Concentrating on CISSP Management - The Demands of the Specialized Environment

As more and more organizations, companies and government agencies adapt to the Internet, the security challenges of those organizations continue to grow, and the need for well qualified security personnel increases. Opening up the company network to business partners, customers, employees, suppliers, vendors and others carries a great many benefits, but there are security risks as well. It is important for companies to address these risks, and it is even more important that these risks be addressed and managed by competent security personnel.

As we move away from a production based economy and into the information age, the data and information contained on the company network and other resources is increasingly becoming the most valuable asset those companies own. This has made the ability to secure these important resources a central role in the company, and the demand for well trained workers in the IT security field is expected to grow by leaps and bounds. Companies and government institutions of all sizes are beginning to realize that they need to hire the right people, with the right skills, in order to maximize the convenience of their customers and employees while minimizing the risks to their data.

In years past, many of these companies relied solely on technology to keep themselves and their networks secure, but for a number of reasons this is no longer sufficient. Without dedicated and highly trained security personnel, even the best firewall or intrusion detection system is useless. It is essential for companies large and small to look into hiring a dedicated IT security team to prevent, detect and mitigate intrusions, data theft and other security problems.

Of course it is not enough for companies to protect themselves against threats from the outside, and in fact many of the most serious security breaches have come from inside the organization. From simple acts like leaving a laptop unattended to the deliberate sale of sensitive company information, this insider approach is essential to a good security plan. It is essential that any security platform include a focus on these insider threats, and good IT security personnel will be able to address these sensitive issues and implement a strong security protection plan.

No business operates in a vacuum, and some of the strongest security related pressures in various industries are coming in the form of government regulations and new laws designed to protect the privacy of consumers and others. Government rules such as HIPAA and Sarbanes-Oxley are changing the landscape for a number of companies, and those companies will need to be prepared with a strong security plan to protect the confidential data with which they come in contact.

For all these reasons, many companies have increasingly come to the realization that relying on technology alone is no longer sufficient, and that the protection of information assets goes far beyond technological tools. Companies of all sizes are increasingly realizing that they need well trained, well qualified security personnel to protect the most important assets of their companies.

Well trained and well qualified people are the only way to create and implement a security policy that is able to balance the needs of the business with security needs. In order to be successful, these time tested security protocols will need to be implemented throughout the company, and only well trained personnel will have the skills needed to implement these security goals.

A mere quarter century ago, the world of information security was a new one, and the security of information was typically not a high priority. However, as information has become easier to access, through the Internet and through company networks, the protection of this information has become a much higher priority for most companies. Coupled with this is the fact that a great deal of this information is of a confidential and sensitive nature, with serious monetary and criminal penalties resulting from its loss, theft or misuse.

In the past, many IT security specialists came into their jobs casually, as their employers realized that their data was at risk and began looking for ways to make it more secure. These days, however, the constantly changing landscape means that there are new standards, both in terms of training and in terms of experience, demanded of security professionals, and it is important for those security professionals to possess the skills and training they need to get the job done.

The past quarter century has seen many changes in the world of IT security, from a growing recognition of its importance to a number of new certification paths designed to allow workers to prove their skills in this important area. In order to meet these important goals and provide well qualified candidates for security related positions, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional, or CISSP, certification has been created. The CISSP certification requires that candidates demonstrate a basic level of knowledge in best practices related to security, as well as the policies and technologies needed to implement those practices.

In order to become CISSP certified, candidates must pass an examination that proves their competency. CISSP certified individuals are also required to have four years of validated experience in certain areas of information security, or three years of experience plus a bachelor's degree. CISSP certification holders must also be endorsed by another CISSP credential holder, agree to abide by the (ISC)2 Code of Ethics and take advantage of continuing education opportunities in order to maintain their certification.

As the need for qualified and specialized IT security personnel has continued to grow and change, the (ISC)2 has also developed a management concentration, designed to help the security manager focus on the needs of management and the protection of information based assets.

The CISSSP-ISSMP (Information Systems Security Management Professional) credential is intended to signify a deeper emphasis on management, as well as a greater understanding of management needs, built upon the broad based knowledge of the CISSP certification program.

Candidates for the CISSP-ISSMP are required to hold the CISSP credential first, and this new credential is intended to provide a way for workers to enhance their careers and their growth opportunities. Those who hold this specialized credential are expected to be in high demand, and there is a growing interest in this credential, both among employees and the companies that hire them.

Of course it is important for those candidates to start out with a broad base of knowledge, and many of the most successful security engineers and others also hold a number of other certifications and credentials. As always, CBT Planet is proud to serve your computer training needs, offering instructor led computer training courses, courseware books and other training materials in a wide variety of disciplines, including desktop applications, server software and more. CBT Planet also offers courses for Microsoft MCSE, CompTIA A+, CCNA, Red Hat, IBM, Sun and other certification programs. Contact CBT Planet today and let us help you toward your goals.