ATCTA Today

On July 21, 2010 the ATCTA has announced new membership levels and an enhanced application process

The ATCTA is proud to announce that it has streamlined its application process and opened active membership to any and all Service Management training providers that are accredited by a recognized certification body. The improved membership levels and application process will expedite the ATCTA’s goal of unifying the Service Management training industry and promoting it as a profession.

Adherence to the Code of Conduct is no longer a requirement for Active Members. Every member has the option to adhere to it. Those who do comply, verified through a separate application process, will be granted the ATCTA Trustmark™.

“Uniting the Service Management industry and promoting it as a profession – that’s our main priority” says Jayne Groll, President of the ATCTA. ”An immediate result of this unification is that the ATCTA create an ITSM training community that collaborates and demonstrates a common commitment to quality standards. This can only serve to benefit all of our learners and customers. Together, we can help shape the future of Service Management.”

On April 16, 2010 the ATCTA Founders will introduce the association through a webinar meeting which is graciously hosted by Loyalist Certification Services (LCS).

For this meeting all LCS accredited ITSM certification training providers will be invited to attend and learn why joining the ATCTA is beneficial.

The five Founding Organizations of the ATCTA will lead the meeting and answer all the questions one may have.

The meeting’s agenda will consist of the explaining the vision and mission of the ATCTA, the value and services provided by the ATCTA, the committees and their charters, the Code of Conduct and the ATCTA Trustmark, as well as upcoming events.

The 1-hour webinar will start at 11:00 a.m. EST. More details about how to attend this session will be provided by LCS. This is an invitation-only webinar organized by LCS!

The ATCTA is planning a general launch webinar in May. Stay tuned for more information!

The Qualification Board is releasing updates to the 10 Intermediate syllabi, sample and exams and live exams according to the following schedule:

March 12, 2010: Updated syllabi and two sample exams for

• Service Operation
• Service Transition
• Continual Service Improvement
• OSA
• RCV

Read more: New ITIL V3 Intermediate Syllabi and Exams Release Schedule

Information Security Management training is still on the rise despite the economy. The new ISO/IEC 27002 certification training underscores this trend.

Despite the economy, security training remains in the top 10 of training in high demand according to market research data published in Baseline Magazine.

While the majority of information security management training focuses on tools and technology-specific training, the ISO/IEC 27002 certifications targets the most common IT security threat: People.

The implementation of an information security management system comprising of policies, plans, security controls, processes, roles and responsibilities, and much more are part of the three levels of the ISO/IEC 27002 qualifications scheme: Foundation, Advanced and Expert.

What makes the scheme further unique is that it is based on the international information security management standard, ISO/IEC 27001. The ISO/IEC 27002 component of this standard, 136-page document, offers the guidance for a successful implementation of the information security requirements.

The global ISO/IEC 20000 Service Management standard is gaining steadily in popularity. The new ISO/IEC 20000 Associate Consultant Auditor certification training underscores this trend.

This newly added ISO/IEC 20000 certification training course to the already impressive qualification scheme of EXIN and TÜV SÜD Akademie will allow for an even faster way to become profound in ISO/IEC 20000 as a manager, a consultant or an internal auditor.

Students pursuing this path to these higher levels of the qualification scheme can now in just five days become certified as an ISO/IEC 20000 Associate Consultant Auditor instead of the usual nine days comprised of three ISO/IEC 20000 Professional-level courses.

Those students benefiting more from particular parts of the standard and don’t have an immediate need to become certified as a consultant, a manager or an internal auditor will choose those Professional courses that matching best their roles and responsibilities in IT and follow the traditional certification path.

Whether or not pursuing ISO/IEC 20000 certification as an organization, the standard is a welcome addition to any organization embracing continual service improvement, organizational and process maturity, service management excellence and organizational and cultural change.

The APM Group - The Accreditor has released a document outlining the standards that should be met when using learning technologies. These requirements will go into effect for new accreditation requests as of May 1st. accredited ITSM certification training providers who are currently using accredited learning technology solutions will need to work with their accreditation organization to update their materials according to the guideline definitions.

The ATCTA does not feel that these guidelines represent the quality standards necessary for successful virtual learning, particularly in regards to ITIL^® V3 Intermediate courses and exams.  The guidelines do not require a minimum number of contact hours or interaction with an instructor or group, but rather rely on passive (call me if you need me) mentoring availability.  There are also no requirements for assignment hours.  Intermediate exams test a candidate's ability to apply the knowledge that they have gained through the course (Blooms level 4 and 5).   The ability to apply ITSM concepts is achieved mostly through discussion, practical assignment, questions and interaction. 

Given the growing number of passive "video professor" type intermediate courses that are being marketed, the concern is that learners who have never experienced a scenario-based gradient question exam will not be adequately equipped to pass these exams and/or fulfill the anticipated role in the real ITSM world the class prepares the learner for.  The guidelines do not sufficiently address these concerns.

What do you think?  ATCTA members can express and discuss their opinions in the Members-Only forums