project Managers Meet Goals
A project manager is going to have a lot on his or her plate. When a project is undertaken, it is usually done so with a list of goals including how much time the project has to be completed and how much money is available to do so. The job of the project manager is to take these resources and make the most of them, without sacrificing quality in the process. Project management training is therefore a great tool to allow your leaders to develop their skills.
Poor Project Management Can Cost Money
Poor management of projects is going to cost time and money. A manager who cannot get his or her people to work together to come up with something worthwhile to the company is not an asset to the company. A successful company is one that can cut costs and make the most of the resources that they have. Taking time to ponder and research for the future has its place, but once a project is started, it must deliver what it said it would, or the company is just wasting its money.
Training Specific To Company Goals Can Land You Better Candidates
There are so many different ways to manage a project that it is critical to get the proper training. Once a company decides how they are going to manage its projects, and what approach works best, it is imperative that the manager understands what the company is looking for. A good training program will allow a project manager to gain the skills needed to work within that company, while getting a good understanding of the various methods of managing a project. The more the manager knows, the more ideas he or she can come up with.
If your company is not investing in project management training, it is missing out on a great opportunity to develop its human resources. No person is going to come in to a working environment and be able to lead without first being taught how to lead. It takes a specific skill set to manage others and to manage the process of getting the project completed. If a company won’t invest in the training, it shouldn’t be surprised when its projects don’t go smoothly.
CCNA Online Training is the Trend
Posted by on January 4, 2012
Improve or jumpstart a network administration career by obtaining the Cisco CCNA certification. Networking specialists who hold this certification are frequently sought out by employers. In fact, simply holding this certification can increase a network administrator’s pay by several thousand dollars.
The average wage for a network administrator in the United States was $66,310 in 2008, but pay can increase with additional certifications and training. Small businesses, large businesses and government organizations employ network administrators to design, install, implement and maintain their computer networks. Since these networks are essential to business productivity, network administrators have a serious responsibility within the company.
Although many current network administrators may not currently hold the CCNA certification, most new network administration job candidates will need this certification in order to qualify for a network administrator position. This certification proves to potential employers that the candidate has a deep understanding of network topography, protocols, security and other essential networking concepts.
The CCNA certification examination lasts 90 minutes and is comprised of 45 to 55 questions. These questions test the taker’s knowledge of network installation, configuration, operation, security and troubleshooting. Included on the test are questions about WANs, LANs, VLANs, TCIP/IP, EIGRP, Ethernet, IP addressing, routers, switches, terminology, and wireless concepts. Once obtained, the certification lasts three years. A similar test must be passed before the expiration date can be extended.
Since the certification can be expensive to obtain, training and studying before the exam is essential. Even current network administrators may need to brush up on certain topics in order to pass the examination. Although training is usually available from colleges and other Cisco Learning Partners, online training for the Cisco CCNA certification is the most convenient method of training available.
CCNA online training enables people who would otherwise be unable to participate in training prepare for the CCNA examination. People who live far away from training centers or who have busy schedules benefit from the flexibility of training online. Network administrators and other IT professionals are usually required to be on call in case of job-related emergencies, making an online CCNA training program especially valuable for busy professionals who are already in or are transferring to the network administration field.
Another benefit that students derive from online CCNA training programs is the ability to learn at their own pace. Trainees can linger on complex topics and study a subject in depth without falling behind in a fast-paced brick-and-mortar training class. Since each lesson taught in a CCNA training program needs to be thoroughly understood before the student progresses in the material, online CCNA training programs offer new or unfamiliar students with a distinct advantage.
Similarly, experienced and knowledgeable students can move through an online CCNA training program faster than they could progress in a different training environment, since they will not have to wait for scheduled class times or for slower students to catch up.
Online training for the CCNA certification can save time and even money over traditional training programs. Experienced computer network administrations and new job applicants alike can benefit from the numerous advantages of online training.
CCENT Online Training Make Sense If You Want To Get In Or Get Ahead
Posted by on December 27, 2011
A Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician certification is proof that you can manage a small network, and it could be enough proof to get you an entry-level job in computer networking or help you advance with your current company into the job you really want.
Even better, you can get the CCENT after taking only one test. It’s also the first step toward the coveted Cisco Certified Network Associate. Just pass one more test and you’re also a CCNA.
Better yet, online classes are available to prepare you take the CCENT exam. No matter how much you know about networking now, you can learn what you need to know pass the test and advance your networking career plans from these online classes. They are specially designed to fit easily into your schedule even if you have a full-time job and family obligations.
A CCENT certification proves to your boss and employers to which you apply in the future that you have the basic knowledge necessary to manage a network. It also shows that you are serious enough about a career in computer networking to pass an exam on the topic.
Today’s job market is crowded, and a CCENT certification could be what separates your application from a stack of others.
In CCENT online training classes, you will learn everything an entry-level technician needs to know, including DNS basics, OSI models, routing and router configuration and NAT. Don’t worry if you don’t understand those terms now, however. Online training classes start at the beginning to make sure you’re prepared to pass your test.
Your training covers the terms involved in networking, how to implement a small network, everything you need to know about IP addressing and services for a small office and all the details of wireless LANs. The vitally important topic of security policies and procedures is also covered.
The test is 90 minutes and involved 50 to 60 questions, and that’s all. There are no more tests to get your CCENT, and you’re not obligated to work toward your CCNA at any time.
To get ahead in an information technology career, Cisco makes it easy to tangibly prove your understanding of entry-level networking concepts. The CCENT shows that you understand the complex subject of computer networking.
Since just about every information technology job somehow involves networking, it’s a great place to start for anyone interested in advancing an IT career.
ITIL Is Still Plugging Along, Barely…
Posted by on June 28, 2011
When the initial word made its way around about ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure library) the wave caught some momentum quite well. The IT best practices concepts, that were non-technical / more procedure and business related, were already a major hit in the UK and the word was starting to get out here in the USA. Many large companies bought into it quite hard, Government agencies adopted policies mandating the practices, people started getting ITIL training and certification, all was well in the ITIL community.
However, the story changed a little over the last three years and the momentum has died quite a bit. There is still some interest out there for it, but not like it was a few years ago. What happened? Lets dig a little deeper and discuss our theory.
ITIL was an accredited certification by an orginization named Exin. To maintain quality and control over the cert (and to take a larger slice of the revenue pie) no one could achieve the ITIL certification unless they received training from an Exin accredited training provider. Whats more, Exin accredited training providers had to go through a rigorous multi-step and multi-pay approval process. This accreditation process allowed only a limited number of training providers (compared to providers of things like CompTIA A+, EC-Council CEH, etc.) the ability to offer official training.
In order to control too much (quality and revenue) the grip was kept too tight and many training providers didnt bother to offer the certification. This limitation in availability stunted popularity and growth potential. Less access to the training meant that people with loyalties to training companies didnt seek the ITIL certifications.
Over the last year ad a half or so the popularity has really dwindled (via keyword tracking tools online). Less people are seeking the cert than ever. Companies that once thrived by only offering ITIL training started to go under and close their doors. The lack of freedom in ITIL training, killed it here in the USA. It is precisely the lack of overkill control that has allowed other certifications to thrive (A+, CEH, CISSP etc.).
ITIL is no doubt a useful and beneficial certification to have. When its procedures are employed and organizations IT structure is definitively more streamlined. Some of the Government agencies (just under half of the ones that originally bought on to it) still make ITIL certification mandatory for a few project managers etc., but overall the popularity has dropped so far and fast, its more of an example of what not to do. ITIL isn’t the only cert out there like this.
Microsoft Office Specialist – Whats the Deal?
Posted by on June 27, 2011
The Microsoft Office suite is an essential set of tools for almost any business these days. When Microsoft Office training first became popular, Microsoft released a set of certifications for people to achieve, and they named them, the Microsoft Office Specialist.
A couple of years after this name was branded, Microsoft decided to change the name of the certification to MCAS or Microsoft Certified Application Specialist. To provide you with a time frame, the change happened at the same time that Microsoft switched the name of the MCSE to the MCITP.
Well, to make people more confused Microsoft moved the name of their Microsoft Office credential back to the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS). Instead of the MOS and the MOS Expert, they created a different higher level cert called the Master.
Hopefully they will remain stable with this name. The change of MCSE to the MCITP series, greatly damaged the popularity of Microsoft’s certification. There will always be a place for the Microsoft Office suite, all tech and non-tech businesses in Northern Virginia know that, but hopefully consistent change in names won’t be the downfall of the popularity of gaining the suite’s certification.
DISA Employees Saying Goodbye To Northern Virginia
Posted by on May 13, 2011
The last of the DISA empire that contributed to the Nothern Virginia technology community are all but gone. The agency was since its inception, located in downtown Arlington and is now relocated to Fort Meade in Maryland.
DISA employees contributed to the Northern Virginia tech community through participation in Chamber of Commerce events, Tech seminars, trade shows and of course spent a wide amount of money in Northern VA on IT products and DISA employee training. Now, much like many in the DoD tech sector, they have packed up and gone to Maryland.
Why CISSP Courses Are Essential to Preparing for the Exam
Posted by on April 20, 2011
IT professionals have the ability to carve many different paths for themselves. They can choose software or hardware, network management or server administration, application development or application security. All of these various fields present their own challenges, but one of the most challenging paths is one of security.
Certification is essential in the security industry. It helps IT professionals build knowledge in various fields that that are required to uphold organizational networks. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, for example, is one of the biggest exams for IT professionals. It’s a major stepping stone for individuals that are interested in information systems security. The task of preparing for the exam is an extensive one that requires CISSP courses and vigorous study.
People that choose to tackle exams like the CISSP must meet some requirements before they can even be considered for the exam. The biggest requirement is that potential exam candidates must have several years of experience in the IT security field before applying for the exam.
This is a sure sign of the level of difficulty that lies ahead. People that are interested in the exam should make arrangements to take CISSP courses gears towards the exam. This is essential for all of the security concepts and practices that must be learned. Even people that have an extensive background in cryptography, security practices, and ethnic still need formal course training. Field experience helps individuals learn and understand the concepts quicker. It is not a substitute for course training, however, because the exam covers a wider range of theories.
People may often may the mistake of assuming that their on the job experience is enough to help them pass. These individuals may assume that they can purchase a book on the course because they already have experience in the field. This can be a costly mistake. The exam covers more than any individual would experience during the course of a typical work day. Most people with hands-on experience have a limited area of expertise. Their ability to detect security leaks, for example, may be confined to one method. The exam, on the other hand, may explore a variety of methodologies that are used to detect breaches in security.
The exam consists of 250 questions that cover an array of subject matters. The exam covers controls and threats, cryptanalysis, regulations and laws, risk management tools, response and recovery plans, and restoration activities. This is just a limited portion of the exam, however, because there are also questions concerning software development life cycles, security architecture and design, and access control. All of the elements are covered in CISSP courses. Security professionals that are serious about preparing for the exam will sign up for courses.
It’s wise to prepare through course studies because this will equip students with the most current information. These courses will also help student emphasize points that may be overlooked during without the direction of a detailed course outline.
People that utilize course training methods are more likely to pass the exam than those that do not. Courses in CISSP provide a solid foundation that helps professionals prepare for the exam in a timely manner. It’s easy to get off track without a course of study. Courses help individuals maintain their focus on the material at hand.
Government Shutdown Shakes Up the Area
Posted by on April 11, 2011
The threat of the Government shutdown is now over (for now) and this is extremely fortunate to many people in the Nothern Virginia area. As discussed many times on this blog, NoVa is such a huge Government and DoD contractor area. The majority of the IT / Tech workforce in the area is a contractor to some agency. Typically, they are employed by a private company, but much of their role still depends on the DoD or Government agency contract that they work on.
I spoke to many people leading up to the potential Government shutdown. The consensus across the board was that people didn’t want it to happen. The chance for a break was the only bright-side to the story. The cons were that the break would have been 1) indefinite in length and 2) unpaid. This arrangement was certain for Government and DoD employees, but contractors were (for the most part) still going to have a job to go to. Although most location based contractors would have had to report to company headquarters or something like that. The future of the contractor during any potential shutdown was still in jeopardy.
Other things were also impacted. Many tech employees were schedule for things like training classes. From the feedback we were getting last week, any training class plans went on hold and most were canceled.
Needless to say, most are happy about the resolution. The impact beyond this is yet to be determined. The tech community in NoVa will go on unscathed for now, but I’m sure we’ll resume this chat at the next budget bypass.
