Certification - July 2008 - (Page 21)

said. “DOD 8570 has it right: Certifications should map directly to real experience, knowledge and time on the job. Whether you’re in management or a frontline technician, a progression through the ranks is not only desired but should be mandatory. You wouldn’t want a first-year medical student working on you. Can you imagine getting to the operating table and being told, ‘I have only six months experience and I’ve never actually operated, but I did pass a tough exam last week’?” Although presiding over mostly IA-related certifications, Clark personally has seen the benefit of the structured approach to certification. He said students attempting CISSP without any prior certification do not do nearly as well as those who have taken Network+, Security+ or SSCP in preparation. “Success breeds success, and those who have already taken a certification — one that more closely matches their current skill, knowledge and experience levels — and passed are more relaxed and confident when facing the more difficult tests down the road,” Clark said. Admittedly, the certification market’s move toward the entry level may simply be mercenary in nature — an attempt to jump-start a market on the decline. In 2006, Brainbench’s “Global Skills Report” verified the declining trend in certification, and this movement continues today. David Foote, co-founder and CEO of Foote Partners, said his research shows that the value, both perceived and real, from attaining a certification is on the decline. Entry-level certs, though, are the exception to the rule. “The trend is definitely shifting towards the entry-level certification,” Foote said. What does all this mean to the IT world? If you’re already a traditional certification holder, the answer is, “Not much.” However, new members to the industry have a much wider range of choices available, and the entry-level certifications may be the most valuable of the group. History lessons aside, it now seems the starting line, at least in the IT and IA certification world, may be just as important as the finish line. 8 Matt Walker is certified in CCNP, CCDA, MCSE, MCT, CEH, CNDA, CPTS, Security+ and Network+. He can be reached at editor@certmag.com. Scientists have determined that we only use 10% of our brains. Make the most of it. There’s only one way to prepare for your next certification exam and that’s with Self Test. It’s the only tool you’ll need to improve your IT IQ. Self Test Software helps you figure out what you know and gives you the answers to what you don’t. Hey, you’re already smart. We help you be smarter. w w w. s e l f t e s t s o f t w a re . c o m · 1 - 8 0 0 - 2 4 4 - 7 3 3 0 © 2006 Kaplan IT, Inc. All rights reserved. SELF TEST SOFTWARE® Kaplan IT, Inc. All rights reserved. be smarter http://www.wgu.edu/cm14 http://www.wgu.edu/cm14 http://www.brainbench.com/xml/bb/business/newsletter/070806/070806product.xml http://www.footepartners.com/ http://www.selftestsoftware.com http://www.selftestsoftware.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification - July 2008

Certification - July 2008 Editor's Letter Contents Data System Virtual Village Tech Careers Dear Techie Academic Connection Look Ahead Troubleshooting Testing Your Foot in the Door: Certification at the Entry Level Analyzing the Societal Effects of YouTube Interface Spread the Knowledge: Becoming an IT Trainer Inside Certification Ad Index What We Like Endtag

Certification - July 2008

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