Trusecure Launches Foundation-Level Security Practitioner Certification For IT Personnel
Allies with (ISC)2 to Focus New Certification on Essential Aspects of Information Security Knowledge
HERNDON, Va.–March 25, 2002–TruSecure(R) Corporation, a leading security services provider, and its independent ICSA Labs(R) division, today announced the availability of TruSecure ICSA Certified Security Associate (TICSA), a new security certification for the computer network practitioner. TICSA represents the industry’s most practical, vendor-neutral measurement of proficiency and growth. The certification is designed to validate and improve foundation-level information security skills for network and computer administrators, and other technology-auditing specialists.
TICSA certification demonstrates that IT personnel have the essential knowledge and ability to be active stakeholders in today’s enterprise security, helping their organization achieve a more operationally secure posture. The new certification is intended for those IT practitioners who desire to improve their security expertise, and position themselves as knowledgeable information security specialists.
“TruSecure’s security practitioner certification program benefits the network security specialists as it demonstrates an essential level of understanding demanded in today’s Internet-connected environment, and benefits the employer by helping to ensure that IT staff members have the required level of knowledge and ability to be successful,” said Bob Flinton, director of product marketing, TruSecure Corporation. “This new program completes our certification coverage of the three critical elements of the Security Triad — certification of security products by our ICSA Labs, certification of organizations under our TruSecure Services, and now certification of the practitioner via TICSA.”
Recognizing that TruSecure is targeting mainstream security practitioners with its TICSA certification, the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 endorses TICSA as complementary to its CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) credential. In addition, TruSecure and its independent ICSA Labs division will endorse and lend its respected name to the advancement of (ISC)2’s CISSP credential for the executive-level security professional.
“We are endorsing the TICSA credential because it fully represents our standards for certification at the practitioner level,” said James Duffy, managing director for (ISC)2. “This mutually beneficial alliance with TruSecure will galvanize both organizations’ position in the certification arena, as well as distinguish the CISSP certification as the premier credential in the security certification market. Additionally, receiving the endorsement of (ISC)2 strengthens TICSA’s value in the global information security arena.”
The agreement between TruSecure and (ISC)2 creates a framework for developing joint programs in the future, including the mutual use of each others’ Web sites and other Internet portals to promote TICSA and CISSP.
TICSA certification candidates are tested against 14 common information security disciplines that TruSecure calls its Essential Categories of Knowledge, including:
– Malicious Code Fundamentals
– Host- and Network-based Security
– Risk Management and Essential Practices
– Design and Configuration Fundamentals
– Law, Ethics and Policy Issues
– TCP/IP Security Fundamentals
– Firewall and Router Fundamentals
– Detection and Incident Response Fundamentals
In addition to fundamental security knowledge, TICSA certification incorporates TruSecure’s methodology of security and risk management, concentrating on the “essential” versus “best” practices, to ensure that baseline approaches have been adequately researched and implemented.
A successful TICSA certified candidate will have 2+ years experience in IT administration, or 48 hours of course work or security conference attendance from a recognized provider, must pass a multiple choice exam and sign a code of ethics agreement. The certification is good for two years and requires the candidate to maintain the 48 hours of ongoing course work for re-certification.
TruSecure has contracted with Global Knowledge (www.globalknowledge.com), the world’s largest independent provider of IT education and training solutions, to be the first recognized training provider, and currently maintains the exclusive “Certified” training title. Additional partners also will be selected, approved and designated as “authorized” partners.
The TICSA certification exam is a computer-based, proctored test, administered exclusively by Prometric, a Thomson Learning company (www.prometric.com) and the global leader in technology- enabled testing and assessment services. The exam is delivered through Prometric’s extensive network of testing centers and is currently available only in North America. An international version is scheduled for release later this year. Additional information, as well as a link to register for the exam can be found at TruSecure’s Web site, http://www.trusecure.com/html/secsol/practitioner.shtml. The exam is priced at US $295.
About TruSecure Corporation
TruSecure provides global 10,000 companies with comprehensive enterprise risk-management programs that assure the ongoing security of their critical systems and information. By integrating disparate security products and processes into a comprehensive risk management program, TruSecure helps hundreds of companies achieve greater risk reduction at lower cost. TruSecure’s ICSA Labs is the security industry’s central authority for product standards and testing, and today certifies more than 95% of the market’s anti- virus software, network firewalls, cryptography and IPSec products. TruSecure’s monthly magazine, Information Security?, is the industry’s leading trade publication. Based in Herndon, VA, TruSecure Corporation is privately held with investors including J. & W. Seligman & Co., J.P. Morgan Partners, Weston Presidio Capital, Greylock and WaldenVC. For more information about TruSecure, please visit www.trusecure.com.