Element K Named Authorized Content Provider for New Security Certification

Business Wire, Sept 24, 2001

Business Editors

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2001

Only Security Certification Available Covering Both Core Skills And The Integrated Security Technologies Used in Today's Organizations

Element K, a leading provider of corporate e-Learning solutions for information technology and business skills training, today announced that it has been selected as the authorized content developer for Ascendant Learning's new Security Certified Program (SCP).

Introduced last week by Ascendant Learning, a Chicago-based security training organization, the SCP develops and validates skills of information security professionals. The SCP is a two-level, vendor neutral security certification program that enables individuals to acquire skills and get certified as a Security Certified Network Professional (Level 1) or a Security Certified Network Architect (Level 2). The focus of Level 1 is on Defense, while Level 2 concentrates on trusted communication and emerging security technologies like Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), biometrics, forensics, and smartcards. To obtain certification within each level, students must pass at least one proficiency exam demonstrating their security knowledge.

The SCP structure is the only security certification available that measures competency in two areas: the core skills broadly required for the job roles of security professional and security architect and the skills required for specific security technologies like firewalls, IDS, PKI, biometrics, and forensics. The Element K courseware prepares for the SCP exams, covering the core skills as well as the specific security technologies.

"The market demand for qualified Security professionals continues to increase. Organizations will invest in educating security professionals to ensure that they have up-to-date job skills in today's dynamic environment. Given the nature of security, organizations will also wish to validate skills of their staff responsible for security," said Paul Krause, Executive Vice President of Development at Element K. "We believe that Element K's security content, along with the Security Certified Program, will provide the best security training available, ultimately preparing these security professionals for real-world scenarios."

"As a result of business drivers like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), E-SIGN legislation, and enterprise e-business initiatives, many employers now treat security as a strategic area - one that impacts suppliers, customers, and the entire enterprise," said Uday O. Ali Pabrai, co-creator of SCP. "This new focus is quickly creating a demand for security professionals and architects, which is exactly what SCP delivers to the individual and the employer."

Pricing and Availability

The new SCP certification courseware will be available in an instructor-led format beginning October 2001. The courseware subsequently will be available in an online format at www.elementk.com. Element K Press offers books for instructors and students that support the SCP exams. Please contact an Element K Press sales representative at 1-800-434-3466 for detailed pricing based on the SCP certification path and number of students.

About Element K

Founded in 1982, Element K is a leading provider of corporate e-Learning solutions for information technology and business skills training serving Fortune 1000 companies, universities, government organizations and individuals. A pioneer in IT training, courseware development and e-Learning, the company's Web site (www.elementk.com) offers subscribers in 144 countries 24/7 access to more than 800 online courses on a wide range of IT and business topics. These include office productivity, design and media, computer programming, Web development, databases, hardware networks and operating systems, Cisco internetworking and telephony, as well as e-business, project and business management, and workplace safety. Element K's integrated online solutions feature instructor-led online courses, self-paced tutorials, a comprehensive reference library and dynamic interaction with experts and peers. The company also hosts an online learning environment integrated with a powerful learning management system. More information on the company can be found at www.elementk.com.

About Ascendant Learning

Ascendant Learning is an e-learning organization based in Oak Brook, Illinois with a focus on security-related content development and class-room-based instruction for security courses. SCP co-creator Uday O. Ali Pabrai also created the industry leading Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) program and was instrumental in the development of CompTIA's i-Net program. Pabrai is an accomplished expert in e-security technologies in the fields of PKI, biometrics, and enterprise network security policy, architecture and systems. SCP is based on real-world experiences at diverse organizations including Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Elkay Manufacturing, Wells Fargo, U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency and many others.