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IT Security Certificate Program Launches in Silicon Valley
In response to increasing student demand, International Technological University (ITU), a private engineering university providing market-driven educational training for today's hi-tech industry, will launch an IT Security Certificate Program on August 30, 2004. The program is designed for network and IT administrators with two to 10 years of work experience, who have either lost their jobs or are looking to increase their employability. The five-month, five-course program will produce specialists in securing network infrastructure resulting in increased employment opportunities in one of Silicon Valley's most lucrative, high-demand job markets.
The cutting-edge curriculum was developed by former National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) security specialist, Mr. John Yin. Yin is vice president and CTO of Omniwerks, a network security company in Campbell, Calif, and a notable expert in his field. He established network security at NASA and was selected to implement network connectivity and systems security for the White House website.
The Gartner Group estimates that the North America security services market will reach nearly $9 billion in 2006, and that security consulting will be the largest segment of the security services market (40 percent) in 2006. Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a leading outplacement firm, identifies IT Security Specialist as the "Hottest Job of 2004."
"Every industry expert we surveyed has confirmed that IT security will remain in the Silicon Valley in the next five years, no matter how good or bad the economy is doing," said Mr. Yau-Gene Chan, executive vice president of ITU. "Salaries for IT security specialists start at $85,000 per year and go up. In an uncertain economy, an educational investment of only $5,000 to lock down job security with upward mobility in a quickly expanding field is a wise choice for one's future."
Global IT security spending for 2004 is estimated at $71.5 billion, according to Australian analyst firm, the TowerGroup. And the Meta Group estimates that by 2006, security spending will make up 12 percent of U.S. firms' IT budgets, up from current levels between three to four percent. According to a 2003 report by The Gartner Group, enterprises will increase security spending as a percentage of the IT budget. Gartner analysts recommend that enterprises increase digital security spending by 20 percent per year.
"The internet is a critical business tool. Not understanding how your company's infrastructure works or how to protect it is a costly problem," said Yin. "Working with ITU, we developed a practical program to provide students with the training and skill-sets they need to securely lock down network infrastructures."
Dr. Hasan Alkhatib, security expert and founder of secure communications software company, IP Dynamics, estimates that the secure communication market will grow at a rapid 12 to 18 percent. "Introducing a certification program focused on secure communication and infrastructure security in general is something that is sorely needed in the Valley today," said Alkhatib.
About ITU's Security Certification Program
ITU's new Security Certification program consists of five stand-alone modular courses totaling 160 hours. Each 32-hour course segment takes one month to complete and can be taken independently and in any sequence. Evening classes give students the flexibility to maintain full time jobs while learning critical new skills. In addition, the five-course certificate program can earn students credit in ITU's 18-course curriculum leading to a Master's degree in Computer Engineering. Tuition for the Security Certificate Program is $5,000. An on-line program is planned for the near future. 24.08.2004, International Technological University
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