Cybersecurity Challenges, Opportunities Explored at CompTIA Breakaway 2011

Security considerations of cloud computing, mobility examined at Washington, D.C. conference

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Jul 26, 2011, 01:00 ET

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Security considerations associated with cloud computing, mobility applications and other emerging technologies will be the focus of several conference sessions at Breakaway 2011, CompTIA, the non-profit trade association, announced today.

Breakaway is the premier annual event for the information technology (IT) channel and is set for Aug. 1-4 in Washington, D.C.

Cybersecurity is among the noteworthy issues that will be discussed and debated at Breakaway, according to Kelly Ricker, vice president, events and education, CompTIA.

"Advancements in cloud computing, wireless capacities and smart technologies all offer great potential for operational efficiencies and business growth," Ricker said. "At the same time, each of these solutions has the potential to unleash new cybersecurity threats.

"We've invited a cross-section of industry leaders and policy experts from the government, not-for-profits and the IT channel to share their expertise on the emerging threats, the countermeasures that can be taken and the business opportunities available in the cybersecurity realm to IT channel companies."

A cybersecurity track is part of the inaugural CompTIA Tech Summit, co-located with Breakaway 2011, and scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4.

The first of two cybersecurity panel discussions at the CompTIA Tech Summit will explore "Security & Cloud Migration Challenges for Business and Government." It's set for 9 a.m. on Aug. 4. Scheduled panelists include Scott Crenshaw, vice president, cloud business unit, Red Hat; Ron Culler, chief technology officer, Secure Designs, Inc.; Ellen Rubin, founder and vice president, products, CloudSwitch, Inc.; and Jeff Voas, computer scientist, National Institute of Standards and Technology. Patrick Pusher, founder and chief technology officer, CloudChronicle.com, will moderate the panel.

At 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 4 a second cybersecurity panel will convene to discuss "Cybersecurity in the Age of Mobility." Scheduled to participate are Brian Contos, director, global security and risk management, McAfee; Allan Friedman, research director, Center for Technology Innovation at The Brookings Institution; and Andrew Hoog, chief investigative officer, viaForensics. The panel will be moderated by David Valdez, senior director, public advocacy, CompTIA.

The cybersecurity program at the CompTIA Tech Summit will conclude with a keynote address by Allan A. Friedman of The Brookings Institution. Friedman's current research focuses on information technology policy, with particular emphasis on cybersecurity policy and the dynamics of information privacy.

Also at Breakaway, CompTIA will offer four IT security training sessions designed specifically for IT channel companies that currently offer security services or are interested in doing so.

Three of the sessions make up the modules of the CompTIA IT Security Channel Training Course. Participants will receive a CompTIA Education Credit for each module they complete, and will also receive the CompTIA 10-Week Guide to Accelerating Your IT Security Business. These three IT security modules will be offered on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The "CompTIA Security Trustmark™ Workshop: Your Roadmap to Security Best Practices," is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 3. The session will offer skill-building exercises, resources and networking opportunities to help IT channel companies generate a high-level plan to successfully earn the CompTIA Security Trustmark. The trustmark is a business level credential awarded to IT solution providers that consistently follow industry established security best practices.

More than 1,100 IT channel leaders – including some 350 solution providers – are expected at Breakaway 2011. Conference registration is free for CompTIA members and just $250 for non-members.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. As a non-profit trade association advancing the global interests of IT professionals and companies, CompTIA is the recognized authority for IT education and credentials and the primary advocate for IT businesses and workers. Through its foundation, CompTIA also enables disadvantaged populations to gain the skills they need for employment in the IT industry. CompTIA's vision of the IT landscape is shaped by more than 25 years of global perspective and more than 2,000 members and 1,000 business partners. For more information, visit www.comptia.org or follow CompTIA on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/comptia.

SOURCE CompTIA