Hi, how are you? I hope this time of year finds you well.

It's been such a busy year at the Durham household that I feel bad that we haven't been in touch more. As I reflect upon the past year, I feel saddened by the fact that I rarely felt the urge to wander into a testing center on your behalf. It used to be a lot different, didn't it?

What happened to the old days? You do remember them, don't you? You would put out a new certification that had real meaning in the marketplace, and I'd get as giddy as a schoolgirl and try to be one of the first to take the beta. I'd wait for the pass/fail results for weeks after the exam went live, just elated over the fact that I got to be a part of something so meaningful. Every day I'd skip to the mailbox and hope the score report with my results was mingled in amidst those pesky letters from the sheriff's department.

This past year& it just wasn't the same. I know some of it was me, but I can't help but feel that some of it was you too. You did update A+ to where it is only a year or two behind the market. You did revise the IT Project+ exam to make it mimic PMP's entry (without the documented experience part). Oh, yeah, you did put out HTI+ for people who aren't really in the computer business but do install home theater equipment for Sears. Looking at this, I guess you have been keeping busy; it just seems like we've been growing apart in what we're both looking for (I hope the words on paper don't hide the fact that I have a tear in my eye as I pen this).

I would make me really happy if we could hang together more this year and bring back some of the old spark that used to be so strong. I hope you don't think me too presumptuous, but I've put together some opportunities for us to get together. If you'll just listen to them, I think we can work something out:

1. Put out an exam on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
This is set of legislation that administrators must understand (and implement) but so few really do. What a great opportunity for CompTIA - the Computing Technology Industry Association - to fulfill a need. Create an exam that tests on Sarbanes-Oxley from an administrator's level and verify that those who need to understand it really do. Of course, you'd have to increase the failing ratio from the usual below-50% to something more like 75%, but this is really needed in the market today.

2. Test on privacy.
If testing on Sarbanes-Oxley is too narrowly focused (which I don't agree that it is, but can hear you mumbling it already), then create an exam on an administrator's understanding of privacy regulations and their compliance; add in HIPPA and other rules. If this is not an issue computing professionals are facing in the workplace, then the workplace must be providing support for a mom and pop ice cream stand. Regulatory compliance in this area is going to get stricter as time goes on and someone has to verify that those administering systems understand what they are supposed to. Don't wait for CIW to do this -- it is your mission.

3. Create an exam on secure authentication.
I don't mean Security+ ("what does https stand for?"). I mean how do I REALLY know that the person is who they say they are -- getting that specific and focused. Test that someone really can figure out inheritance and globbing when it involves membership in multiple groups and access to files buried under dozens of subdirectories. Make sure that it is understood how non-homogenous systems can change the equation when they are integrated. I'll grant that this is very specific, but also something that only you can do -- any vendor would tweak the exam to where the right answer was always their product, and you won't do that.

These are just three examples of needs being faced today, needs for a certification that holds real value. If you focus on non-computing specific topics such as audio/video for home wiring and project management, then you need to take the "Comp" from your name and know that someone else will come along to fill the void that you are leaving. Don't get me wrong here, I don't mind your serving customers outside of your market, I just think that you need to fill the needs of your market first.

Sorry for getting into the Dr. Phil mode, but I miss you, CompTIA and I don't want us growing apart anymore. I hope that 2004 will be better for the both of us. When I sign my letter next year, I hope we can discuss all the new pluses added to the end of my resume.

Wishing you all the best this coming year, and for years to come,

Jeff

What's your take on CompTIA certification over the past year? Post your comments below!