Study shows that human error is still the leading cause of security breaches ...
CompTIA’s fourth annual security study focused on areas and issues surrounding security training and certification, including IT security breach assessments, IT security training’s effectiveness and current and future hiring patterns. The Web-based survey was built jointly with TNS Prognostics and sent in December 2005 to CompTIA members and the TNS NFO Occupation and Industry Panel, which represents professionals associated with IT security.

The survey found that the most common danger to most companies is still their own employees - human error has been the most identified cause of security breaches by survey respondents since 2002. Unsurprisingly, this problem increases in significance with the number of people a company employs. Larger entities (those with 7,000 or more employees) tend to have more severe security breaches than smaller ones. ... click here for full story

CompTIA’s fourth annual security study focused on areas and issues surrounding security training and certification, including IT security breach assessments, IT security training’s effectiveness and current and future hiring patterns. The Web-based survey was built jointly by TNS Prognostics and sent in December 2005 to CompTIA members and the TNS NFO Occupation and Industry Panel, which represents professionals associated with IT security.

The survey found that the most common danger to most companies is still their own employees - human error has been the most identified cause of security breaches by survey respondents since 2002. Unsurprisingly, this problem increases in significance with the number of people a company employs. Larger entities (those with 7,000 or more employees) tend to have more severe security breaches than smaller ones.

The types of attacks do vary. Virus/worm attacks continue to be the most commonly faced security issue mentioned by respondents, as they have been since 2002. Lack of user awareness continues to be the second-most commonly mentioned problem. Browser-based attacks, which last year were tied for the second-most commonly encountered issue, dropped into third place with remote access.

How should you work to protect your company from these often expensive mistakes?

The majority of companies that responded had success with certifying and training their employees. They saw significant ROI in training and employing dedicated security personnel to combat security breaches. Many also employed written IT security policies with success. The amount of companies with trained IT security staff has increased since 2004. The number of respondents with no trained security staff has decreased steadily since the first year of the survey.

Security training and certification are now an established norm, as opposed to an extra. Companies are realizing that this protection is vital, achievable and cost-efficient.

Download the summary or full report. For more CompTIA Research, visit the Research Area of CompTIA.org.

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New CompTIA VoIP Sales Toolkit ... We are pleased to announce the availability of the CompTIA VoIP Sales Toolkit, developed in partnership with Kotler Marketing Group.

If you order by April 30, you will receive two free coaching sessions on selling VoIP solutions and using the toolkit to quickly produce winning VoIP proposals.

Follow this link to view an online demo and for details on ordering now.

This innovative toolkit helps you capitalize on the rapidly growing VoIP / IP telephony market opportunity. Sponsored by leading VoIP solutions providers Cisco, Mitel and Quintum Technologies, the toolkit is a comprehensive yet easy-to-use resource that includes market research conducted with SMBs and VARs about the VoIP opportunity for VARs and an ROI calculator custom-designed to help resellers demonstrate to SMBs the cost savings they can expect from various VoIP solutions. Distributed on CD-ROM, it includes thorough documentation on using the calculator with customers, professional-looking proposals that can be handed off complete with benefit descriptions, graphs and tables that present the hard cost data customers want, an online database of case studies that show prospects how other businesses like their own are benefiting from IPT solutions, overviews of IP VQ sponsors' VoIP products for the SMB market and information on opportunities to grow your business by partnering with these industry-leading firms.

Follow this link for more information.

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New survey opportunity for members: Earn 200 reward points ... Give your input on Affinity Programs and earn 200 member reward points! Follow this link now to answer just five brief questions.

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New CompTIA RFID+™ certification addresses RFID skills shortage ... CompTIA recently announced the launch of its newest vendor-neutral certification exam. CompTIA RFID+, the global standard of competency for foundation-level RFID technologists and systems engineers, is now available.

According to CompTIA’s second annual “State of RFID” survey, 75 percent of technology companies say they do not believe there is a sufficient pool of RFID talent to hire from. There are an estimated 60,000 organizations facing RFID implementation mandates or requirements from customers, suppliers and trading partners, and the market for RFID services is projected to exceed $4 billion by 2008. This lack of skilled integrators is impeding successful implementation of RFID technology.

In response, CompTIA came together with leading companies across a variety of industries to develop a professional certification of RFID skills for individuals working with the technology. CompTIA RFID+ validates an RFID technician’s knowledge and skills in the areas of installation, maintenance, repair and upkeep of hardware and software functionality of RFID products. The exam is intended for technology professionals with six months to two years of experience in RFID or related technologies.

Follow this link for more information or to register for the exam.

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Participate in a convergence survey ... CompTIA is considering developing an industry standard certification for convergence professionals and requests your participation in an industry-wide survey. CompTIA Convergence+ would be a vendor-neutral certification that validates a convergence professional’s knowledge and skills in the areas of telephony, network engineering, applications, hardware and architecture, management and security.

Follow this link or copy and paste http://www.comptia.org/surveys/convergence+jta0306.htm into your Web browser to take the survey now.This survey will be available through May 12, 2006, and participation in the survey could take approximately 30 minutes. Please set aside 30 minutes free from interruption, as your answers will not be saved if your session closes or times out.

Your participation will help to validate and verify industry standards for the knowledge, skills and ability that a CompTIA Convergence+ certified professional would need to carry out his/her daily job tasks.

We encourage you to share this important industry survey with your colleagues and constituents.

As a special thank you, CompTIA will enter the e-mail addresses of those industry professionals who complete the entire survey in a drawing to win one of six prizes. Names will be selected randomly for the following prizes:

• Two winners will each receive a $100 (USD) Amazon.com Gift Card
• Four winners will receive a free CompTIA exam voucher

Only individuals who complete the entire survey and provide valid e-mail addresses will be eligible to win. Only one survey submission per individual will be accepted. Winners will be notified via e-mail after all surveys have been collected and reviewed for completeness.

Thank you in advance for helping us define and build the best possible certification exam by completing the survey. Your contribution is integral to the success of our certification efforts. We look forward to your responses. If you have questions, concerns or suggestions please contact Mike Johnson at mjohnson@comptia.org or (630) 678-8476.

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CompTIA Board member Bob Sartor appointed to RosettaNet Executive Committee ... Bob Sartor, Director of Industry and Customer Programs, Global Customer Solutions at DHL, has been appointed to the position of Executive Committee Vice-Chairman of RosettaNet. RosettaNet is a consortium of companies that create and implement industry-wide e-business process standards. CompTIA’s EIDX section (Electronics Industry Data Exchange Group), which Sartor has been actively involved in, serving as chairman and vice-chairman, has had a long history of working with RosettaNet on a variety of different levels. Many of the founding members of RosettaNet were involved with CompTIA’s ECSB and EIDX when RosettaNet was formed in 1998. As a member of the RosettaNet leadership team, Sartor is hoping to further drive industry consensus for standards and best practices in business process and information integration.

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Reseller Transformation Advisory Council meeting scheduled for June ... The Reseller Transformation Advisory Council (RTAC) exists for the purpose of promoting the economic success of the computing technology channel by improving its ability to market, sell and deliver technology-based solutions in response to customers' evolving needs. CompTIA, with the assistance and guidance of the Reseller Transformation Advisory Council (RTAC), has created an online business transformation process designed to help channel partners identify organizational aspects for profitable change. The CompTIA Solution Provider Roadmap™ contains resources to help resellers understand the differences between a traditional "reseller" and "solution provider," identify organizational aspects that require change, set business model change goals, and use transition tools to transform their businesses.

The next meeting of the Reseller Transformation Advisory Council is scheduled for June 20, 2006 in Chicago. CompTIA invites manufacturers interested in being leaders and showing support to the channel to attend the next meeting. To learn more, please e-mail rtac@comptia.org.

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Who should attend?
CEO, CFO, VP Sales, Sales Management, VP Marketing, Marketing Executives

What's it about?
Take SoftwareCEO's lead generation pain point poll in our forums, and then attend this class to learn tips and tricks to resolve your issues from sales and marketing guru Winton Churchill.

About the instructor
Winton Churchill has been a pioneering key player in a number of successful software companies. He was vice president of sales and marketing for Contact International Corp., developers of ACT!, the leading sales contact management software. He has held senior management, sales or marketing positions at Apple Computer, Sun Microsystems, Gould, Oracle, Legato, Spinnaker Software and Netfish (now Iona).

Winton has provided consulting advice and expertise for companies selling healthcare, banking, consumer, industrial manufacturing, electronics, software, real estate, aerospace, defense, intelligence and nonprofit sectors.

Register here for this informative seminar.

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Breakaway 2006: Education You Can Count On ... The Breakaway 2006 educational program is built around the theme of improving your business.  Whether you’re a reseller, manufacturer, or distributor and your interests are in services, electronic commerce, convergence or education and training, you will find yourself engaged in sessions focused on such topics as:

• Increasing sales to drive revenue
• Financing the channel for growth
• Customer satisfaction programs
• Technology in business
• Technology your customers are buying
• Vertical market strategies  

The compelling educational program in concert with the exciting general sessions make Breakaway the must attend event for 2006.
 

Aug. 2-4, 2006

The Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando®, a Loews Hotel

Orlando, Fla.

Attention Resellers!

Register now to qualify for the $200 Breakaway Reseller Cash Incentive Program. Follow this link for more details.

Register Now!

Go to www.comptia.org/breakaway to register or for additional information.

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Donate reusable computer equipment ... CompTIA recently joined the Computer Reuse and Recycling Coalition and its efforts to push its “100% Day.” “Computer Industry Almanac” reports that Americans are now using more than 230 million personal computers, with the average PC used by its original purchaser for 4.5 years. More than 85 percent of last year’s new computers replaced a working computer. That means on average, well over 100,000 computers are taken out of service daily that are still working. If we refurbish just 10 percent of these PCs, we could provide more than 3.5 million computers each year for schools and low-income families. This would be a simple way to eliminate the digital divide by the end of the decade.

Often the uncertainty associated with securely eliminating information on PCs inhibits companies and individuals from appropriately disposing of their equipment. The Computer Reuse and Recycling Coalition will ensure that your data is permanently and securely destroyed. CompTIA's civic outreach partner, the National Cristina Foundation, is also part of this coalition.

This year on April 22 we celebrate Earth Day. Help support the Computer Reuse and Recycle Coalition by donating your reusable computer equipment. Our goal is to collect the 100,000 PCs that are taken out of service that day in order to help our environment, protect your information and bridge the digital divide. Register your event or look for a place to reuse or recycle your unwanted equipment on www.100PercentDay.org .

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CompTIA believes proposed legislation is a good starting point ... On Tuesday, April 4, CompTIA’s U.S. Public Policy office said that pending legislation before the U.S. House, seeking to expand broadband deployment, represents an important starting point in the legislative discussion toward advancing competition in converged data-video-voice broadband services.  

According to Roger Cochetti, Group Director of U.S. Public Policy, “ Without doubt, the current market for converged, broadband services (data-video-voice) leaves U.S. small business and consumers with limited competitive choices; particularly in the video element of converged broadband services. Competition in converged broadband services from telephone companies, or any other new source, will be  a long over due shot in the arm to boost a wellspring of new and innovative converged broadband services for cable and telephone company customers alike.  Creating a Federal structure for the licensing of converged broadband services will be an exciting first step toward eliminating regulations modeled on past centuries’ needs that still hamstring choice, innovation and U.S. productivity .” 

Follow this link for more information.

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DHL offers you a complete menu of services at discounted pricing ... Services include but are not limited to:

• DHL Next Day 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• DHL 2nd Day
• DHL Ground
• International Document Express
• Worldwide Priority Express
• Import Express
• ...And much more!

Through CompTIA's partnership with DHL, you are eligible for special association member pricing. To find out more about your DHL benefits and set up your account, or if you have questions regarding your current account, please contact the dedicated association hotline at 1-800-MEMBERS (1-800-636-2377) between 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. (ET).

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New! Save money on your credit card processing ... CompTIA has partnered with First National to provide members with a payment processing solution that provides competitive rates with unparalleled customer service.

First National’s program highlights include online reporting, no monthly minimum processing requirements, check verification and guarantee solutions. First National also offers an Interest Bearing Account, which allows you to earn interest on your credit card deposits.

To take advantage of this new member benefit or to learn more about First National, call (800) 354-3988 or visit www.membersales.com/comptia. When you call, be sure to tell them you are a CompTIA member and ask for a free savings analysis detailing how First National can save your business money.

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Save money on office products with OfficeMax ... CompTIA and OfficeMax have put together a special agreement that makes it simple for you to save your company up to 50 percent on office products.

Whether you choose delivery to your office or purchase products at a local OfficeMax retail location, you can expect world-class service from OfficeMax.

The OfficeMax Partner Advantage Program offers you:

• Members-only pricing
• Convenient ordering
• Dedicated local Account Manager
• Low-price guarantee
• Free delivery
• Unparalleled personal service

For more than 40 years, OfficeMax has been providing the cost savings, time savings, selection and personalized customer service that makes life simpler. They do it by putting a relentless focus on customers’ needs.

For more information, call 1-800-248-6343 or e-mail partneradvantage@officemax.com and make sure to mention you are a CompTIA member for ultimate savings.

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Click on the CompTIA member center and save money ... Did you know that as a member of CompTIA, you receive a 20 percent nationwide discount for business or leisure at La Quinta Inns, Baymont Inns & Woodfield Suites? You can save money all year long and stay in great hotels – even suites. Make sure to pass the word to others in your company. Because your membership is corporate-wide, that means others in your company are entitled to this discount as well.

Book your room or suite today by calling 800.531.5900 or online at www.laquinta.com. Use Promotional ID Code: CMPTIA

For more information on these discounts and many others available to you through CompTIA, make sure to log in to the members center of www.comptia.org and click on affinity programs.

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Let CompTIA.org link you to a targeted audience... More than 60,000 individuals visit CompTIA.org every week. As a CompTIA member, you have the opportunity to link visitors to our Web site to your products and services through banner ads on CompTIA.org. This opportunity is accompanied by special pricing for members only. CompTIA members save up to 43 percent on select banner ad programs on the CompTIA Web site.

The CompTIA Web site is the best resource to reach your target audience. With thousands of visitors to the CompTIA Web site, your banner ad can be strategically placed where your potential customers go. CompTIA will also provide you with a user name and password for you to access your tracking reports.

Follow this link for more information about banner ads on CompTIA.org.

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Premier placement in Member Connections gets you noticed ... In addition to free regular placement, CompTIA members can now choose to maximize their visibility to 18,000 Member Connections subscribers with premier placement.

Premier placement will guarantee you a top listing in Member Connections. You will also be able to add your company logo beside your entry.

There are two options for purchasing premier placement:

Gold sponsorship ($350) includes placement of your logo in the upper-right hand corner of the issue, a 40-word description in the sidebar and a 200-word company message as the first feature in Member Connections .

Silver sponsorship ($250) includes placement of your logo in the sidebar of the issue, a 30-word description in the sidebar and a 150-word company message as the second feature of Member Connections .

If you would like to purchase multiple ads at once, custom packages can be designed to suit your company’s needs.

To submit items, go to www.comptia.org/memberconnections .

For more information, contact Kristin Clifford at kclifford@comptia.org .

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