Certification Watch Volume 6 #5

Certification News regarding new research, CompTIA exam prices, NSA, ISC(2), Cisco, IBM, and Nortel.

Published March 17, 2003
By Anne Martinez

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2002 Global IT Training and Research Study Published

The 31 page report resulting from this year's study of the certification marketplace has a lot to say. The annual study, contracted by Prometric along with co-sponsors Cisco Systems, CompTIA, Hewlett Packard and Sun Microsystems, suggests that while certification is still valuable to IT professionals and employers, it doesn't pack the full career boosting punch of days past.

More than 8,000 IT professionals from over 50 countries were surveyed for this year's report, which was conducted by Thomson Marketing Resources, an independent research organization within the Thomson Corporation. Survey respondents included IT managers, certification candidates, and individuals who already hold one or more certifications.

Among the key findings: "There are indicators that some of the strongest motivators for pursuing certification-credibility, productivity, ability to find a job, increasing compensation-are in danger of losing strength as benefits if current marketplace practices continue."

Other particularly notable results include:

Most certification candidates use practice exams to prepare: In the 2001 study, 46% of certification candidates participating in the survey used self-assessment tests to prepare for certification exams. In 2002 77% did so.
Self study continues to grow in popularity. In 2001 61% of surveyed candidates prepared for certification using print materials for self-study. In 2002 87% did so.
There are substantial geographical differences associated with the reasons people pursue certification and how they choose to prepare for it.

The above are just a tiny sample of the statistical tidbits contained in this year's study.

Managers, certification candidates, and those running certification programs will all find something of value in the results. Read the full whitepaper, along with reports from previous years in Prometric's Industry Research Center.

CompTIA To Raise Exam Prices 4%

Effective April 11, 2003, CompTIA will raise exam prices an average of 4% (i.e. approx $4-$5 per exam) on the A+, Network+, Server+, i-Net, Linux+, CTT+ (computer-based test), IT Project+, and HTI+ certification exams. Security+ pricing will remain unchanged.

NSA and ISC2 Create New Security Credential

The International Information Systems Security Consortium (ISC)2 has announced that it will develop and administer a new computer security certification for the National Security Agency (NSA). The forthcoming Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP) credential will build upon the already successful CISSP program by requiring candidates to first earn CISSP certification. The ISSEP will focus on the systems engineering side of information security and will be used to help screen potential employees and contractors of the NSA. The NSA has prepared the groundwork for this certification and will provide the subject matter experts to develop the ISSEP examination.

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