This Week: Certifications and Gas Grills

Two members of GraVoc's information security team, President/CEO Dave Gravel and his son Nate Gravel, have been grandfathered into the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). The CRISC certification is the newest of ISACA's four certifications.

This certification is for "IT professionals who have hands-on experience with risk identification, assessment, and evaluation; risk response; risk monitoring, [information systems] control design and implementation; and [information systems] control monitoring and maintenance." As the certification requires eight years of experience in information security and risk management, the CRISC designation is perhaps the most selective of ISACA's widely-accepted certifications.

Meanwhile, limited parking, rain showers, and unseasonably cool temperatures weren't enough to deter dozens of members of the North Shore business community from attending GraVoc's barbecue Thursday night. This event was part of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce's "Business After Hours" networking event series. The event was characterized by an extensive spread of burgers, hot dogs, beverages, and desserts. GraVoc is extremely appreciative of everyone who attended, and hopes everyone was satisfied by the atmosphere and the food.

GraVoc Associates, Inc, based in Peabody, MA, is a technology consulting firm focused on helping businesses in the practices of information security, professional services, information systems, and media production. For more information regarding GraVoc's wide range of services (the diversity of which became a punch line at Thursday's barbecue), please peruse the archives of the GraVoc News Blog or visit http://www.gravoc.com.

GraVoc Staff Earns Certifications

In response to the business environment becoming more competitive, several GraVoc Associates professionals have demonstrated their competence in GraVoc’s three practices of information systems, information technology, and technology and professional services.  Several staff members have earned certifications over the course of the summer, and the organization is using this space to congratulate them:

• Nate Gravel has achieved the CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) certification from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).  There are only about 10,000 CISMs worldwide, and Nate, 24, is likely one of the youngest to earn this certification.  A CISM demonstrates experience in the fields of information security governance, information risk management, information security program development and management, and incident response.  Nate also earned a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM software.
• Eric Hannabury has added his seventh MCP distinction, as he successfully earned certification in the installation and configuration of Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0.  Eric already holds the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification, one of the premiere validations of technical capabilities in designing and implementing Microsoft network infrastructure.
• Ron Smoller, also an MCSE, has earned his sixth MCP distinction in the installation and deployment of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.
• Doug Tilley earned an MCP in the field of Microsoft Dynamics GP 10.0 Financials.
• Matt Wilkins earned an MCP in the area of the customization and configuration of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0.

GraVoc Associates, Inc, located in Peabody, MA, has served Greater Boston, New England, and beyond in the three practices of information systems, information security, and technology and professional services.  Like any company, GraVoc relies on the strength of its employees, as knowledgeable employees help GraVoc better serve its clients.  For more information about the range of services offered by GraVoc, please visit www.gravoc.com.

GraVoc in Puerto Rico

On Friday, December 5th, a representative from GraVoc attended the 7th Annual Symposium of ISACA’s Puerto Rican Chapter in San Juan. The event featured a wide variety of speakers who addressed a number of issues pertinent to information security and information security consulting today. Attendance at the symposium was just the first step in an ongoing effort to extend our consulting services to the island.