A new certification program for entry-level computer-security professionals will officially get up and running Monday, said representatives of the combined industry-government group behind the exam. . .

A new certification program for entry-level computer-security professionals will officially get up and running Monday, said representatives of the combined industry-government group behind the exam.

The Security+ certification, brainchild of the Computing Technology Industry Association, could become a minimum requirement that would help companies and government agencies hire knowledgeable network administrators. CompTIA is made up of two dozen trade and government security experts, including representatives from Microsoft, IBM and the FBI. "This is going to be an entrance into the security profession, a validation of knowledge," said Kris Madura, Security+ program manager for CompTIA.

Judging from the organizations that helped create the certification, Security+ looks to be on the path to becoming the standard for verifying that a potential employee has a sound understanding of security concepts. CompTIA also includes members from Sun Microsystems, VeriSign, Novell, the Secret Service and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the organization that sets the hiring standards for nonmilitary government agencies.

The link for this article located at ZDNet is no longer available.