Security training for IT managers

Computerworld - In my first column, I wrote about how IT managers must think intuitively about security in the enterprise. In the broadest sense, there are two ways that an IT manager can acquire this needed wisdom: through on-the-job training and through formal and informal learning.

Learning by doing and by making mistakes was the norm in the 1990s, but nowadays IT managers are expected to know information security best practices and how to apply them in their enterprise. In other words, knee-jerk security is no longer acceptable (if it ever was); rather, every IT manager is expected to know what measures need to be taken proactively to protect the organization's information assets.

But an IT manager's intuition must go beyond firewalls, intrusion detection, VPNs and antivirus software. While these are compulsory in nearly every environment, IT managers must also understand how technology supports the organization and how the organization uses information to conduct its operations. This is the realm where the IT manager needs to understand the risks associated with IT and how to influence organizational decision-makers in order to ensure that the organization isn't exposed.

Peter H. Gregory, CISSP, CISA, is an information technology and security consultant, a freelance writer and an author of several books, including "Solaris Security," "Enterprise Information Security," and "CISSP for Dummies." As a consultant he provides strategic technology and security services to small and large businesses. He can be reached at p.gregory@hartgregorygroup.com. His Web site is www.hartgregorygroup.com. Join an online discussion on this column.

The Computer Security Institute's NetSec conference, to be held in June in New Orleans, offers a rich assortment of learning opportunities. That is in addition to the CSI's outstanding conference that was held this week.

The SANS Institute, formerly known for its practitioner-only training and topics, offers management tracks at its larger conferences. There is an Information Security Officer Training track at the Cyber Defense Initiative conference in San Francisco in December. This track includes training in security management, policy and the concept of defense. The SANS 2003 annual conference in San Diego offers the Information Security Officer Training track and also a Security Leadership Essentials Bootcamp for Managers track. The San Diego conference has 12 tracks in all, so like the CSI conferences, there are opportunities to dip into more technical topics.

The MIS Training Institute (MISTI) holds an annual security conference called InfoSec World Conference and Exposition. The next one will be held in Orlando in March. Like CSI and SANS, there are plenty of sessions for IT managers.