CompTIA Blog

The world of cybersecurity continues to evolve whereby the perpetrators of cyber crimes are becoming emboldened in a way we have not seen before, and the U.S. government’s response to these crimes also has evolved in unprecedented ways.Last month the hacker groups Lulsec and Anonymous joined efforts “to launch 'Operation Anti-Security' or 'AntiSec' to expose corrupt, abusive governments . . . [their] top priority is to steal and leak any classified government information, including email spools ...

For the time ever, Breakaway attendees have a direct say in what session gets on the program as the Breakaway Wildcard. Registered attendees each get one vote.  But voting closes on July 8th. Let us know which topic below you'd like to learn most about as the Wildcard session: All They Need to Know: The Power of Why, What & How in Your Business Communications Building Your Business to Be a Valuable Asset When You’re Ready to Sell Business Continuity Planning: the Top IT Priority for 2011 How ...

A look at the week of June 20 in public advocacy for the IT channel: Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced a bill allowing foreign IT students to remain in the country after graduation. The first wave of healthcare IT trained professionals will graduate this spring, helping to address a major shortage of workers in this field. The White House hopes that news of recent cyberattacks will build public support for its comprehensive cybersecurity bill. The federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kund ...

As more and more indicators point to a “bull market” near future for IT job seekers, which roles have the greatest potential? In a self-described non-scientific survey, an InfoWorld article published this week breaks down the six hottest jobs in IT. This “Super Six” batch of positions wasn’t simply chosen for their frequent appearances on IT hiring sites, including Dice and Modis, but from discussions with industry executives on skills sought in the year to come. Titles picked offer the sky-hig ...

Our Breakaway conference in August in Washington, D.C., is shaping up to have our most robust, in-depth slate of sessions ever.  Beyond substantial channel training, attendees will glean real-world perspectives by thought leaders whose companies are driving the IT market.The program kicks off Tuesday, August 2, with a keynote by CompTIA President and CEO Todd Thibodeaux on the state of the IT industry.  Then best-selling author and noted business consultant Peter Sheahan gives his cutting-edge i ...

A look at the week of June 20 in public advocacy for the IT channel Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced a bill allowing foreign IT students to remain in the country after graduation. The first wave of healthcare IT trained professionals will graduate this spring, helping to address a major shortage of workers in this field. The White House hopes that news of recent cyberattacks will build public support for its comprehensive cybersecurity bill. The federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra i ...

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack stated during a hearing this week that “we are not going to take it anymore,” referring to her efforts to pass comprehensive data notification breach reform, in response to the recent announcements by Sony and Epsilon of its major data breaches. As Congresswoman and Chairwoman of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee, she also stated that the recent massive data breaches convinced her for the need to introduce the Secure and Fortify Electronic Data Act ...

Communication is a key element to business success and, when adding cloud services to your portfolio, there is no exception to the rule. A clear and concise discussion on the pros and cons of any new technology solution (or delivery method, in this case) is essential to setting the proper expectations. Without that conversation, your chances for building a successful cloud practice diminish significantly, leaving it up to your clients to decide if the initial and continued investment is worthwhi ...

Even as discussions about tax reform are continuing in D.C., the reality that reform might not be accomplished soon is beginning to set in.  Sure, we need a simpler and more efficient tax system, and we also need additional tax revenues that can be gained from closing loopholes.  However, considering the ongoing impasse in Congress, how do we get there?Part of the answer might be forced by the negotiations on increasing the nation’s debt limit, which will/must be addressed by the end of July.  H ...

Do you need a social media makeover? Do you use Twitter and Facebook to drive your business? Are you on LinkedIn? Do you use a resource like Constant Contact to stay in touch with customers and prospects? Do you even know what your customers “like”? If the answer is no to any of these questions, you might be in need of a “social media makeover”.At the upcoming CompTIA Breakaway in Washington, D.C., the first week of August, we are featuring the results of a social media makeover done for one luc ...

A look at the week of June 13 in public advocacy for the IT channel:A bill to keep foreign workers in the U.S. is encountering difficulties finding majority support in the House. The SEC has announced that public companies must disclose any breach that could jeopardize intellectual property or trade secrets. Federal agencies are reporting cost savings and improved technology thanks to federal CIO Vivek Kundra’s IT reform plan.Tech Execs Seek Visas for High-Skilled Workers — According to Politi ...

A couple CompTIA-certified entrepreneurs have joined in a new business arrangement offering residents of their South Carolina town one-stop shopping for computer assistance, insurance services and knick-knack shopping.   Mark Ford and Robert McDaniel, owners of Xcellent Computer Services, Inc. of Winnsboro, S.C. and CompTIA A+ certified pros, have partnered their downtown address with another business to offer their clients more than just computer support.   The three-year-old c ...

The popular perception of the IT industry often conjures images of computers, software, and networking gear — the rudiments of an emotionless, digital world.But a series of gifts by CompTIA, the IT industry trade association, through its 10 official communities around the globe, is showing that IT is just as much about connecting people to the needs in their communities as it is about running cable.CompTIA VP Jim Hamilton“This is a way for people to think how the IT industry is giving back. It’s ...

What sources do you rely on for reliable IT industry research and data? Some answers may include government data (e.g. BEA, BLS), research subscription services (e.g. IDC, Gartner), news websites (e.g. Channel Insider, CIO) and search engines (e.g. Bing, Google). That’s a lot of sources to dig through!Even then, there is still no guarantee of mining that “golden nugget” of information. Clearly, there must be a more efficient and effective way to search for that meaningful market size data, growt ...

Last week, two events took place that typically would not draw much channel interest. Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference took place in San Francisco, and without a new device launch, some wondered how exciting the event might be.  Down the coast in Los Angeles was an event even further removed from standard channel scrutiny: the Electronics Entertainment Expo, better known as E3. However, both of these events presented reminders that the way we interface with technology is changing as rapidl ...