Earning specialized certifications is a surefire way to advance your career in the IT field, regardless of industry or current career level. The right certification validates your skills and knowledge, which makes you more desirable to future employers who want to attract and retain the best employees. Below, we’ll explore the top IT certifications and share how to examine your goals to choose the right path forward. 

If you want your business to secure the most lucrative IT contracts, it’s essential to prove your expertise. The best way to achieve this is by earning professional certifications from top names like Microsoft. You just need the right test prep.

Featuring 11 full-length video courses, the Complete 2024 Microsoft Tech Certification Training Super Bundle provides the ideal groundwork for your tech education in 2024. The included content is worth $429, but you can get lifetime access for only $79.99 via TechRepublic Academy.

If you work in IT or cybersecurity, you’re pretty much guaranteed to come across Microsoft technology. Around 85% of Fortune 500 companies currently use Azure, and many more businesses rely on other Microsoft products. Becoming a Microsoft Certified Expert can help you capture these potential customers.

With 246 hours of content, the 2024 Super Bundle covers a range of certifications and important skills. Through in-depth video tutorials, you learn how to manage multiple devices and identities, develop solutions for Azure, maintain security and more.

Each course works toward a specific certification. For example, you get full prep for Microsoft Security Operations Analyst (SC-200) and Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (AZ-305). The lessons are easy to follow, and they include everything you need to know for the relevant exam.

All the content comes from IDUNOVA, an education provider that has been helping IT professionals for 20 years. You get unlimited on-demand access to all the materials, with streaming on desktop and mobile devices.

Order The Complete 2024 Microsoft Tech Certification Training Super Bundle for only $79.99, saving a massive $349 on the full price.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

According to Act 8270, Virgin Islands Code, persons teaching kindergarten-4 through third grade in the territory’s public schools are required to obtain a professional education license in Early Childhood Education (ECE) by Oct. 1 from the Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBE) in collaboration with the V.I. Department of Education, thereby ensuring that primary grade students are receiving a quality education.

At the board meeting on Oct. 31, 2023, the Board of Education approved a deadline extension for its Early Childhood Education and conditional certifications.

Considering the board’s REL-NEI partner’s completion of the professional development micro-modules, candidates have until Oct. 31, 2024, to exercise ECE certification options as outlined in VIBE’s policy. Visit www.myviboe.com and select the policies tab for more information on the Early Childhood Education Certification.

The incredible opportunity awaits all educators.  Becoming certified is not just a checkbox; it is a key to unlocking new levels of professional growth and impact.

A commitment to certification is an investment that will pay dividends in one’s career and the lives of one’s students.

ISO27001 certification further reaffirms RealVNC's commitment to Information Security and safeguarding customer data

RealVNC, a global leader in remote access solutions, today announced it has received ISO/IEC 27001 certification, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security, data protection and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

ISO 27001 is the world's best-known standard for establishing and maintaining an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Certification means that RealVNC has put systems in place to manage risk related to the security of data owned or processed by the company, and that this system complies with the stringent requirements of the ISO27001 standard.

By implementing the ISO 27001 information security standard, RealVNC empowers users with industry-leading remote access solutions while ensuring the highest standards for risk management, cyber security, resilience, operational excellence, and safeguarding customer data.

“ISO 27001 certification reinforces that security is at the forefront of everything they do, not only in the products they build, but how they operate as a business,” said Andrew Woodhouse, Chief Information officer at RealVNC. “This further solidifies RealVNC's position as the world's most secure remote access solution and gives their customers confidence that they go above and beyond to protect their information and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. They are proud to join an exclusive group of global organizations renowned for their advanced information security practices.”

About RealVNC

RealVNC remote access and remote support solutions comply with or support numerous industry and government standards and regulations. In addition to being ISO27001 certified, RealVNC is GDPR compliant, and supports compliance with HIPAA, PCI-DSS and many other industry regulations. For more information on RealVNC's award-winning remote access and support solutions, please visit www.realvnc.com.

About the ISO/IEC 27001 Standard

ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard that sets out the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ISO 27001 provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information and ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. By achieving this certification, organizations demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive data and establishing effective information security controls.

RealVNC® - Remote access software for desktop and mobile | RealVNC
Secure, cost-effective remote access and support for your computer, from your desktop or mobile device. VNC® Connect enables cloud or direct connectivity.

Ned Vaught
ned.vaught@realvnc.com
+44(0)7969794568

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240102952305/en/

Hyderabad Wellknown Builder Akkala Sudhakar Appointed to Central Board of Film Certification Advisory Panel Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 28: In a noteworthy development for the film industry, Akkala Sudhakar, a distinguished resident of Manchiryala district in Hyderabad, has been appointed as a member of the Central Board of Film Certification Advisory Panel. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the official appointment letter, solidifying Sudhakar's role in contributing to the critical decisions of the board.

This prestigious appointment, effective for tenure of two years, underscores Sudhakar's expertise and commitment to the film sector. His extensive experience and knowledge in the realm of cinema position him as a valuable asset to the advisory panel.

Upon receiving the appointment letter, Sudhakar expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the opportunity. He stated, ''It is an honor to serve on the Central Board of Film Certification Advisory Panel. I am committed to upholding the standards of the industry and contributing to the growth and development of the film sector.'' Akkala Sudhakar's achievement has garnered widespread acclaim, with congratulations pouring in from various quarters. Celebrities, relatives, journalists, and members of the Hyderabad Telangana Film Chamber Committee have extended their warm wishes to Sudhakar for this significant milestone in his career.

The film industry plays a pivotal role in shaping cultural narratives and influencing societal perspectives. With Sudhakar's inclusion in the advisory panel, there is a heightened expectation for informed and judicious decision-making that will impact the cinematic landscape in India.

Sudhakar's passion for cinema and dedication to the art form make him a fitting choice for this esteemed position. His appointment is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the vibrant talent pool within the Hyderabad film community.

As Sudhakar embarks on this new role, the film fraternity eagerly anticipates the positive contributions he will make to the Central Board of Film Certification Advisory Panel. His appointment is a testament to the diversity and richness of talent within the Indian film industry.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story can be found on  South Dakota Searchlight's website. South Dakota Searchlight provides free news and commentary on critical issues facing the state.

The Law Enforcement Officers Standards Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to strip Western Dakota Technical College of its ability to offer a quick path to certification for graduates of its police-focused criminal justice program.

The Rapid City school had been one of three in the state with an “articulation agreement” through the commission. The others are Lake Area Technical College in Watertown and Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls.

Western Dakota was the first to ink an agreement with the state in 1997. Southeast followed in 2005; Lake Area signed its agreement in 2015.

The agreements allow law enforcement-track graduates to bypass a 13-week stint at the Law Enforcement Training Academy and earn “reciprocity” through the commission , meaning their degree and the passage of a reciprocity test are enough to certify them as South Dakota peace officers.

The agreements also allow the commission to terminate the contracts with 60 days’ notice. Commission member Steve Allender told South Dakota Searchlight after Wednesday’s meeting that he doubts there’s a path forward for Western Dakota to return to the commission’s good graces.

“It’s not believed they’re going to be able to come into compliance or that they’re willing to come into compliance,” Allender said.

Each school with an articulation agreement must meet certain requirements. One is for instructors to have, maintain and document a “nationally recognized credential” in their area of expertise.

Last month, the school asked the state to lower its standards for instructor training, according to Hank Prim, the training administrator with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.

“During the course of that conversation, they learned that certain emergency vehicle operation course (EVOC) instructors did not hold the nationally recognized expertise credential,” Prim said.

The school’s December request came after nearly two years of back-and-forth to bring the program back into compliance with expectations, Prim said. As late as November, Prim saw a path forward for the school through remediation.

The late-stage request for an adjustment in standards was a final straw for commissioners.

“It isn’t supposed to be a shortcut,” Andy Howe, the Clay County sheriff and a member of the commission, said after the meeting. “The students put in the effort, and there’s no reason that the standards should be lowered.”

Western Dakota Tech did not attend the commission meeting. Ann Bolman, president of Western Dakota Tech, said in a statement afterward that she was “surprised” to learn of the commission’s decision, and that the school hopes to work with the commission to come back into compliance with program requirements within 60 days. That’s the number of days it takes for a termination to take effect under the terms of the articulation agreement.

Bolman’s statement noted that the school’s program recently earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. An April 2023 press release from the school on that accreditation says the process involved “a rigorous self-assessment, requiring a review of policies, practices, and processes against internationally accepted public safety standards.”

That accreditation doesn’t clear a path for state-level, graduation-based officer certification, but Bolman offered it as evidence that her school’s law enforcement program can prepare students for police work.

“As they strive to meet the highest standards in all of their programs, and were preparing for their next annual audit, they had asked the Commission to please clarify training agencies for EVOC instructors and are awaiting response,” Bolman wrote. “It is their desire to work with the Commission to resolve any concerns it might have and fulfill its reciprocity requirements in the 60-day period before the agreement is slated to end.”

Trouble started in 2022

Western Dakota Tech had been in “noncompliance” status with the state commission since spring of 2023. As with the termination of its agreement this week, the school’s placement in noncompliance status only came after several problems.

In April of 2022, five of the 12 Western Dakota students who took the reciprocity test failed.

Those students, it turned out, hadn’t finished their coursework, Prim said. The school accused the state Division of Criminal Investigation of pushing the students to take the test early, Prim said, and asked that the five be allowed to re-test.

An investigation, which included interviews with students and faculty, revealed that the school had chosen the testing dates, Prim said.

That set in motion a series of meetings, audits, interventions and efforts on the part of the law enforcement training to address four main issues at the school:

• Inaccurate or false reports.
• Students testing before final semester.
• Failure to report required retention information.
• Failure to produce instructor credential records.

The commission was informed that the school had been placed on noncompliance status at its April meeting. At each commission meeting since, Prim has updated its members on remediation plans and potential paths forward.
The Wednesday meeting was the first at which Prim suggested taking action, although he did not recommend termination of the agreement with the school. He presented it as one of three options. Commissioners also could have voted to suspend the school, or continue working through remediation.

After about 40 minutes of discussion in a closed executive session, the commissioners returned to cast their votes in favor of termination.

Reaction from commission

Allender, a former Rapid City police chief who later served as his city’s mayor, told South Dakota Searchlight after the meeting that the loss of Western Dakota Tech as a reciprocity-ready school after so many second chances is “embarrassing.”

“There’s just been either a lack of willingness or lack of ability to come into compliance. There’s been finger pointing, I think, going on. But I’ve seen all the documentation, and I’m embarrassed, not only for Western Dakota, but I’m embarrassed that the state has spent so much time and so much effort trying to get this organization into compliance.”

Commissioner and Lincoln County State’s Attorney Tom Wollman said after the meeting that he cast his vote after considering that the school had “been given ample time to remedy the situation,” but did not seem interested in doing so.

“I was shocked that they didn’t have anybody at the meeting,” Wollman said.

Western Dakota was not notified about or invited to the meeting, spokesperson Pam Stillman-Rokusek said Thursday. DCI spokesman Tony Mangan confirmed that no invitation had been offered.

The loss “certainly doesn’t help” to address a shortage of qualified law enforcement in the state, Allender said. But he also said the school had been producing fewer graduates in latest years.

The statement from the school said that 13 students graduated from the program in spring of 2023. A year earlier, the statement said, nine students made it all the way through.

Howe, the Clay County sheriff, said he doesn’t expect the Western Dakota Tech issue to have a serious long-term impact. There are criminal justice graduates all over the state, educated at other two- and four-year institutions.

“Those programs don’t produce certifications, but they do produce graduates who have that criminal justice focus,” Howe said.

Western Dakota will still have its program, as well, Howe said. At the commission meeting, Prim said that law enforcement trainers will work with the current students in the Western Dakota program to make sure they’re able to take the reciprocity test after completing their coursework.

Bolman, the Western Dakota Tech president, said the school will maintain its law enforcement program, which is one track a student can choose as they work toward a two-year criminal justice degree.

“The reciprocity agreement is not necessary for WDTC to offer the Law Enforcement program,” Bolman wrote. “It is a benefit to employers as it streamlines their onboarding process for new officers. It is the desire of WDTC for the reciprocity agreement to continue as it helps in the effort to meet the workforce shortage for law enforcement agencies.”

Indra Achieves ISO 31030 Certification for Comprehensive Travel Risk Management

(IN BRIEF) Indra has secured the ISO 31030 certification from AENOR, becoming the first Spanish company to do so. The certification acknowledges Indra’s effective management of the travel risks faced by its professionals during business trips, prioritizing their well-being, health, safety, and security. Indra’s compliance with ISO 31030 ensures the protection of employees throughout their travel, from pre-departure preparations to return, offering risk information, monitoring, and robust safety protocols. The company’s commitment to safeguarding its workforce, especially given its global presence, is underscored by its Travel Management System, SIGEDES, and other applications for real-time assistance and geolocation in high-risk situations. This certification enhances trust among Indra’s professionals and demonstrates the organization’s dedication to best practices in safety and talent management.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 4-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Indra has become the first Spanish company to be awarded ISO 31030 (Travel Risk Management) certification from AENOR, which recognizes that the company effectively manages the risk of business travel of its professionals, with a model that guarantees their well-being, health, safety and security. This certification is part of the company’s global risk strategy, which has the ISO 31000 Risk Management Framework certification.

Compliance with ISO 31030 ensures that Indra complies with its duty to protect the safety and security of its employees, who travel on its behalf or are under its responsibility, throughout the duration of their trip and stay abroad: from prior preparation, providing them with information on risk situations, with the appropriate monitoring according to the risk level of the country to which they travel, as well as on their return to their work center.

Key to obtaining this certification was the participation and involvement in the audit of different areas of the company, such as Corporate Security, Insurance, Global Mobility, Joint Prevention Service, Global Risks, Purchasing, Information Security and Privacy.

AENOR, a leading entity in building trust, has highlighted among Indra’s strengths the SIGEDES Travel Management System, which offers professionals clear information on the risks to which they are exposed when traveling, with a complete guide to the country, risk level, and corporate requirements to ensure that their trip is safe through various mechanisms and protocols.

The audit team also highlighted that risk prevention in travel is perceived to be integrated into Indra’s DNA, contributing to the low incidence despite the large number of trips the company makes throughout the year. With a local presence in 46 countries and business operations in more than 140 countries, travel is a regular part of Indra’s business. In 2023 alone, more than 11,500 trips were made, with a net traveling population of 3,200.

Jacqueline Peña, Corporate Security Manager, emphasized that “the success of a company depends on the risk it is willing to take and its ability to manage it. They understand that this certification has a high value for their company and its professionals and shows the commitment of the Board of Directors and Senior Management of the Indra Group to safety and talent, since people are at the heart of their company.”

Nicolás Henríquez, AENOR’s Business Development Director, emphasized that “this certification allows Indra to build trust among its professionals and to do so with the backing of the most highly valued brand. This is a new step that demonstrates the organization’s commitment to best practices.”

With ISO 31030 certification, Indra protects its staff, improves employee confidence in health and safety provisions regarding travel, contributes to business continuity capability worldwide, demonstrates the company’s ability to control its risks effectively and efficiently, and has the ability to act proactively to reduce travel incidents and address them in a timely and efficient manner, should they occur.

Indra and its areas involved continuously assess external risks and review their internal processes to ensure the protection of their personnel. The company periodically undergoes independent audits for the certification of its management and production systems in accordance with the main international standards.

Pioneers in the safety of professionals

For Indra, it is of utmost importance to certain the integrity, safety and health of its professionals. To this end, it has a pioneering system in corporate security, SIGEDES, the Travel Management System, a set of applications that monitor and assist displaced personnel, and which also allows the rapid location of professionals in high-risk countries.

Thanks to this platform, professionals have immediate and real-time access to health and safety information in more than 190 countries and 800 cities, information on vaccinations, diseases, hospitals, emergency services, weather alerts and corporate travel requirements (authorizations, travel insurance…). All these data are analyzed from the Integrated Security Control Center, a 24/7/365 service center, which centralizes the management of the different Indra’s physical security subsystems and applications at an international level.

The company also applies the latest technology to ensure the safety of its professionals through a SILODES emergency geolocation service, a system that allows users to locate and communicate in the event of potential risk situations such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, loss of contact in remote regions, or when traveling in general.

About Indra

Indra (www.indracompany.com) is one of the leading global technology and consulting companies, and a world leader in technological engineering for the aerospace, defence and mobility markets and digital transformation and information technologies in Spain and Latin America through its subsidiary, Minsait. Its business model is based on a comprehensive range of proprietary products, with an end-to-end, high-value approach and a significant innovative component, making it the technological partner for the digitalization and key operations of its clients around the world. Sustainability forms part of its strategy and culture in order to overcome current-day and future social and environmental challenges. In the 2022 fiscal year, Indra achieved revenue totaling €3.851 billion, with almost 57,000 employees, a local presence in 46 countries and business operations in over 140 countries.

About AENOR

AENOR contributes to the transformation of society by building trust between organizations and individuals through compliance assessment services (certification, inspection and testing), training and information. It is the leading trust-building entity in Spain.
As a global entity, it conducts operations in 87 countries in certification, verification, validation, inspection, analysis, training and information service activities. More than 85,200 work centers currently hold one of AENOR’s certifications in fields such as Quality Management, Sustainability, Occupational Health and Safety, Digitalization, Animal Welfare, Non-Financial Information Verification and Compliance.

Media Contact:

Communication & Media Relations
Tel. (+34) 914 809 705
Fax. (+34) 914 809 707
indraprensa@indracompany.com

SOURCE: Indra