Industry Leaders Define a Global Security Standard; CompTIA Forms Security+ Cornerstone Committee.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) announced today the names of the first organizations to join the Security+ Cornerstone Committee, the steering committee responsible for determining the scope of this new global certification. During a recent meeting in Chicago, committee members identified the experience level and job skills required for a professional to be Security+ certified.

"This is a joint effort by industry, academia, and government agencies to define a foundation-level security certification," said Fran Linhart, director of certifications, CompTIA. "The Cornerstone Committee has set the certification's parameters. CompTIA has engaged subject matter experts, held focus groups and sponsor surveys, managed the item writing and review processes, and started developing the beta exam. Before the new exam launches fourth quarter, hundreds of experts from across the globe and thousands of hours will have gone into the new certificate's creation."

The first organizations to join the Cornerstone Committee include VeriSign, Entrust, RSA Security, IBM/Tivoli Software, Microsoft, Novell, Sun Microsystems, Olympus Security, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Cybersmuggling Center - US Customs, US Secret Service, Virginia Community College System -- Institute of Excellence for IT, Element K, Marcraft International, Course Technology, Intense School, Ascendant Learning, Tech-Connect, New Horizons and Sybex.

"Support by industry, academia, and government agencies is critical if the new certificate is going to have relevance," said Dr. Fran Nielsen, deputy chief, Computer Security Division, Information Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). "Without CompTIA's neutral standing, resources, and knowledge, a certificate recognized globally would be long in coming. In terms of security, no one is willing to wait."

CompTIA requests subject-matter experts willing to participate in beta testing and item review to please visit: http://www.comptia.org/certification/securityplus/index.htm.

"One of the most notable aspects of the committee is the passion of the participants," said Jeff Recor, president, Olympus Security. "Committee members listen and build on one another's insights. If the dedication of the committee members is any indication, Security+ will clearly represent the best thinking on a foundation-level security certification."

For more information on Security+, the new baseline standard of computer network security and expertise, visit the CompTIA Security+ Webpage http://www.comptia.org/certification/securityplus/index.htm or e-mail [e-mail].

About Security+

The Computing Technology Industry Association's Security+ certification is an internationally recognized validation of the technical knowledge required of foundation-level security practitioners. Those holding the Security+ certification have demonstrated the aptitude and ability to master such knowledge areas as: General Security Concepts, Communications Security, Infrastructure Security, Basics of Cryptography, and Operational/Organizational Security.

Founding organizations of the Security+ program include: Argonne National Laboratory, Ascendant Learning, Course Technology, Cybersmuggling Center - U.S. Customs, Element K, Entrust, IBM/Tivoli Software, Intense School, Marcraft International, Microsoft, Motorola, New Horizons, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Olympus Security, Novell, RSA Security, Sun Microsystems, Sybex, Tech-Connect, U.S. Secret Service, VeriSign, and Virginia Community College System -- Institute of Excellence for IT.

About CompTIA

CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, is a not-for-profit trade association, providing the technology community standards in the areas of Internet-enabled service provision, e-commerce, vendor-neutral technical certification, CRM, public policy, workforce development and training. Representing the computing and communications market for over 20 years, CompTIA has more than 10,000 corporate members in 78 countries, and 10,500 individual professional members. Almost half a million individuals worldwide have earned CompTIA certifications. More information is available at www.comptia.org.