eNewsWire

Downturn brings rising demand for agility from techies, claims Firebrand Training

IT workers must steer their companies through the downturn by developing innovative, bespoke applications and embracing emerging models such as cloud computing, according to Rob Chapman, CEO of Firebrand.

In response to rising demand for skills in this area, Firebrand Training today unveiled two new courses which focus on developing bespoke web-based applications. Chapman said demand for places is already high as companies recognise the need to innovate through the downturn.

Firebrand Training has developed unique Accelerated Learning courses to provide application developers with the skills and knowledge to create web applications using Microsoft’s ASP.NET 3.5 framework.

The courses are ideal for developers who use Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.
Rob Chapman, CEO of Firebrand Training, said: “Even successful companies tend not to

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An industry White Paper by IT certification experts, Firebrand Training warns that a lack of wireless security threatens future of the UK small business community – SMEs must think like hackers to beat them at their own game.

SMEs are endangering critical corporate information because they are failing to adequately secure their wireless networks.

Failure to change preset simple ‘admin’ security settings, or choosing easy-to-crack passwords and allowing the network to be visible to potential attackers are the three most common mistakes made by small and medium businesses with their wireless setup.

Firebrand Training is urging SMEs to take a more proactive approach to their wireless security – and they say it is by learning the tricks used by hackers that they will stay one step ahead of potential attacks.

The Accelerated Learning pioneer has launched a White Paper “Wireless networks: are we just
leaving the stable door wide open?”,outlining the key strategies employed by hackers against corporate wireless networks. It is by understanding the tactics used in a hacking attack, SMEs can pre-test their wireless networks for the potential weaknesses which could be compromised in a real life breach.

The White Paper also recommends using tools implemented by hackers to glean information about a wireless network before an attack. Common tricks used by hackers include ‘sniffers’ such as Kismet, penetration tools like the Aircrack suite and tracers such as Netstumbler are set out as potentially helpful elements to test a network’s resilience.

The full White Paper can be found on the Firebrand website http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk along with all details of all their IT network and security training courses.

“Many SMEs may not have a dedicated team in charge of network security, but this is no excuse for not having the necessary measures in place,” said Rob Chapman, CEO, Firebrand Training. “Wireless networks are highly convenient and extremely quick to implement but if simple security measures are ignored, wireless weaknesses could open the door to a devastating hack attack.”

“Know your enemy,” Chapman continued, “Tracking the footprints of an attack before it happens, and taking effective steps to protect the network against specific threats will be the only way small businesses will ensure their data remains secure and in the right hands.”

To download a copy of the full White Paper please go to: http://www.firebrandtraining.co.uk/pdf/Wireless_Network_Security_Whitepaper_Firebrand_Training.pdf

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Firebrand Training, an accelerated learning expert, has slashed the Prince2 certification time. The new Prince2 course is the fastest in Europe and extra courses have been scheduled to handle the high demand.

The IT project management course now takes just five days for both Foundation and Practitioner levels. This consolidation has meant Firebrand Training has been able to add several more Prince2 courses to its already packed schedule this summer to cope with demand.

A Prince2 qualification is a valuable, industry-recognised credential that signifies a proven level of knowledge and ability. At Firebrand Training students learn the skills necessary to make them stand out from the competition.

Qualified Prince2 project managers can expect to earn on average 28 per cent more than non-qualified professionals.

“This Prince2 course had proved popular with employees wanting to step up the career ladder over the summer,” said Rob Chapman, CEO and co-founder of Firebrand Training. “The ability to complete this course in one working week makes it very attractive to employees and employers alike.”

“With the UK soon to be entering into a skills crisis, the quicker employees can get qualified and back to work, the better. The fact that this course has been so popular is an indication that times might be changing,” he continued.

About PRINCE2 Program:

PRINCE2 was originally developed by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) now part of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in 1989 as a UK Government standard for IT project management.

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The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) programme has long been the key certification programme in the IT sector. Firebrand Training, the accelerated learning specialists welcome the new qualifications introduced by Microsoft to replace it and offer guidance on the new “techno speak-free” training courses.

The IT world is known for its love of the TLA – three letter acronym – but to outsiders it can make an already confusing sector more difficult to understand. Combine this with geeky technology and techno speak and it’s easy to get lost in the jargon, especially with more acronyms like MCSE, MCP, MCSP and MCSA.

Firebrand Training (www.firebrandtraining.co.uk), specialists in advanced learning courses have long heard the pleas from HR Professionals to guide them towards the right courses and now, help is at hand. Microsoft has revamped its MCP certification programme to make it far more transparent and easier to understand for anyone looking to hire or train staff in the Microsoft world of technology.

What’s the story for the IT world?

Microsoft recently launched the next generation of certifications for IT professionals looking to prove their experience in the technology world, replacing the MCP. They are designed to provide a much simpler framework to validate technical, professional and architectural skills based around Microsoft solutions. The Microsoft qualifications that IT professionals have been focussing on in recent years are the MCSE, MCSP and MCSA courses, all of which are being re-vamped.

Replacing the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) programme, which had a one size fits all feel when it came to technology specialisms, these new qualifications are designed to be reflect the holder’s specific knowledge and range of expertise. They can cover anything from server and enterprise administration to .NET and Vista.

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This month, Microsoft will officially launch its eagerly awaited Server 2008 platform. But what is it – and what does this mean for IT, HR and businesses as a whole?

Server 2008 will be introduced as a replacement for Server 2003 and is essentially a more stripped-back version of its predecessor. Designed to increase business functionality, Server 2008 will work best with the Microsoft Vista operating system.

So what has changed? Following user demand for increased functionality, Server 2008 will offer improved security and fewer pre-installed applications. Ultimately, this creates a more stable platform that allows companies to use only the relevant elements, rather than being burdened by running useless applications.

IT leads the way

The switch to Server 2008 is likely to be a gradual one that will take place over the next two or three years. But in order to take advantage of the new platform fully, the IT department must lead the way and pre-empt the changes by ensuring their MCSE and MCSA skills and qualifications are fully up-to-date.

Firstly, IT professionals will need to upgrade their existing Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) qualification to the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) certification. This upgrade involves an exam and is the most basic-level qualification to demonstrate expertise in core areas of Microsoft technology.

Existing MCSE training courses will still be available for IT professionals wishing to work with Server 2003. However, the MCIPT (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) qualification will eventually replace the MCSE altogether. The MCITP will reflect the move towards Server 2008 and will disregard Server 2003 completely, and with it, the MCSE.

The MCITP (replacing the MCSE) will be more closely linked to specific job roles and will cover operational processes, operational procedures and the analysis of business problems. The next (and highest) step is the MCA (Microsoft Certified Architect) qualification, which covers technical breadth and depth, communication, strategy, organisational politics, progress and leadership.

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