CompTIA Blog

IT spending by federal, state and local governments is expected to top $130 billion in 2011. That’s a significant pile of cash and has a number of VARs and MSPs wondering how they can get a piece of it. Other providers have watched from the sidelines, unsure if the government sector revenue is worth the perceived aggravation of red tape and other obstacles. Regardless of which situation describes your business, the opportunities presented by municipalities, as well as state and federal entities, ...

A look at the week of June 27 in public advocacy for the IT channel: This week, small medical practices adopting health IT systems are reporting that the lack of a standard code and software makes communicating between systems a challenge.  The Department of Homeland Security plans to release guidelines for organizations to avoid the most common types of cyberattacks.  Timothy F. Geithner, U.S. Treasury Secretary, told members of the House Small Business Committee that the Treasury wil ...

This past week I attended an event hosted by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE for short) at the Philadelphia Convention Center. I wasn't quite sure what to expect never having attended before. Walking away I was very impressed by the energy, diversity and professionalism of the show. I also left thinking this could have been an education focused hall of a larger IT event. Think Comdex meets classroom.Technology use in education continues to climb the ladder. From colla ...

Two of the hottest areas in tech – cybersecurity and healthcare IT – are focal points at our two upcoming events:  Breakaway and Tech Summit, both co-located in Washington, D.C. in August. Find Best Practices & New Opportunities in IT Security Advancements in cloud computing, wireless capacities and smart technologies all create greater business potential while raising many security questions. At Breakaway, explore the challenges and opportunities in the IT security field. ...

In April, we noted that legislation had been introduced in the House to require a distinct physical presence as a prerequisite for the taxation of interstate business activities.  If this legislation is not enacted, businesses could be subjected to conflicting income tax requirements of competing states on the same transaction, and this will result in increased compliance costs.So now that this legislation has been introduced, how do we move it along?  The key is to show a broad base of support ...

Just about any parent will tell you that co-existence with personal technology is a daily reality. Whether it’s a smart phone, laptop, tablet or gaming console, technology has become a staple in our homes and in the lives of our children.Schools are no different. Today’s kids are learning in ways that simply didn’t exist in any widespread manner a decade ago. Interactive whiteboards, classroom management software, wireless networks and audio augmentation are changing the way teachers teach and s ...

A student from Brazil comes into America on a visa, looking for a quality education. The student ends up gaining admission into one of the nation’s best schools for Science and Technology, graduates with honors and then…heads back home to Brazil.Do you see anything wrong with that picture? Some members of Congress seem to and have introduced legislation aimed at keeping foreign-born students in America after graduation.  The goal is to have them use their newly acquired skills to boost the Ameri ...

Every once in a while, I encounter an article in a science journal or see a television report on the latest developments in jet pack technology. Back in the mid-1970s I saw an early prototype of a single jet backpack in Popular Mechanics magazine, with the pilot going approximately the length of a football field before running out of fuel. It was not only cool, but seemed like something we’d all have access to with a little more development. With all of the advances in other technologies over th ...

The world of cybersecurity continues to evolve whereby the perpetrators of cyber crimes are becoming emboldened in a way we have not seen before, and the U.S. government’s response to these crimes also has evolved in unprecedented ways.Last month the hacker groups Lulsec and Anonymous joined efforts “to launch 'Operation Anti-Security' or 'AntiSec' to expose corrupt, abusive governments . . . [their] top priority is to steal and leak any classified government information, including email spools ...

For the time ever, Breakaway attendees have a direct say in what session gets on the program as the Breakaway Wildcard. Registered attendees each get one vote.  But voting closes on July 8th. Let us know which topic below you'd like to learn most about as the Wildcard session: All They Need to Know: The Power of Why, What & How in Your Business Communications Building Your Business to Be a Valuable Asset When You’re Ready to Sell Business Continuity Planning: the Top IT Priority for 2011 How ...

A look at the week of June 20 in public advocacy for the IT channel: Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced a bill allowing foreign IT students to remain in the country after graduation. The first wave of healthcare IT trained professionals will graduate this spring, helping to address a major shortage of workers in this field. The White House hopes that news of recent cyberattacks will build public support for its comprehensive cybersecurity bill. The federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kund ...

As more and more indicators point to a “bull market” near future for IT job seekers, which roles have the greatest potential? In a self-described non-scientific survey, an InfoWorld article published this week breaks down the six hottest jobs in IT. This “Super Six” batch of positions wasn’t simply chosen for their frequent appearances on IT hiring sites, including Dice and Modis, but from discussions with industry executives on skills sought in the year to come. Titles picked offer the sky-hig ...

Our Breakaway conference in August in Washington, D.C., is shaping up to have our most robust, in-depth slate of sessions ever.  Beyond substantial channel training, attendees will glean real-world perspectives by thought leaders whose companies are driving the IT market.The program kicks off Tuesday, August 2, with a keynote by CompTIA President and CEO Todd Thibodeaux on the state of the IT industry.  Then best-selling author and noted business consultant Peter Sheahan gives his cutting-edge i ...

A look at the week of June 20 in public advocacy for the IT channel Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced a bill allowing foreign IT students to remain in the country after graduation. The first wave of healthcare IT trained professionals will graduate this spring, helping to address a major shortage of workers in this field. The White House hopes that news of recent cyberattacks will build public support for its comprehensive cybersecurity bill. The federal Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra i ...

Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack stated during a hearing this week that “we are not going to take it anymore,” referring to her efforts to pass comprehensive data notification breach reform, in response to the recent announcements by Sony and Epsilon of its major data breaches. As Congresswoman and Chairwoman of the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee, she also stated that the recent massive data breaches convinced her for the need to introduce the Secure and Fortify Electronic Data Act ...