FITSI Launches Security Evangelist Program

 November 28, 2011

                WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 11, 2010, a new certification program was first unveiled that is specifically designed and tailored to help secure the nation’s Federal information technology systems.  Its growth since then demonstrates that there is no better advertising than the word-of-mouth support of a satisfied member.  In less than two years, nearly 800 members have earned the certification as Federal IT Security Professionals (FITSP). 

            The success of this word-of-mouth support forms the basis of the new FITSI evangelist program being formalized by the Federal IT Security Institute to facilitate spreading the word about the organization’s benefits within the federal workforce.

            “A number of our members were already talking to and emailing others about how FITSI certifications demonstrate skills that can be career enhancing,” said FITSI executive director and founder Jim Wiggins.  “We’re simply taking the next step and formalizing the program to support our members who volunteer to pass along the ways our programs have helped them.”

            “And the message we are spreading is that the goal of the FITSI program is to make Federal IT systems more secure by assuring that Federal civilian, military and/or contractor staff who manage and operate them understand and can apply the appropriate Federal IT security standards,” said Wiggins.  “There are a number of high-quality certifications in the IT security space but until FITSI, none of them were specifically tailored to address the unique security environment mandated for Federal IT systems.” 

            Wiggins said FITSI would make available to interested members a wide range of materials to help evangelize the organization and the member at the same time.  Additionally, evangelists will be asked to peer review program elements to add their expertise in making the FITSI program better.  Any FITSI member can sign up at the private portal to join the program.

            Wiggins noted that the FITSP certification provides a framework within which the holders of other IT security certifications must be able to demonstrate the special skills necessary to support the Federal IT security space.  FITSI differs from other IT security certification programs in that it offers certification to four specific groups of federal IT professionals: managers, designers, operators and auditors.

            Earlier this year, the Federal Information Systems Security Educators’ Association (FISSEA) named Wiggins the “Educator of the Year” by for the favorable impact he is making in the federal workforce, with FITSI being perhaps the premier example.