Green IT skills are now certifiable through new CompTIA exam
The CompTIA technology trade organization has come out with what it is characterizing as the first ever specialized exam for green IT skills. The exam is part of the Strata certificate program. The subject matter includes green technologies, standards, policies and design/support techniques. Topics include proper disposal, power preservation best practices, how to address carbon footprint management, virtualization skills, and how to measure the return on investment from green IT activities. CompTIA recommends that you have at least a year and a half of experie The organization stepped up to the plate after a 2009 survey showed that support personnel, IT managers and IT solution providers were having to provide more and more green-related services. For example, the survey showed that 40 percent of IT service providers provide energy audits to their clients, 26 percent are handling carbon footprint measuring and monitoring services, and another 23 percent are planning to get into this services by the end of 2011. Close to 80 percent of all organizations consider energy consumption audits part of a standard facilities and IT management regime, and almost the same number believe that power consumption is a major deciding factor when buying new PCs. The International Information Systems comptia security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2) has developed guidelines that are recognized for appropriateness in the general managerial track for security. Those wishing to be managers and those employers writing job descriptions for managers can research the ISC2 guidelines and clarify for themselves the expected areas of competency. Security managers should be able to prepare plan, implement, execute, and evaluate security programs. Academia and commercial training organizations are developing curricula that incorporate some of the best thinking to date on preparing IT workers for managerial and technological career paths in security. Employers and job seekers have a ready source of information from these organizations as well. Continuing education credits, degrees, and certifications earned during these programs are guideposts for employers and credibility statements from job seekers. Preparing security job descriptions or building capabilities for the next job requires clear information and a little research. That information is available now, from foundation-level requirements on up to the multiple layers of experience and education required for the senior-level manager and technologist. The security infrastructure, including industry associations, suppliers, and academic and training organizations is deepening by the week. Use the resources and tips in this Network+ certification article and find order rather than chaos in the pursuit of information security.