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I’m old enough and have been around long enough to remember the Windows 95 launch and its mega-impact on the training industry. While there have been many major launches of software products and certifications since Windows 95, none has felt as significant as CMMC. In short, THIS IS BIG!
This issue covers CMMC as a topic and how you can take advantage of the training opportunities that have been created. We’ve been working on this for quite some time, so we are prepared to help you get started with your launch, which will likely be bigger than Win 95…
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CMMC Is More than Just a “One Class, One Certification” Opportunity
by Jon O'Keefe, Technology Education Jedi
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 Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is based on a series of 17 different domains, each with a multitude of best practices that organizations will have to be assessed on in the next few years. This is going to impact all members of the Defense Department supply chain, not just organizations of specific sizes and resources. These domains include topics like Incident Response, Risk Management, Awareness and Training, and Auditing and Accountability.
The fastest way for an organization to get assessed and reach their desired goals is to get their IT personnel certified in these topics with corresponding high stakes, industry-recognized certifications. Logical Operations is the exclusive vendor of several of these certifications with CyberSec First Responder™, Certified Dark Web Analyst, Cyber Secure Coder, while we also sell courseware that maps to CISSP, CISM, and CISA.
Not only can Logical Operations help you through the process of offering CMMC training, but we can also help you offer the other corresponding certifications as well. Major organizations are already training on CMMC and looking for providers to help them with these certifications. Every moment spent NOT OFFERING these certifications is a moment where you are losing out on potential students and revenue.
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The CMMC Initiative – Driving Security Training Demand in 2021 and Beyond
by Jon O'Keefe, Technology Education Jedi
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The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and Shared Security initiative is the most ambitious, forward-thinking piece of security framework in the history of the Department of Defense (DoD). Focusing on combining several pieces of disparate best practices together, this all-encompassing certification and assessment process is set to majorly impact the DoD supply chain over the next few years.
 What will its impact be outside of the fed space? It is likely to be monumental for cybersecurity best practices moving forward. The private sector has been looking to NIST and to similar federal best practices for years. Many companies who participate in the DoD supply chain also produce and sell commercial products and will have to require similar types of standards from vendors that they work with. According to Gordon Bitko, former CIO of the FBI, “There is a notable likelihood similar provisions will be contemplated at the state and local level.”
This all points to a strong impact on the cybersecurity landscape as we know it. By identifying 17 different domains and assigning best practices for 5 different levels of compliance, the CMMC framework is likely to become the dominant document for all things cybersecurity in both the federal space and the commercial space. If you have been holding off on offering cybersecurity training, or are only offering the basics, there has never been a better time to take the next step.
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Webinar Recording | CMMC: What You Need to Know
by Jon O'Keefe, Technology Education Jedi
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There are over 350,000 organizations that will need training in CMMC by FY 2025 and beyond. There will need to be an all-hands-on-deck push for training at most of these organizations. In case you missed our recent webinar, click here to watch the recording and learn more about CMMC and how you can fit into the CMMC training ecosystem and service your customers with the training they will require.
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Quality Accredited CMMC Curriculum from Logical Operations
by Nancy Curtis, VP, Content
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 In 2020, Logical Operations was honored when the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body designated us as an inaugural Licensed Partner Publisher (LPP). Our Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) courseware is complete and is now with ProCert Labs pending the CMMC-AB’s required accreditation review. We’ll make it available for purchase to Licensed Training Providers as soon as possible after we receive official ProCert and CMMC-AB approval.
But you don’t have to wait for the final course release to get a look at the Logical Operations materials! We’ve created a pre-release sampler pack to give LTPs and prospective instructors early insight into the structure, approach, and coverage of the CCP curriculum. Jedi Jon will be happy to send you a copy of the sampler pack, just ask!
You’ll see that we’ve taken a creative approach to the curriculum design, both in CCP and Certified CMMC Assessor Level 1 (CCA-1) (currently in development). To reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of the CMMC process and standards, the curriculum focuses more on presentation materials, student engagement, and instructor support, and less on static instructional text. The courseware manual features searchable replicas of all the presentation slides, scripted interactive activities, and a complete Glossary and Index, along with ample space for student notetaking. The accompanying instructor slide decks provide you with detailed delivery suggestions and presentation support.
LO is grateful to our distinguished authoring team of CMMC experts — James Goepel, Chris Golden, Tara Lemieux, and Matthew Titcombe — for their support and contributions to our CMMC curriculum products. Thank you, team!
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Latest Product Highlights
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Content Revisions
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Logical Operations revises student and instructor materials based on technical changes, customer feedback, and our own assessment of necessary changes. The revision notes for the most recent updates are below as well as posted on the new Content Revisions page. Use this page as a resource to quickly access and view all revision details for any of our recent course updates.
093064 - Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®): Sixth Edition
For version 1.1, the Mastery Builder sections that were inadvertently omitted in v1.0 have been reinstated.
094022 - Advanced Programming Techniques with Python®
For version 1.1, minor image/wording changes to Activities 5-3, 5-4, 6-2, 7-4, and 8-3.
091159 - VBA with Microsoft® Excel®
For version 1.1, changes have been made to activities and data files to use a localhost-based data service in order to eliminate dependence on an external web-based data provider.
091158 - Programming and Data Wrangling with VBA and Excel®
For version 1.1, changes have been made to activities and data files to use a localhost-based data service in order to eliminate dependence on an external web-based data provider.
Reminder: When viewing a product on the store, check the Revision Information tab to see the summary description of the most recent revision for that product at any time.
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Upskilling Employees – How to Prepare Yourself to Meet the CMMC Domain Demand
by Jon O'Keefe, Technology Education Jedi
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The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and its incorporated domain assessments are going to drive a lot of training demands over the next five years and beyond. If you are a technical trainer or are interested in offering a variety of technical courses, here is exactly what you can do to prepare for CMMC and the other certifications around it.
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 Offer CMMC-CCP training: Currently available for any trainer in its pre-authorized state, you can begin to understand the basics of CMMC. When the official certification is released, you can then become certified through the CMMC-AB and be one of the premier trainers offering this class and certification. Contact me to learn more.
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Offer CMMC Assessment training: In the next 6 months, the CMMC-AB will release the official Assessor Certification(s), designated as CCA-1 and CCA-3. All Third-Party Assessment Organizations will need to have a CCA-1 and CCA-3 on staff. There will be a huge demand for CCA-1 and CCA-3 certified individuals, and they will need training from authorized trainers. Contact me to learn more.
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Offer CyberSec First Responder: CyberSec First Responder is going to be a key certification for organizations who want to be CMMC assessed and certified. This class covers the Incident Response domain thoroughly and is already approved on the DoD 8570 schedule. Instructors with appropriate credentials qualify for a FREE self-paced eLearning and discounted voucher. Contact me to learn more.
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Offer CISSP training and Exam Prep: Logical Operations has written comprehensive instructor and student guides for previous and current versions of CISSP. Our full student kit with exam simulator gives students the highest chance to pass their exam and earn their certification, and it requires none of the hoops you have to jump through with ISC2. We are currently running a heavily discounted student kit/exam simulator combo that you can use to offer your next CISSP class.
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Offer Certified Dark Web Analyst: Everywhere you turn in the security world, you’re running into the Dark Web. Organizations are now beginning to use the Dark Web as part of their security strategy, although it isn’t an easy place to just drop in and navigate. The CDWA class and certification gives security professionals the tools they need to help their organizations use the Dark Web for their defensive security posture. It is also a critical part of the CMMC framework. Contact me to learn more.
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Offer CyberSAFE: 90% of cybersecurity incidents occur due to some type of end user error. Whether it is a phishing email or someone getting socially engineered, the end users inside all businesses big and small are the targets of cyber criminals. CyberSAFE is a comprehensive, end-user awareness training that can be delivered through ILT or eLearning to organizations of any size. It is the perfect short training to help any business with their most vulnerable assets: their employees. Contact me to learn more.
There is a world of possibilities out there for trainers considering the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and Shared Security Framework. Let us help you take advantage of them. Contact me with any questions!
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Customization Options for Content that Maps to a Certification
by Andrea Montanarella, Manager, Custom Production
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 When content maps to certifications, like CMMC, there are still options for customization!
Are you an instructor who wants to change the order in which you deliver your material? Do you want to change the cover or add your own personal logo? These are all available through our customization process.
We know instructors appreciate the design and layout of the Logical Operations content. However, did you know that you can re-sequence and re-group your content to complement your teaching style?
For a quick review of customization, watch this short demo video.
Andrea Montanarella
Manager, Custom Production
cprint@logicaloperations.com
1-800-456-4677—Option 4 | Direct: 585-350-7014
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A Featured Guest from CertNexus: Meet Jeff Felice
Like many English Literature majors who did not immediately pursue an advanced degree, I searched for a profession where I could leverage my written communication skills. After a very brief career as a journalist, I pivoted into a career of technology publishing. That early career decision has stuck, and for the past twenty-five years, I have enjoyed a career in an industry that falls under several descriptors – EdTech, IT Training, and Learning & Development. Regardless of how you categorize it, our business is about improving lives through education.
In my current role as President of CertNexus, I co-lead – with my colleague Megan Smith Branch – a certification company focused on validating vendor-neutral, emerging technology knowledge and skills. We currently focus on data-driven technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data science, Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity. CertNexus’ origins were in cybersecurity as we launched our first certification, CyberSec First Responder™ (CFR). CFR has since been accredited by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to fulfill Directive 8570/8140 requirements while also mapping to the NIST NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. Within the implementation of CMMC, CFR maps to 13 of 171 practices across 17 domains – demonstrating the importance of incident response to our national security.
The ability for CertNexus to contribute towards our nation’s cyber posture is one of many reasons why I enjoy my work at CertNexus. As a high-growth company, we are focused on helping organizations to address the growing emerging tech skills gap. As equally important, and many times what brings us the most pride, is that we are providing pathways for individuals to rewarding emerging tech careers. Although we have the typical measures for our company which we aim to exceed, we get equally jazzed about the stories we hear when a CertNexus credential has changed the trajectory of a person’s career.
When I am not at work, you can typically find me cycling, with my nose in a book, spending time with my wife and dog, and hopefully again soon traveling. A fun travel fact, I have visited 44 of the 50 US States and 41 countries to date. I look forward to exploring more of the world and meeting those who have helped or are being helped by CertNexus.
If you'd like to connect with me on LinkedIn, click here.
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