Xpert Learning and CompTia partner for 2005

In less than two years, more than 10,000 people in 112 countries have become CompTIA Security+TM certified. CompTIA reports that it is the fastest growing certification among the 11 offered by the organization, and that Security+ ranks alongside CompTIA A+(R) and CompTIA Network+(R) in the top three in terms of overall volume.

Paul Gledhill Director of Xpert Learning says,"The need for benchmarking the skills of IT professionals is clearly apparent in our region. IT Security it is at the top of most GM's and CEO's agenda in the UAE as well as Government and academic institutions leaders out here. Without qualified and skilled staff to safeguard IT systems any security breach could be significantly damaging".

"ComTia will be significantly increasing their exposure in our region in 2005" adds Paul
Our role with CompTia will be to introduce them to the Middle East region and assist with creating more awareness of the quality and need of the certificated tracks.

CompTIA believes the rapid adoption of CompTIA Security+ rests largely on the marketplace's strong demand for a best practices certification at the foundation-level of security and the fact that Security+ successfully validates knowledge mastery of the key areas of security at that level. The other major factor in its success is that Security+ integrates with the leading vendor-neutral and vendor-specific security certifications. This is a benefit for organizations and individuals looking for a clear and cost-effective path for career development in security.

"Vendor-neutral certifications like CompTIA Security+ help to establish benchmarks of professionalism and performance that are essential for information system security across platforms, operating systems, and vendor-specific products," said Graeme Johnston, senior director, global learning and certification at Symantec.

The CompTIA Security+ certification exam was first offered in December 2002 following an intensive year-long development effort overseen by governmental agencies and security organizations among others. Following its launch, CompTIA Security+ became a prerequisite, a requirement within, an elective, or an equivalent to on-the-job experience for certification tracks from Microsoft, Symantec, IBM, Information Systems Audit & Control Association, International Information Systems Forensics Association, and others.

CompTIA Security+ certification tests for the equivalent knowledge mastery of an individual with two years on-the-job networking experience including emphasis on security. The exam covers industry-wide topics including communication security, infrastructure security, cryptography, access control, authentication, external attack, and operational and organizational security. Numerous academic and commercial training organizations offer courses mapped to the competencies tested by the certification.