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New Study Shows 38 Percent of Information Security Processes are Immature

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The 2007 ISO 27001 Benchmark Study shows many organizations have gaps in their governance of information security.

Fairlawn, Ohio (PRWEB) January 31, 2008 — New research from Wolcott Group (www.wolcottgroup.com), "The 2007 ISO 27001 Benchmark Study," shows that many organizations have significant gaps in how they manage information security. While most organizations have mature or developing controls for information security, many still have immature processes for key issues like security policy training, access control, asset management, business continuity, IT compliance auditing, and more.

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"One of the most significant findings from the study is that nearly half of the respondents rated their organization's approach to managing information security as 'initial' or 'non-existent'," stated Gary Sheehan, CISSP, HISP, managing consultant for information security at Wolcott Group. "Essentially, this study demonstrates the need for organizations to adopt a more holistic approach to managing information security like ISO 27001/27002."

Highlights of Immature Controls and Processes:

  • 57% have immature processes for classifying the value of their information assets
  • 56% have immature employee training programs on information security policies and procedures
  • 47% have an immature approach to managing information security
  • 45% have immature business continuity processes
  • 36% have immature IT compliance auditing processes

"The 2007 ISO 27001 Benchmark Study" was based on a 20-question self-assessment survey that explored the major aspects of how organizations govern information security as it is aligned with the ISO 27001 international standard and the ISO 27002 best practice framework. The study had 89 participants from a variety of industries, with 88% being in an IT management role, and 62% from organizations with over 1,000 employees.

Interested parties can visit Download The 2007 ISO 27001 Benchmark Study to register to download a complimentary copy of the benchmark study.

A related webinar
On February 27, 2008, Wolcott Group will host a webinar to expand on the study's findings as well as cover some best practices for managing information security using the ISO 27001/27002 framework. For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit Register for the ISO 27001 Webinar.

The related Online ISO 27001 Self-Assessment is still available
The online ISO 27001 self-assessment that was used to collect the data for the benchmark study is still open for use at Take the ISO 27001 Online Self-Assessment. The self-assessment enables organizations to benchmark their information security practices against the ISO 27001 standard and their peers.

About Wolcott Group
Wolcott Group is one of the top U.S. firms for standards-based, information security training, consulting, and technology solutions. Wolcott Group is a member of the IT Governance Institute, an authorized training center for the Holistic Information Security Practitioner (HISP) certification, and an authorized BSi Management Systems' Associate Consultant for training and consulting on ISO 27001/27002. Wolcott Group is an IBM Premier Business Partner, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, and also partners with other information security technology vendors to help its clients to improve their information security practices. For more information, please visit Wolcott Group's web site.

CompTIA Announces Second Annual SoftwareCEO Software Innovation Awards

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Winners will be recognized at Software Marketing Perspectives Conference & Expo.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. (Vocus/PRWEB ) January 31, 2008 — The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) announced today that nominations are now being accepted for the second annual SoftwareCEO Software Innovation Awards.

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Software companies, software service providers and companies serving the software industry are eligible for the awards, which will recognize technological and business model breakthroughs that deliver innovations in software and content delivery. Products, ideas, services, companies, and business models are eligible.

The second annual SoftwareCEO Software Innovation Awards will be presented at the Software Marketing Perspectives Conference & Expo May 7-9, 2008 at the Santa Clara (Calif.) Convention Center.

Criteria for the awards include:

  • Scope of the innovation – What business problem or opportunity does the innovation address and what is the size of the problem or opportunity?
  • Impact of the innovation on software or the software industry – What practical results (such as sales, users or profits) has the innovation had on a software product or the software industry? Innovations must be new and have both a current and future impact.
  • How novel is the innovation? How does the innovation break with traditional ideas or processes?

A panel of industry experts will evaluate the nominations and determine finalists and Software Innovation Award winners. For complete rules and other information, visit http://www.softwareceo.com/awards/innovation_awards.php.

SoftwareCEO is a resource-packed electronic newsletter and web portal built by software executives for software executives. It is "Page One" for software industry information and education on topics such as software marketing, sales, business, pricing, financing, and services. For more information, visit http://www.softwareceo.com/.

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world's $3 trillion information technology industry. CompTIA membership extends into more than 100 countries and includes companies at the forefront of innovation; the channel partners and solution providers they rely on to bring their products to market; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their technology investments. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.

Steven Ostrowski
Director, Corporate Communications
CompTIA
630-678-8468
http://www.softwareceo.com/

PacketTrap Announces Public Beta for pt360 v1.1

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Free network monitoring and diagnostic solution available now.

San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) January 29, 2008 — PacketTrap Networks (www.PacketTrap.com) today announced that the IT community can now download and try pt360v1.1, a highly-differentiated network management solution that helps users streamline network monitoring and diagnostic tasks. The open beta program gives users a peek at a new Cisco configuration application that allows users to download, edit, compare, upload, and archive configuration files as well as decrypt passwords for Cisco products using a single network management tool. It also premieres a redesigned interface that includes new time saving and enhanced productivity features such as one-click diagnostic tool runs and full screen mode for ptDashboard. PacketTrap's pt360v1.1 also includes recently-added features such as Syslog server, disk utilization, and network utilization gadgets. The Beta is available now at http://www.PacketTrap.com/download/download_pt360.html.

In less than eight weeks, there have been more than 7,000 registrations of the pt360 Network Management Tool Suite. It is being used by customers from Boeing Corporation, Cisco Systems, IBM, Home Depot, Pfizer, State of Alaska, US Navy and Volvo Corporation. "It is incredibly rare to be able to accomplish everything you need using only one tool; the reality is that additional tools are usually necessary and because of the plethora of tools available, the challenge is selecting the right tools," said Larry Burton from Enterprise Management Associates. "The newest release of pt360v1.1 includes the best Cisco configuration tool I've seen to-date, which stays committed to PacketTrap's mission to integrate and simplify. Users will definitely be interested in this one."

  "The advances in pt360v1.1 demonstrate PacketTrap's dedication to and understanding of the IT community and their network management problems," said Steve Goodman, CEO of PacketTrap. "Our network management tool suite makes use of an iGoogle gadget-like GUI that includes essential proprietary and open source tools so network engineers can quickly diagnose and rectify a network problem. Features such as device groups, favorites and powerful dataflow capabilities are what differentiate pt360 from other network monitoring vendors."

The beta program previews pt360v1.1 with new and enhanced features such as:

  • Cisco configuration application that combines six functionalities into one tool
  • Syslog server
  • Key server monitoring
  • Network utilization gadgets
  • Disk utilization tool
  • Improved centralized dashboard interface

For more information: www.PacketTrap.com/product/pt360/ts-main.html

About PacketTrap Networks
PacketTrap is favored among the IT community for its seamless integration of network monitoring and diagnostic tools into a centralized dashboard. PacketTrap's flagship solution, the pt360, provides IT professionals with a 360 degree view of their network and lets them discover, monitor, and manage their IT infrastructure from a single screen. The suite includes Cisco configuration tools, a TFTP server, WMI, SNMP, and Port Scans, and gadgets to monitor all flavors of operating systems and servers. PacketTrap is committed to providing affordable and robust alternatives to needlessly complex, poorly supported marketing offerings.

Tilana partners with Hostway to Offer Powerful Online File Protection and Storage

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Partnership leverages Tilana’s advanced application and Hostway’s exceptional infrastructure and support services.

 

Chicago, Illinois (Vocus/PRWEB ) January 29, 2008 — Hostway Corporation, the global Web hosting leader, is pleased to announce a new partnership with San Diego-based Tilana Systems Corporation. Under the terms of the partnership, Hostway will provide managed hosting services for Tilana’s storage platform, including system architecture and monitoring, billing, provisioning, and customer relationship management tools. Also, Hostway is now offering Tilana’s unique data management solution through its Gate.com hosting brand.

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Tilana Reserve is a premium online data management service that includes encrypted CDP (continuous data protection), folder and file sync across multiple computers, and automatic unlimited versioning, all through a secure and Web accessible Personal Digital Archive™. The service goes beyond the basic online backup-archive-retrieval model, first by providing the best implementation of each component, but further by also including an innovative combination of features, functionality, and pricing.

“Hostway’s global infrastructure, combined with their proven billing, provisioning and customer service tools make the process of bringing an advanced solution such as Tilana to market much easier than it would be to develop the infrastructure on our own,” said Joe Austin, Tilana CEO. “Instead of investing time, money, and human resources on managing infrastructure, we can focus on delivering the most powerful data management application in the industry.”

In addition to providing infrastructure and customer support services to Tilana, Hostway is also marketing the data protection service through its Gate.com hosting brand, under the name GateVault. The service features a unique pricing structure called PayOnceTM. For a $2 per GB one-time fee, subscribers can store any personal or business media, whether it’s a backup copy or offloaded as an archive. Ongoing access to the remotely-stored data is an unchanging $14.95 per month, regardless of how much space is consumed in the data center, and additional storage space is always available at the same PayOnce $2 per GB. GateVault launched in December and is fully available to both current and non-Gate.com customers.

"Our customers are accumulating data at an astonishing rate, and the need to protect and manage that valuable information is also growing” said John Enright, Hostway’s vice president of marketing and business development. “Since they already entrust us with the storage and management of their website data, providing an advanced tool such as GateVault to manage the rest of their critical data is a natural extension of the value that we provide to our customers”

The desktop software is a free download, installs in about a minute and requires little configuration. Users can enable an unlimited number of computers and selectively protect and synchronize files and folders on those computers using a single GateVault account.

After initial all-file upload, data transmissions containing any saved changes to protected files are quickly transferred to the data center where they are stored in the user’s personal remote storage for as long as needed. Version histories are immediately available through the desktop software or through the Web interface, which can be securely accessed from most PC and smart phone browsers.

For more information on GateVault, visit http://www.gate.com/online-backup/.

About Hostway Corporation
Hostway Corporation provides domain name registration, Web hosting and ecommerce, colocation, managed dedicated hosting, SaaS hosting, Web design and online marketing services to more than 600,000 customers and over 2 million Web sites worldwide. It operates state-of-the art data centers that reduce the complexity and cost of Web-based technologies for small businesses and large enterprises. Founded in 1998, Hostway is one of the world’s largest Web hosting companies with a direct presence in 11 countries, 15 worldwide operation centers and more than 700 employees.

About Tilana Systems Corporation
San Diego based Tilana Systems Corporation makes storage useful, by combining continuous data protection, permanent archival, web access, version history, and multi-computer synchronization into one affordable service. Tilana Systems Corporation’s first product offering, Tilana Reserve, uses software installed on the desktop to securely transmit files between the user’s protected PCs and personal remote storage space. Please visit the Tilana web site (http://www.tilana.com) for more information on Tilana Reserve and Tilana Systems Corp.

Hostway Press Contact
Lyza Swearingen Latham
Director of Marketing
Hostway Corporation
954-334-8139
publicity(at)HostwayCorp(dot)com

Tilana Press Contact
Derek Finley
VP Marketing
Tilana Systems Corporation
619-807-1437
derek(at)tilana(dot)com

INOVA Revolutionizes the Automotive Diagnostic Industry with New CanOBD2.com Website and RepairSolut

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Consumers and DIYers can now get all the information they need to repair their cars like a pro.

Fountain Valley, Calif. (PRWEB) January 29, 2008 — Equus Products, Inc., automotive aftermarket manufacturer, announced today the release of Its CanOBD2.com® website, which delivers a comprehensive RepairSolutions™ system to end-users. It is designed to compliment the company's INNOVA® branded "Check Engine" tools, headlined by the #3100, which is the industry's number-one selling OBD2 tool with over 400,000 pieces sold. A major industry milestone, this VIN-specific, Internet-database repair solutions portal is expected to revolutionize the way do-it-yourselfers and consumers approach automotive repairs.

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"The CanOBD2 website and RepairSolutions database have been under development for over a decade, and mark a major milestone for our company and the industry," said Keith Andreasen, ASE double-master technician and Innova's director of technical services. "Yesterday it was acceptable to sell tools to people without offering them any help in solving their problems. Today, we have raised the standard of OBD tools. Not only will customers be able to get our popular selection of tools and ASE-certified technical support, but now we can provide them with a complete repair solution, including how to fix their problem."

When used in conjunction with the INNOVA® line of diagnostic tools, the CanOBD2.com website and MyRepairSolutions™ portal are the most comprehensive diagnostic solution in the industry. Consumers and DIYers alike can register for free to become a CanOBD2.com MyRepairSolutions member, where they gain access to interactive content, including the most comprehensive and accurate fixes to diagnostic codes anywhere on the web. This extensive knowledge database that, until now, only a professional technician would have access to lets users:
· Pinpoint why their "Check Engine" light is on
· Get a better understanding of why the failure occurred
· Print a free basic report with trouble code definitions, monitor status and freeze frame data
· Vehicle profile to track vehicle history, complete preliminary diagnosis worksheets
· Access a full library of diagnostic trouble codes, tech tips
· Get ready for a state vehicle emissions "smog" test, and more

The CanOBD2.com website also features technical service bulletins (TSBs) and vehicle recall information; support from ASE Certified technicians; and information about the INNOVA line of tools; with more features and functions planned in the future. More importantly, RepairSoutions™ offers users the opportunity to purchase a comprehensive Advanced Report. This advanced report, which costs under $10, even provides estimates on parts needed for the repair, labor time required, plus TSBs and recall information.

With nearly one million OBD2 tools sold in fewer than six years, Innova Electronics is a leading developer of diagnostic tools for the automotive aftermarket. According to Andreasen, the company prides itself on listening to its customers and providing the most comprehensive technical support for its products.

"About a third of all calls received into Innova's technical call center were from people asking how to fix the code displayed on their diagnostic tool. Now, all they have to do is plug their tool into a PC that will automatically launch CanOBD2.com and MyRepairSolutions personal portal, using the included RepairSolutions software, to provide knowledge on how to fix the problem and repair the vehicle themselves," said Andreasen. "Previously you could get repair solutions from books or by subscribing to an online service, but until now you couldn't pinpoint the problem specific to your particular vehicle and particular situation – and certainly not at such an affordable cost. CanOBD2.com's RepairSolutions is like CliffNotes® for car repairs. It literally takes you right to the page, paragraph and diagram you need to get the repair done right the first time."

Innova's RepairSolutions knowledgebase has been under development for over 10 years, and includes thousands of fixes for thousands of actual in-use vehicles, input by a nationwide network of thousands of ASE-certified mechanics. It is supplemented by OEM data; licensed information from Thompson Delmar; and updated as well as validated daily by members, consultants and ASE Master technicians.    It includes diagnostic data and solutions for most 1996 and newer OBD2-compliant cars, light trucks, minivans and SUVs – foreign and domestic.

When Equus Products introduced its INNOVA® 3100 OBD2 Diagnostic Tool, it took the automotive DIY industry by storm with its ease of use and price point. That was six years and over 400,000 pieces sold ago. Today, the demand for these OBD2 tools shows no sign of slowing. DIYers, professional technicians and consumers are looking for efficient ways to diagnose "Check Engine" light issues. In addition to the debut of CanOBD2.com and RepairSolutions, the company continues to expand its family of OBD tools, with the recent addition of its INNOVA® 3130 CanOBD2® Scan Tool and the INNOVA® 3120 CanOBD2&1 Tool KitTM. Both include powerful PC-based shop software and are Internet flash updateable for future coverage. Innova tool owners can quickly and easily join RepairSolutions by plugging their tool into their PC and clicking "upgrade" when the current software launches. And if you don't own a CanOBD2 tool, you can still benefit from RepairSolutions. Just visit www.CanOBD2.com for more information.

About Equus Products, Inc.:
Fountain Valley, Calif.-based Equus Products, Inc., is an ISO 9001: 2000 certified company, and a leading manufacturer and distributor of test equipment, gauges and tachometers for the automotive aftermarket. Celebrating a quarter century since being founded in 1982, the company markets and distributes its line under the EQUUS® brand to major retail and WD accounts throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1990, Innova Electronics Corporation was acquired for research, design and product development. Products developed under this division carry the INNOVA® brand. The company's automotive test equipment is sold at more than 12,000 retail outlets in North America. The company's products are supported by a team of ASE Certified Technical Support via toll-free 800 number and website. For more information, visit www.CanOBD2.com or www.iEquus.com, or email: sales@iEquus.com.

(Media Note: To schedule an interview with company executives, demo a product or request high-res photos, please contact Brendan McShane via email: BrendanM @ iEquus.com)

Thrrum Cameraphone Search Connects the Real World With the Amazon.com Online Store

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Amazon.com customers can now use Thrrum Cameraphone Search to click, shop and buy products visually.

Mountain View, CA (PRWEB) January 29, 2008 — 23half Inc., a pioneer of technologies that extend the functionality of camera phones, announced the capability to purchase products from Amazon.com using their Thrrum Cameraphone Search mobile phone software. The addition of the purchase capability enables users of Thrrum Cameraphone Search to not only find and research products visually using their cameraphones but also order them from Amazon.com using their phone. Thrrum Cameraphone Search is available for download from http://www.thrrum.com.

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"Thrrum Cameraphone Search has been the first commercial product to offer the exciting visual click-to-search feature," said K. Gopalakrishnan, CEO of 23half. "Now with the purchase option, Thrrum Cameraphone Search offers the complete shopping experience from price lookup to shopping for alternatives to payments and delivery, in a visual paradigm, powered by the camera in your phone. Users of camera phones can point their camera phone at a book, a product label or any printed material, click to get relevant search results, and order the product right inside the Thrrum Cameraphone Search software on their phone. With Thrrum, your camera phone is the bridge between the product you have in your hand and the products you want delivered to your home."

With more than 500 million camera phones sold annually, Gartner Research predicts camera phones sales to exceed 1 billion by 2010. Combined with ever increasing adoption of wireless data connectivity, the connected camera in phones presents a new platform for innovation.

Thrrum Cameraphone Search brings together visual recognition technologies and information search in the context of camera phones. Based on technology first demonstrated by 23half in 2005 in the "nThrum" technology demonstrator, Thrrum Cameraphone Search presents a unique 1-click approach to hyperlinking physical objects with related information. The Thrrum Cameraphone Search technology is protected by an extensive suite of patents pending worldwide.

About 23half Inc.
23half Inc. is a Mountain View, CA based developer of wireless information services. 23half's premier contextual information service for camera phones, Thrrum Cameraphone Search, transforms camera phones into visual information browsers for the physical environment.

New Payroll Software Customized for Small Businesses

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2008 ezPaycheck Payroll Software was designed with help from the same customers who use it, so it is arguably the most user-friendly product to ever hit the market.

Louisville, KY (PRWEB) January 29, 2008 — The champagne has barely lost its chill from ringing in the New Year, but already small business owners are stressing over the looming tax season. But 2008 should be a year to celebrate for those who hate to do taxes and get overwhelmed by accounting and payroll headaches, thanks to newly revamped payroll software from ezPaycheck.

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"We intentionally engineered this software for those end-users who are not professional accountants and payroll tax experts," explains Dr. Mark Ge, President and Founder of ezPaycheck. "You don't even need to have much knowledge of computers. We believe small business software should be simple – stupid simple – so that owners can focus their time and energy on running their businesses, not trying to figure out how to run payroll software."

The affordable, super-simple, custom streamlined payroll and tax software – available at http://www.halfpricesoft.com/index.asp – was designed with direct input and guidance from those who use it "in the trenches" every day. The newly upgraded version of the already popular product was updated with new state and federal tax tables, plus other intelligent changes recommended by customers.

"We believe payroll and tax software should be designed for the non-technical people who are actual end-users," explains Mark Ge, President and Founder of ezPaycheck. "We always keep in mind that our customers are small business owners, not computer whizzes or financial gurus. But that makes them the best possible people to listen to when designing payroll software, so we include them as members of our design team."

2008 features based on recent customer feedback include fresh new report formats, label changes, and the elimination of minor report display and printout "bugs". The software can be used to report employee wages and salaries to federal, state, and local agencies, with a duplicate copy for the employee. Users also now have the option of manually adding local tax information for jurisdictions such as California, where this is particularly important.

A sample company database eliminates the need for configuration of the software. You simply install it and it is automatically ready to print the first sample check, on either blank computer checks or preprinted checks. The payroll software automatically calculates Federal Withholding Tax, Social Security, Medicare Tax and Employer Unemployment Taxes, and includes built-in tax tables for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

With ezPaycheck you can also simultaneously manage payrolls for multiple companies. Thanks to this multi-tasking feature, ezPaycheck software is even used by professional accountants to help process multiple client workloads at the same time. Best of all, the company offers a 30-day free trial. No registration is required and there is absolutely no obligation, giving business owners a good reason to continue celebrating all year long.

**Media Interviews Available**

For More Information Please Contact:

halfpricesoft.com P.O. Box 17067 Louisville, KY 40217 USA
email: services(at)halfpricesoft.com
Fax: (866) 909-6448

or visit the ezPaycheck Web Site at : http://www.halfpricesoft.com

SaberLogic Releases Logicity Crystal Reports Viewer and Management Software

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SaberLogic releases Logicity, a Crystal Reports viewer and management application. With both free and professional versions available, Logicity provides affordable report management and distribution capabilities normally only found on other high-end report management applications.

Wadsworth, OH (PRWEB) January 29, 2008 — SaberLogic has announced the release of Logicity, a Crystal Reports viewer and management application. In addition to providing the ability to view and refresh the data on pre-developed Crystal Reports, the free version of Logicity allow users to print, save, email, and export reports. The Professional version of Logicity allows users to schedule reports, password protect reports, use run-time variables, and even pass parameters via command-line. It also offers end users a streamlined, workspace interface from which to organize and execute reports.

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Logicity utilizes a special file called an RRD (report runtime definition) to control the performance of Crystal Reports for end users. RRD files can be set-up to replicate the functionality of many high-end report management applications. Logicity can be used to save report instances, schedule the delivery of reports, log the execution of reports by end users for compliance requirements, and even Crystal Reports bursting.

Logicity is a ground-up re-write and re-branding of SaberLogic RPT Tool, which had been available for free since 2002. Logicity was developed with .NET architecture and was built using the Business Objects toolkit. It is compatible with Crystal Reports versions 8.5, 9, 10 and XI. Crystal Reports 2008 compatibility will be available by the second quarter of 2008.

Logicity can be downloaded for free at www.logicitysuite.com. The website also includes documentation and an online forum for free support. Logicity Professional is available for $45 per user or $4,500 for a site license. Installation support is available and technical support incidents can be purchased. Organizations that wish to resell Logicity should contact SaberLogic for more information.

For more information on Logicity and Logicity Professional, please contact Eli J Remington or visit www.logicitysuite.com.

About SaberLogic:
SaberLogic is a Crystal Reports consulting and custom programming firm located in Wadsworth, Ohio. Started in 2002, SaberLogic now serves hundreds of clients from SMB to Fortune 500. SaberLogic is a Business Objects bronze partner.

ChicagoCon 2008s – World Class Security Training & Ethical Hacking Conference

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ChicagoCon 2008s from May 12 – 18, 2008 features all new keynoters, additional security boot camps, exams on-site followed by two days of ethical hacking presentations and breakout sessions. And without an exhibit hall full of sales pitches, you're free to learn from the pros, network with peers and advance your infosec career.

 

Westchester, IL (PRWEB) January 29, 2008 — Presented by the Ethical Hacker Network (EH-Net) and its parent company, The Digital Construction Company (TDCC), ChicagoCon is positioned to become the premier security event in the industry by bringing together the biggest names in education and certification under one roof for a week of security training like no other. With boot-camp style, hands-on classroom training, the (s)pring edition of ChicagoCon will host 13 courses from May 12 – 16 featuring a cross-section of the security landscape. We will also showcase researchers and InfoSec professionals during the conference portion of the event from May 16 – 17. From the novice, to the ultimate techie to those reaching for the CISO chair… everyone interested in a career in security will find something at ChicagoCon, your one-stop shop for security training and certification.

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But ChicagoCon is not just another boot camp, security conference or hacker con. It's all of those wrapped into one. By providing top instructors, well known certifications, and 2 days of presentations, this unique event adds plenty of additional value to already strained training budgets. As a bonus, daily keynote addresses by industry experts Special Agent Patrick M. Geahan (FBI Cyber Crimes Division), Ralph R. Echemendia (world renowned hacking instructor), Mike Murray (Director Neohapsis Labs) and James Shewmaker (SANS GIAC Advisory Board) will be presented only to the training students. Luke McOmie of TruTV's Tiger Team will provide the opening keynote for the conference on Friday afternoon for all to enjoy.

"With the support shown during the first ChicagoCon last September, the Chicagoland area has not only shown the capacity to host a world-class security event but also the desire to have it thrive for years to come," says TDCC CEO, Deana L. Donzal. Wider educational support continues to grow as well with the addition of Microsoft, Offensive Security, the SANS Institute, and the Security Certified Program (SCP). They join current educational sponsors CompTIA, EC-Council, IACRB, (ISC)2, LearnSecurityOnline and the SOX Institute.

When it comes to training and certification, instructors make all the difference in the world. For that reason, TDCC chose to partner with award winning training providers, Training Camp (Premier Partner), InfoSec Institute, Offensive Security and the SANS Institute and all are offering discounts to their normal prices for all ChicagoCon attendees. Together the assembled list of instructors is impressive, all of which are prominently displayed with full biographies to bring the following 5-Day classes:

Management

– PMP/CAPM – Project Management
– SOX Compliance
– CISSP — Security Management (7-Day Course with exam on-site)

Beginner

– Ethical Hacking Fundamentals with CompTIA's Network+ and Security+
– CCNA – Cisco Certified Network Associate (Covers New CCENT and CCNA Material)
– Microsoft ISA Server 2006 (70-351)

Intermediate

– CEH (CNDA) – Certified Ethical Hacker
– CHFI – Certified Hacking Forensics Investigator
– ECSA – EC-Council Certified Security Analyst

Advanced Hacking

– BackTrack to the Max (Exclusive First Run EVER)
– CEPT – Certified Expert Penetration Tester
– Web Application Hacking

Special 2-Day Workshop (Wednesday & Thursday)

SANS' Cutting-Edge Hacking Techniques – Hands On (Developed by Ed Skoudis and taught by keynoter James Shewmaker)

To register for a training course or see pricing information, please visit the ChicagoCon Web Site and click "Register Now!"

All students of ChicagoCon training get free admission to the "con" activities on May 16 – 17. Included are numerous hour-long presentations from top researchers and educators, extended breakout sessions (topics include penetration testing, SCADA security, Microsoft security technologies, and open source hacking tools) as well as hacking contests. Admission to the conference will only cost $100 for all others.

Learning and practical experience are the hallmarks of this event. With a plush 180-seat, stadium-style auditorium for the keynotes and presentations, the facilities also have separate classrooms with computers and the courseware provided for the students, whiteboards and projectors for the instructors, as well as meeting space and lounge areas for all to eat, study and network with colleagues. And with the exams being provided on site, there is every reason to believe that all students will go home with an industry recognized credential in hand. When all is said and done, the students will be exhausted not from simply sitting and listening but rather gaining real, hands-on skills. All participants will leave Chicago feeling fully satisfied with the investment made in themselves and their company.

Donald C. Donzal, Editor-In-Chief of EH-Net and organizer of ChicagoCon, states, "In order to get Chicago to be synonymous again with world-class technology events, it's going to take creativity to put a new spin on the 'events of old' and career advancement must be the focus. With the work ethic of a blue collar town, the best sports fans anywhere, even better food, throw in the brain power of the Chicago IT community, and there is no better host city in the world than the 3rd largest US and 24th largest global metropolis."

To reach this highly targeted market, review the extremely affordable sponsorship opportunities.

About Training Camp
Training Camp is the recognized leader for providing accelerated learning courses that offer information technology professionals rapid skills transfer and accelerated time to competency. Training Camp's programs cover the industry's most in-demand vendor and vendor-neutral certifications for information technology. Training Camp, founded in 1998, is a privately held company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. http://www.trainingcamp.com

About The InfoSec Institute
InfoSec Institute was founded in 1998 by a group information security instructors that desired to build a business by offering the best possible training experience for students. Our wide range of security specific classes help a diverse group of customers get the training they deserve. Our satisfied customers include the CIA, NSA, FBI, US Army, Microsoft, HP, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and many others. http://www.infosecinstitute.com

About The Digital Construction Company
The Digital Construction Company is a Chicagoland business founded with a mission to educate and push the careers of information technology professionals through its many properties including online magazines, the Certified Security Professional and the Ethical Hacker Network, and our training event, ChicagoCon. ChicagoCon is a Service Mark of TDCC. http://www.digitalconstructionco.com

Workbook Empowers Entrepreneurs to Overcome Expectations of Failure

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Statistics indicate that most entrepreneurs who create their own business fail to achieve long-term success, prompting many people to think twice about pursuing this career path. A new workbook from JIST Publishing offers insight into why entrepreneurs fail to achieve success and provides step-by-step strategies for developing a healthy and profitable business.

Indianapolis, IN (PRWEB) January 27, 2008 — Despite little business experience and even less money, aspiring entrepreneurs can still successfully start their own business, according to Linda Gilkerson and Theresia Paauwe, co-authors of the newly-released Self-Employment: From Dream to Reality, Third Edition workbook.

"Successful entrepreneurs come from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences. Age, gender, marital status, and education levels do not seem to be significant factors for success," says Gilkerson.

Nevertheless, many people think twice about making the leap to self-employment and ultimately abandon their aspirations for fear of failure. Considering some statistics, it's easy to understand why people hesitate to begin their own business. For example, one in three new businesses fail within six months and three of four start ups shut down within five years, state Gilkerson and Pauuwe.

Although the statistics appear discouraging, they don't necessarily tell the whole story. "Many of the 'failures' are more accurately called 'career changes,' as no money was lost and the closure of the company was voluntary. In fact, many owners of the closed business considered their business successful but decided to cease operation for many reasons. The hours were too long, the market changed, or the owners could make more money working for someone else," says Paauwe.

It can be difficult for aspiring entrepreneurs to forecast the success of their business six months in advance, let alone five years down the road. A well-crafted business plan, however, is a person's best chance at achieving long-term success with their business, says Gilkerson and Paauwe. Their workbook Self Employment: From Dream to Reality, Third Edition, teaches people how to develop a smart business plan. According to Gilkerson and Pauuwe, the following are a few ways a strong plan can play a significant role in a business's survival and success, including:

  • A business plan can give you the confidence to start your business, or it can help you realize that your business idea is not a good one. Before making the final decision, think through the answers to many questions about the product or service, customers, pricing, marketing, and potential cash flow. Business plans provide a process for answering those questions in an organized and logical way.
  • A business plan is a small business's best tool for raising money. Most financial institutions will insist on a business plan to evaluate the idea. This gives the loan officer information about the potential business and allows him or her to evaluate the business's creditworthiness.
  • A business plan can be a marketing tool. A written plan creates a clearer picture of the business. This will help explain what services or products the business will provide, who the customers will be, and what the goals are for the business. Have employees read the business plan so they understand what should be accomplished.

Self Employment: From Dream to Reality is available from the publisher (www.jist.com or 1.800.648.JIST). For a free media copy or to speak with the authors, contact Natalie Ostrom.

JIST, America's Career Publisher, is a division of EMC/Paradigm Publishing and is the leading publisher of job search, career, occupational information, life skills and character education books, workbooks, assessments, videos and software.