FITSI Announces Formation of Washington, D.C. - Area Chapter

 January 13, 2012

            WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal IT Security Institute (FITSI) today announced formation of a Washington, D.C.-area chapter – FITSI-DC – with the goal of enhancing the capabilities of IT security professionals responsible for securing federal information systems. 

            As part of the announcement, FITSI founder and executive director Jim Wiggins said the chapter’s inaugural event will be held February 22^nd, 2012 and will consist of a day-long program of information and instruction on a wide range of IT subjects, including continuous monitoring, tools and framework, and best practices. 

            “We’re extremely excited about FITSI- DC because we see it as the first in a series of local chapters that will enable FITSI members and others to hear from experts and get the cost-effective training that will help them do their jobs better as they make federal IT systems more secure.” Wiggins said.

            The chapter will be led by Mr. Benjamin Hsiao who will serve as the chapter’s first president.  Ben has substantial federal experience having worked for HUD and most recently the FDIC’s Office of Inspector General.  Currently Ben works for IBM Global Business Services in IBM’s Cyber security and Privacy division.  At the first meeting, Mr. Hsiao will be covering aspects of the chapter’s formation and assigning roles for members that wish to volunteer and serve on the chapter’s board.  "I'm looking forward to being involved in establishing a DC chapter of FITSI.   The DC Chapter will work closely with FITSI to promote the importance of protecting Federal information systems, enhance the professional capabilities of personnel responsible for Federal IT security, and provide relevant and cost effective training to chapter members,” commented Hsiao.

            The February 22nd event will be held at Founders Hall on the Arlington Campus of George Mason University, 3351 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA.  The cost is $50 for FITSI members, $75 for ISACA, ISSA and IIA members, and $100 for all others. The program will start at 8 a.m. (sign-in) and will conclude at 4:30 p.m.  Attendees will receive seven Continuing Education Credits.

FITSI, established in March 2010, was designed and tailored to provide role-based IT certification for personnel responsible for securing the nation’s federal information technology systems.  It is unique in that it offers IT security certification programs to four specific groups of federal IT professionals: managers, designers, operators and auditors.  Since its founding, nearly 800 people have earned certification as Federal IT Security Professionals (FITSP).

Last year, the Federal Information Systems Security Educators’ Association (FISSEA) named Wiggins the “Educator of the Year” for the favorable impact he is making on the federal workforce with actions such as the founding of FITSI.    

Interested parties can learn more about the event’s planned activities as well as sign up at the following website:

http://www.fitsi.org/events/FITSI-DCInaguralEvent.htm.