Course Correction1


A Course Correction

Readers of this blog who are familiar with the CMDSP certification may be surprised to learn that Mobile Resources Group, CMDSP’s parent company, has changed the credential from a certification to a certificate program.

Before I delve into rationale for the change, let me begin with some useful definitions — ones that are sometimes used interchangeably and erroneously.

Credentialing is the process by which a qualified agent (in this case, CMDSP’s Board) grants recognition to an individual, organization, process, service, or product that meets certain established criteria. Common types include accreditation, certification, curriculum-or-assessment‐based certificates, and licensure.

Certificate: A recognition that designates that participants have completed the required education/training and demonstrated accomplishment of the intended learning outcomes; or, a document issued by a certification body, indicating that the named person has fulfilled the certification requirements.

Certification: A voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants a time‐limited recognition to an individual after verifying that he or she has met certain established criteria.

After a thorough review, MRG found that an assessment-based certificate would be more beneficial to IT practitioners at this point in time. Accordingly, once applicants are accepted to candidacy in the CMDSP certificate program, they will take a two-day course on mobile device security. The course will be taught by an MRG approved instructor who holds the CMDSP certificate. Once a candidate passes the CMDSP examination, he/she will be awarded a certificate valid for three years. When awarded the credential, the candidate will be able to place CH,CMDSP after his/her name. If the certificate holder (CH) wishes to renew the credential after its expiration, he/she will have to take the course and sit for the examination.

There is a compelling reason for this change. Given the rapidly changing landscape of mobile device security, the need for revising and revamping the two day course is paramount in order to give candidates the knowledge and skills necessary for best practices in their enterprise operations.

As the industry grows into a profession, and the body of knowledge becomes more robust, MRG has agreed to revisit the idea of a CMDSP certification. At this juncture, however, an assessment-based certificate is preferable to a full-fledged certification program.

The CMDSP staff always welcomes your comments and questions. Please feel free to email me at [email protected]

Cordially,

Jan paul Miller