Market Research October Newsletter

Cisco Networking Academy Program

Data Sheet

Market Research, Late August 2005

Job Market / Technology Trends

Business Wire Hard-Working College Students Generate Record Campus Wealth; More Students Than Ever Enrolled in College: New Study Highlights Purchasing Power, Diversity, and Evolving Media Preferences

The 3rd annual Alloy College Explorer Study, powered by Harris Interactive, reveals that the U.S. college student market (ages 18-30, attending two-and four-year colleges, part-or full-time) has evolved into one of America's most hard-working markets. The number of students employed has reached 78 percent. With enrollments at an all time high, the result is a booming college student marketplace representing over $175 billion in consumer spending. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050816005187&newsLang=en

Certification Magazine Certification in Academia: Preparing the Next Generation

It’s no secret that the job market is tight. With fewer openings and lower headcounts, employers are now being more selective in their search for IT professionals. Those chosen to fill available spaces demonstrate greater versatility and overall capabilities. Public and private training and educational institutions also are evolving to help their learners successfully compete for jobs. Discover what educators are doing to prepare the next generation of IT professionals for these new employment realities. http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/cmag_department_ge.asp?articleid=1341&zoneid=10

Certification Magazine DBM: Summer, Holidays Prime Time for Job Hunt

August has been dubbed the “Silly Season” because supposedly nothing really important happens during this time. Higher-ups in the world of business and government tend to take long vacations during this month, and try to spend as little time as possible thinking about work. Because of this reputation, as well as their own desire to take some time off, employment seekers tend to put a hold on recruitment efforts in August. However, they do so at their own peril, said Duncan Mathison, a senior consultant at DBM, a firm that helps professionals who have been released through events such as downsizing or mergers and acquisitions find work. http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/cmag_nl_extra_content.asp?articleid=1363&zoneid=37

Certification Magazine Study: Managed Services Could Enliven Interest in Home Networking Technology

Research from The Diffusion Group (TDG), a connected consumer and new media research consultancy, suggests that value-added services could help home networks "cross the chasm" between early adopters and mainstream consumers. "Consumer Interest in Value-Added Home

Network Services: Volume II," TDG's latest report on home networking and managed home network services, identifies numerous value-added services that could help service providers extend their revenue and profit reach "beyond the modem." http://www.certmag.com/common/newscenter/newsdisplay.cfm?id=4204

Internet Retailer Wages for IT professionals dip in Q2 year-over-year

Average wages for IT professionals dipped by 1.2% year-over-year in the second quarter, though they’re up more than 5% since 2001, according to the Yoh Index of Technology Wages. http://internetretailer.com/dailyNews.asp?id=15865

MSN Encarta Where the Jobs Are

The technology industry continues to grow, and there is a wealth of fields in need of skilled information technology (IT) workers. "The New York Times cites a labor department listing of the 15 fastest-growing jobs for the decade, and a total of 10 are in IT," says Dr. Susan Merritt, dean of the School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University (New York, NY). These include computer systems analysts, software engineering, application development, network design, and computer support. http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/elearning/?article=jobs>1=6672

PC World Digital divide problem growing: Sensis Report

Launching the Sensis e-business report to a room full of government representatives in Canberra this week, Sensis General Manager of corporate affairs, Felicity Hand, said the digital divide was a problem that policy-makers needed to keep in mind. The report found that the digital divide existed over a range of demographics, including income, age, and gender. Only half of the respondents with an income of up to $35,000 were connected to the Internet, compared to 86 percent of people with an income of over $85,000. http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php/id;1740113331;fp;2;fpid;1

Gender

Australian IT System perpetuates nerd

Although accurate data on women in technology is difficult to obtain, there is widespread agreement that we have plunged to the lowest female participation rate on record. The figure is somewhere between 16 and 20 percent, down from 25 to 28 percent a decade ago, and the irony is that the need for more soft skills falls is advantageous to women. Young women desire careers with interaction, teamwork, and project-oriented rather than task-oriented assignments, so they can make a difference in their organizations and use soft skills such as report preparation, presenting, dispute resolution, and business acumen. http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,16345433%5E15309%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

Connecticut Post Web masters: computer camp for girls bridges gender gap Idalia Friedson thinks it's a shame that more girls her age don't know how to design Web pages. The 12-year-old Trumbull girl, who will be a seventh grader at Hillcrest Middle School in the fall, recently learned how to create her own page as part of a computer camp for girls at Fairfield University. Friedson loved learning more about computers, and wondered why more girls don't gain these kinds of skills. "I think [girls] can be a little bit underestimated," she said. The camp, which just started this year, aims to change that. The weeklong day camp taught girls not only Web page design, but also computer programming and software applications. http://www.connpost.com/womanwise/ci_2932388

Electricnews.net Bias still the rule for women in science

Women are still finding it tough to forge scientific careers in academic institutions, despite initiatives designed to help level the playing field. An analysis of the issue published in Science magazine concluded that women encounter unconscious bias, a "sometimes chilly" campus environment, and must deal with balancing their family and work when trying to climb the career ladder. The paper was written by a number of prominent women scientists and academic administrators in the United States. http://www.enn.ie/frontpage/news-9631991.html

MSNBC.com Fewer women find their way into tech

The number of women considering careers in information technology has dropped to its lowest level since the mid-1970s—and one local nonprofit organization intends to do something about it. Based at the University of Colorado in Boulder, the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) wants to know why women are losing interest in technology, and what can be done to bring them back. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8956555/

Cisco News eChannel Line Daily News Cisco adds a sixth educational game to its CCNA Prep Center site

The fun never stops for Cisco Systems partners. The networking giant has released yet another educational game to its partner base via its CCNA Prep Center Website. http://www.integratedmar.com/ecl-usa/story.cfm?item=19849 geekstreet.ca Cisco Launches Packetville eLearning Portal

Cisco Systems has launched Packetville, a Web portal rich with interactive educational content to introduce young students to the marvels of the Internet as it relates to math, science, real-world solutions, education, and careers. Students join characters Peter and Penny Packet as they "jump into the Internet" and participate in a variety of fun activities to explore technology and its important role in society. http://www.geekstreet.ca/print.php?sid=3410

Technology News Daily Learning Game Trilogy from Cisco

Cisco Systems has announced the availability of its Learning Game Trilogy, a combination of three online technology games: Rockin' Retailer, Network Defenders, and SAN Rover. As part of the Cisco Career Certifications Program, these free games are offered to challenge individuals who are interested in learning while engaging in competitive game play. http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/551

Theater Specific Information

Australian IT System perpetuates nerd

Electricnews.net Bias still the rule for women in science

Corporate Headquarters European Headquarters Americas Headquarters Asia Pacific Headquarters Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco Systems International BV Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco Systems, Inc. 170 West Tasman Drive Haarlerbergpark 170 West Tasman Drive 168 Robinson Road San Jose, CA 95134-1706 Haarlerbergweg 13-19 San Jose, CA 95134-1706 #28-01 Capital Tower USA 1101 CH Amsterdam USA Singapore 068912 www.cisco.com The Netherlands www.cisco.com www.cisco.com Tel: 408 526-4000 www-europe.cisco.com Tel: 408 526-7660 Tel: +65 6317 7777 800 553-NETS (6387) Tel: 31 0 20 357 1000 Fax: 408 527-0883 Fax: +65 6317 7799 Fax: 408 526-4100 Fax: 31 0 20 357 1100

Cisco Systems has more than 200 offices in the following countries and regions. Addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers are listed on the Cisco Website at www.cisco.com/go/offices.

Argentina • Australia • Austria • Belgium • Brazil • Bulgaria • Canada • Chile • China PRC • Colombia • Costa Rica Croatia • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Dubai, UAE • Finland • France • Germany • Greece • Hong Kong SAR Hungary • India • Indonesia • Ireland • Israel • Italy • Japan • Korea • Luxembourg • Malaysia • Mexico The Netherlands • New Zealand • Norway • Peru • Philippines • Poland • Portugal • Puerto Rico • Romania • Russia Saudi Arabia • Scotland • Singapore • Slovakia • Slovenia • South Africa • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Taiwan Thailand • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • United States • Venezuela • Vietnam • Zimbabwe

All contents are Copyright © 1992–2005 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. CCSP, CCVP, the Cisco Square Bridge logo, Follow Me Browsing, and StackWise are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Changing the Way We Work, Live, Play, and Learn, and iQuick Study are service marks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; and Access Registrar, Aironet, ASIST, BPX, Catalyst, CCDA, CCDP, CCIE, CCIP, CCNA, CCNP, Cisco, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert logo, Cisco IOS, Cisco Press, Cisco Systems, Cisco Systems Capital, the Cisco Systems logo, Cisco Unity, Empowering the Internet Generation, Enterprise/Solver, EtherChannel, EtherFast, EtherSwitch, Fast Step, FormShare, GigaDrive, GigaStack, HomeLink, Internet Quotient, IOS, IP/TV, iQ Expertise, the iQ logo, iQ Net Readiness Scorecard, LightStream, Linksys, MeetingPlace, MGX, the Networkers logo, Networking Academy, Network Registrar, Packet, PIX, Post-Routing, Pre-Routing, ProConnect, RateMUX, ScriptShare, SlideCast, SMARTnet, StrataView Plus, TeleRouter, The Fastest Way to Increase Your Internet Quotient, and TransPath are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. Cisco Systems, Inc. All other trademarksAll contents mentioned are inCopyright this document © 1992–2005 or Website are Cisco the property Systems, of their Inc. respective All rights owners. reserved. The use ofImportant the word parNoticestner does and not Privacyimply a partnership Statement. relationship between Cisco and any other company. (0502R) Page 5 of 5 XX/LWXXXX 06/05

Printed in the USA Cisco Networking Academy Program

Data Sheet

Market Research, September 2005

Job Market / Technology Trends

BusinessWeek College: The Payoff Shrinks

Real earnings for workers with only a bachelor's degree have fallen for four straight years, for the first time since the 1970s. And the decline— about 5 percent since 2000—shows no signs of abating. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_37/b3950033_mz011.htm

Business Wire New Study Reveals Continued Growth for Online Higher Education in Corporate Learning

The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) and Capella University, a leading online university, recently partnered to identify the perceptions of senior learning executives about the role of online higher education in corporate learning. Survey respondents saw several benefits in using online higher education as part of their corporate learning strategy. Increasing the range of learning opportunities provided to employees and increasing employee satisfaction and retention were cited by respondents as the top two driving forces for business use of online higher education. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050907006089&newsLang=en

Business Wire Enterprise Systems Releases 2005 IT Salary Survey; Though the IT Job Market Has Grown Stronger in the Last Year, It's Been a Bumpy Ride for Many IT Staff Positions

Application programmers saw the largest jump in salaries across the IT staff positions for the second year in a row, and now average $56,500— a rise of 6.6 percent over last year's survey. Systems programmers had the toughest year in terms of salary and bonuses, with base salaries dropping nearly 5% to $67,150 in 2005. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050907005314&newsLang=en

ComputerWeekly Government Identifies 'digital divide'

A report produced by the social exclusion unit, part of the office of the deputy prime minister, said IT equipment, software, and Internet access was “prohibitively expensive” for many people with low incomes. In a survey, 77 percent of respondents thought current trends would widen the digital divide and increase inequality, leaving socially excluded groups of people worse off. http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2005/09/02/211610/Governmentidentifies'digitaldivide'.htm

Contra Costa Times Bay Area Wage Trends Promising, Study Shows

Overall, wage growth in 2005 is looking much better than it did in 2004, according to an analysis by the California Employment Development Department. If the trends hold up, that would point to an improving job market in the battered Bay Area. And it would be a welcome reversal of the economic calamities that began with the implosion of the dot-com bubble. http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/business/12547269.htm

Control Engineering Tech Industry Employment Brightens

The U.S. tech sector added nearly 190,000 jobs between January 2004 and June 2005, according to data generated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and compiled by AeA, a high-tech U.S. trade association. The increase brings the total number of jobs in the sector to 5.72 million, a 3.4 % increase. The data came from a study released this month as part of AeA's ongoing Competitiveness Series. The study shows that the tech sector has produced a net increase in jobs over the last six-, 12-, and 18-month time spans. http://www.manufacturing.net/ctl/article/CA6259436?industry=Information+Control&industryid=22071&spacedesc=communityNews

CRN Riding the E-Learning Curve

When it comes to styles of instruction, the CRN Training and Certification Survey showed 30 percent of solution providers prefer the self-paced online training option, which was more than for any other type of training. Another 20 percent preferred a hybrid method: an off-site, instructor- led classroom that includes an online component. http://www.crn.com/sections/special/reports/certification.jhtml?ArticleID=170100551

CRN Still Spending: The Big Fish Can't Be Ignored

Security remains a high priority on the enterprise IT to-do list according to Andrew Bartels, a Forrester research analyst. He sees the majority of security investment at the network level moving toward SSL VPNs. In addition, layered firewalls are hot at the enterprise level, bringing the firewall to applications for more granular protection. Beyond that, Bartels expects identity-management and intrusion-monitoring to be key security trends for enterprises. http://www.crn-india.com/breakingnews/stories/60100.html

The Globe and Mail Where Jobs Are and Students Aren't

Withering interest is showing at the university level now. New enrollments in North American computer science programs were 10 percent lower in the 2004-2005 school year than the one before. That follows a 23 percent drop in 2002-2003, according to the Computing Research Association, a group of more than 200 North American academic departments in computer science, computer engineering, and related fields. Enrollment has been declining for the past four years. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050921/CATEC21/TPBusiness/General

Govexec.com Compliance Taking Over IT Security Chiefs' Schedules

In response to the growing burden of complying with the 2002 Federal Information Security Management Act, CISOs are spending an average of 3.75 hours per day on FISMA, a law written to bolster agencies' computer and network security. Last year, the survey found that CISOs spent an average of 3.06 hours on FISMA compliance. http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0805/083005p1.htm

The Mercury News Winning the Skills Race

The governor of California and president of the University of California will soon invite every freshman entering the state's flagship system to consider becoming a K-12 math or science teacher. Their invitation will be backed by a specially tailored program at every campus and a network of industry partners. This is the kind of grass-roots initiative that will help win the skills race in science and technology. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/12579081.htm

The Register Digital Divide is Self-Repairing, Says U.K. Gov

A U.K. government-sponsored study has declared that the digital divide between technology-rich citizens and e-impoverished have-nots “is only a short-term concern that will correct itself with time,” eGov monitor reports. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/06/digital-divide/

The Star Gazette Job Market Keeps Changing with the Times

The evolution from a manufacturing economy to an information economy has resulted in many fundamental changes in the Corning area. One of the most significant changes is that most young people who grow up in the community—especially those who don't pursue advanced degrees or technical training after high school—no longer have the prospect of a secure, long-term job in their hometown. http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050904/COLUMNIST29/509040348

TechNewsWorld Report: VoIP Sets Stage for Security Appliance Surge

Enterprises are driving the adoption of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) security solutions, according to new research from the In-Stat group, a high-tech market research firm. The report, “Trends and Spending Plans for Security Appliances: Are We Ready for VoIP?,” covers the impact of VoIP in the security appliance market, and concludes that while VoIP can add many desirable new features to business telecom systems, vendors and customers face difficult security challenges to realize these benefits. As a result, more than 75 percent of the companies that have implemented VoIP plan to replace their security appliances within the next year, according to the report. The security appliance market is poised for strong growth over the next few years, and will reach US$7 billion by 2009, In-Stat forecasts. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/46010.html

Gender

Bizwoman.com Universities: More Women in Tech Needed As the door for the technology field opens and more women enter, stereotypes and different cultural beliefs are still the root of why many women move away from the industry. But local universities are taking steps to change that. http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/sanantonio/content/story.html?story_id=1165016

Business Africa Online Africa's Courageous Women Entrepreneurs

It can be reasonably argued that African women are at the cutting edge of poverty and development and key to any poverty reduction strategy on the continent. And that’s by no means sterile business babble. In the United States alone, the surge of women-owned businesses by 45 percent after 1990 implies that female-owned businesses provide work for more than 15.5 million people and generate sales in excess of a trillion U.S. dollars a year—more than all the Fortune 500 companies combined. http://www.businessinafrica.net/opinion/editorials/492908.htm

Cordis News Action Needed to Attract Women to High-Tech Careers, Finds U.K. Report

The technology industry in the United Kingdom must do more to attract and retain female employees if it is to remain internationally successful, according to a new report by Intellect and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Their research uncovered evidence of an 'old boys club' within parts of the high-tech industry, and the subsequent report said that many women leave high-tech jobs due to long hours, few networking opportunities, and a perceived male domination of the industry culture. http://dbs.cordis.lu/cgi-bin/srchidadb?CALLER=NHP_EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:24397

International Herald Tribune Meanwhile: Exploiting the Gender Gap

Nothing disturbs America's working women more than the statistics showing that they are paid only 76 cents to each dollar men earn for the same work. http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/09/05/opinion/edfarrell.php

The Korea Herald Women Professors Exceed 10% of National University Faculties

Women professors have exceeded 10 percent of faculty staff at national universities for the first time this year, mainly due to governmental affirmative action on their behalf, according to the Education Ministry. Women now account for 10.7 percent of national university faculty, up from 9.97 in 2004 and 8.8 in 2001. The proportion of women professors at state-run schools is still smaller than that at private schools. http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/09/28/200509280012.asp

Minnesota Women’s Press Why Girls Aren’t Choosing Careers in IT or Technology

Increasing the number of women in science and engineering careers isn’t just a matter of recruiting girls and women in high school or college. There’s a general consensus emerging that those efforts must start much earlier—in grade school—to stem what some refer to as a leak in the pipeline. http://www.womenspress.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=2012&TM=41337.98

Personnel Today Women Perceive Male Bias in the Workplace

Almost four out of five women still believe there is a bias in favor of male staff in the office. A survey by the law firm Peninsula showed that 78 percent of women believe their gender is a barrier to career progression compared to male counterparts. http://www.personneltoday.com/Articles/Article.aspx?feed=rss&liArticleID=31511

Rabble News Women in IT: How are we doing?

Statistics about the gender breakdown of the labor force can be hard to interpret, since IT work cuts across many industrial and occupational categories. Some IT workers are hidden at home, doing contract, freelance, part-time, or other forms of precarious work. Some IT workers perform technical tasks as part of their daily routine, but their official job title is not considered a technical one. Information technologies and changes in work practices have created many new types of jobs and reconfigured old ones. http://www.rabble.ca/arts_media.shtml?x=41373

USA Today Big (lack of) Men on Campus

Decline in male college attendance is a serious national problem. Currently, 135 women receive bachelor's degrees for every 100 men. That gender imbalance will widen in the coming years, according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Education. http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20050923/edit23.art.htm

Cisco News

Business Wire University of California, Santa Barbara Selects Unicon to Enable Online Campus

Unicon Inc. announced today that the University of California, Santa Barbara has selected Academus, Unicon's Web portal solution, to power their Sakai course management system prototype. UC Santa Barbara, home to more than nine national research centers, will provide this solution to serve their campus of more than 22,000 students, faculty, and administrators. http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050823005789&newsLang=en

CertCities Cisco Debuts Multi-Player CCNA Game

Cisco Systems recently introduced a new addition to the certification study games offered online at its CCNA Prep Center -- Cisco Certification Multi-Player Challenge: CCNA. The game pits Cisco.com members against each other in a "first-to-the-buzzer" game where certification candidates compete individually or in teams to answer CCNA exam practice questions in 20-question rounds. The overall top 20 scores are posted. http://www.certcities.com/editorial/news/story.asp?EditorialsID=893

CertCities Cisco Updates Security Certs with New Exams

Cisco Systems unveiled a new slate of exams for its security certifications. The titles affected by the change are the CCSP and the security- related Cisco Qualified Specialist certifications: Firewall, IDS, and VPN. According to Don Field, Cisco's director of certifications, the revamp is solely a content change, reflecting the program's shifting security focus and deemphasizing some older technologies in favor of the new, like the Cisco Security Agent and the Adaptive Security Appliances line." http://www.certcities.com/editorial/news/story.asp?EditorialsID=917>http://www.certcities.com/editorial/news/story.asp?EditorialsID=917

Computerworld Cisco Revamps Security Training

Cisco has revamped its security certifications and added new content to support its self-defending network strategy and "keep up with changing needs in the marketplace". http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1023276584;fp;16;fpid;0>http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;1023276584;fp;16; fpid;0 eSecurityPlanet Not All Security Pros are Equal

Companies are facing a tough challenge these days. Security risks, like the recent Zotob virus, are on the rise and security specialists are in high demand. This is forcing many companies to take on anyone calling themselves a security guru. But experts warn that organizations should look for a lot more than certifications before allowing someone to protect their corporate assets. http://www.esecurityplanet.com/best_practices/article.php/3529491

Express Computer Cisco Networking Academy Program to Expand in Kerala

Cisco Systems is set to expand its Cisco Networking Academy Program in Kerala by adding five more institutions under its ambit. According to Regional Manager, Cisco Systems (India), Lokesh Mehra, Cisco has an understanding with three institutions for implementing the program. http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20050926/valueadded01.shtml

The Financial Express People Are As Important As Profits

Cisco pursues a triple bottom line concept, which is described as profits, people, and presence, with all three being equally important. The company strongly believes that companies with solid triple bottom lines are the most sustainable, responsible, and successful. The company also promotes a culture of charitable giving and connects employees to nonprofit organizations serving the communities in which we live. http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=101434

Mass High Tech Networked Server: Cisco CEO Chats about Opportunities Here, Abroad

Cisco Systems Inc. president and chief executive officer John Chambers said he can only “keyboard in” 15 words a minute, but he sure can talk: 200 words a minute, by his count. The IT thought leader, who heads the dominant San Jose, Calif., networking company, paced the aisles of the packed Kirsch Auditorium at MIT’s Stata Center last week. He aimed his easy-mannered, soft-spoken, machine-gun-fire drawl at a room that included students and MIT’s top officials alike. http://www.masshightech.com/displayarticledetail.asp?art_id=69698

Network World It's Back to School for Cisco Certifications

New security products may be just what you hoped someone would give you for your birthday. But along with the thrill of possibly fending off attacks on your network will come the hard part of learning how to operate any new equipment, and convincing others that you can. And for that, there are all sorts of industry certification exams that you can attempt to pass as some measure of proof. http://www.networkworld.com/weblogs/security/009991.html>http://www.networkworld.com/weblogs/security/009991.html

T.H.E Journal Cisco Creates Web Portal for Students to Explore IT

Cisco Systems has launched Packetville (www.cisco.com/go/packetville), a free e-learning Web portal rich with interactive and educational resources. Packetville introduces students aged 8-14 to the wonders of the Internet as it relates to math, science, real-world solutions, education, and careers. http://www.thejournal.com/magazine/vault/a5448.cfm

SearchSecurity.com Cisco Security Certifications Changing

Cisco Systems Inc. is revamping its security professional-level certifications to better reflect the networking giant's emphasis on its self- defending network strategy. "The security business doesn't stand still. Threats continue to come forward," says Don Field, director of certification. "Cisco has responded by making product and solution changes." In this instance, it's the expanded product lines falling under the self-defending network umbrella that prompted changes. Field added that the latest changes are designed to ensure that IT professionals and the companies that hire them are confident in dealing with the array of Cisco offerings. http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid14_gci1125932,00.html

UN Volunteers UNV, Cisco Team Up to Train Vietnamese Women for Jobs

With technical support from the Bach Khoa Networking Academy in the Hanoi University of Technology, UN Volunteers from Viet Nam and abroad will teach English and a standardized IT training curriculum developed by Cisco at the Ba Vi facility. http://www.unvolunteers.org/infobase/news_releases/2005/05_09_19VNM_cisco.htm

Wi-Fi Technology More and More U.S. Schools Adopt Wireless and Wi-Fi Technology

As students begin their back-to-school pilgrimage, one thing stands out this year—the dramatic adoption of wireless networking technologies throughout large and small schools and school districts across the country. http://www.wi-fitechnology.com/displayarticle2296.html

Theater Specific Information

Business Africa Online Africa's Courageous Women Entrepreneurs

It can be reasonably argued that African women are at the cutting edge of poverty and development and key to any poverty reduction strategy on the continent. And that’s by no means sterile business babble. In the United States alone, the surge of women-owned businesses by 45% after 1990 implies that female-owned businesses provide work for more than 15.5 million people and generates sales in excess of a trillion U.S. dollars a year—more than all the Fortune 500 companies combined. http://www.businessinafrica.net/opinion/editorials/492908.htm

Business Wire University of California, Santa Barbara Selects Unicon to Enable Online Campus

Cordis News Action Needed to Attract Women to High-Tech Careers, Finds U.K. Report

The technology industry in the United Kingdom must do more to attract and retain female employees if it is to remain internationally successful, according to a new report by Intellect and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Their research found evidence of an 'old boys club' within parts of the high-tech industry, and the subsequent report said that many women leave high-tech jobs due to long hours, few networking opportunities, and a perceived male domination of the industry culture. http://dbs.cordis.lu/cgi-bin/srchidadb?CALLER=NHP_EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:24397

Express Computer Cisco Networking Academy Program to Expand in Kerala

The Financial Express People Are As Important As Profits

Cisco pursues a triple bottom line concept, which is described as profits, people, and presence, with all three being equally important. The company strongly believes that companies with strong triple bottom lines are the most sustainable, responsible, and successful. The company also promotes a culture of charitable giving and connects employees to nonprofit organizations serving the communities in which we live. http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=101434

The Register Digital Divide is Self-Repairing, says U.K. Gov

A U.K. government-sponsored study has declared that the digital divide between technology-rich citizens and e-impoverished have-nots "is only a short-term concern that will correct itself with time," eGov monitor reports. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/06/digital-divide/

UN Volunteers UNV, Cisco Team Up to Train Vietnamese Women for Jobs

Wi-Fi Technology More and More U.S. Schools Adopt Wireless and Wi-Fi Technology

Cisco Systems has more than 200 offices in the following countries and regions. Addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers are listed on the Cisco Website at www.cisco.com/go/offices.

Printed in the USA