Free Cyber Security Training Certificates

Check out these Free Cyber Security Training certificates:

https://www.act-online.net/

Registration is required, but the courses are fully online and free. CEUs are available through the University of Memphis for a small processing fee.

IA General / Non-Technical

Information Security for Everyone
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-175-W

Cyber Ethics
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-174-W

Cyber Law and White Collar Crime
Under Review by DHS

IA Technical / IT Professional

Information Security Basics
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-173-W

Secure Software
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-178-W

Network Assurance
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-138-W

Digital Forensics Basics
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-139-W

IA for Business Professionals

Business Information Continuity
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-176-W

Information Risk Management
DHS Approved: TEI Course Number: AWR-177-W

Cyber Incident Analysis and Response
Under Review by DHS

Should Employers "Stalk" Employees on Facebook?

Herein lies the problem... Nearly anything that you discuss or post anywhere could be taken out of context by someone and used to "stalk" you. On social networking sites, the term "stalk" means to hunt for information that would harm someone and harass them with it. Isn't that what businesses are doing when the look at social networking sites to perform background checks?

For example, say that you mention in the lunch room that you and your family had a great time at Disneyworld; this information gets around the company and your boss thinks you don't need a raise right now, because you can afford to go to Disneyworld.

Now, add Facebook to the mix. You or one of your family members mention on Facebook that you had fun in Disneyworld. Everyone is able to snoop around and find the pictures, etc. The problem is not that you used Facebook; the problem is that people in your company may not understand how to properly use social networking sites. Hence, just because you took your family to Disneyworld doesn't mean you don't need a raise.

Facebook is not the problem, but it does make it easier for the company to stalk employees and misuse information. That same information could be obtained by eavesdropping in the lunch room or driving by an employee's house and looking through the windows.

The problem is sharing information with people at work in general and not necessarily through Facebook. Social networking may accelerate dysfunctional processes already present within an organization. Of course, who wants to work for a company that operates like that?

Twitter 101 for Business on SlideShare

Check out this Twitter 101 for Business on SlideShare:

http://www.slideshare.net/simplyarun/twitter-101-for-business-2016139

Pay particular attention to the Best Practices slides 11 through 13. Slide 12, the contents of which I have annotated here, is very useful for businesses learning how to take advantage of Twitter's collective audience:

1. Businesses can ask questions, float ideas, and solicit feedback;
2. Search Twitter for comments about a new product launch;
3. Find satisfied and dissatisfied customers, and provide service accordingly

What is the Job Design Framework for Information Systems?

The job design framework (Pearlson & Saunders, 2005) is used by information technology professionals to assess how emerging technologies can affect work within the organization. The goal is maximum effectiveness of the information system within the organization.

The relatively simple framework of job design questions enables the linking of information system decisions with organizational strategy. Hence, key characteristics of jobs are designed with respect to information systems to facilitate performance, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction of the worker. The following questions are asked:

What tasks are to be completed? What are the outcomes, inputs, and transformation of the inputs into outputs?

How will the tasks be performed? Specialist? Computer?

Who will complete the tasks? What skills? What department? What workgroup?

Where will the tasks be performed? Locally? Remotely? Dispersed group?

How can information systems increase performance, effectiveness and satisfaction of those performing the tasks? How can humans and information systems work together? How will information technology transfer be accepted and even embraced?

Reference

Pearlson, K. E. & Saunders, C. S. (2005). Managing and using information systems. A strategic approach (3rd ed.). Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

The Free Nonprofit Micro-eMBA(SM)

Check out the Free Management Libary's Free Nonprofit Micro-eMBA(SM):

http://www.managementhelp.org/np_progs/org_dev.htm

This is a free, non-degree granting program that covers the basics of operating a non-profit organization from the perspective of the CEO / Executive Director.

Peachtree and Quickbooks Video Accounting Training

TeachUComp, Inc. (Home page, n.d.) features low-cost video training for basic accounting, Peachtree and Quickbooks.

Basic Accounting -- covers the bookkeeping aspects of the accounting cycle separate from any specific computerized solution in 3 hours and 92 video lessons.

Peachtree Training -- explains how to exploit the power of this classic accounting package in 8 hours and 122 video lessons.

Ouickbooks Training -- explains how to setup Quickbooks with enough detail to make the software powerful enough to facilitate the early stages of your company's growth.

Reference

TeachUComp (n.d.). Home page. Retrieved September 21, 2009 from http://www.teachucomp.com

Understanding Accounting Ledger (Debit / Credit) Entries

Financial Statement	Account Type	Normal Balance	To Increase	To Decrease
Balance Sheet	Assets	Debit	Debit	Credit
Balance Sheet	Liabilities	Credit	Credit	Debit
Balance Sheet	Equity	Credit	Credit	Debit
Income Statement	Revenue	Credit	Credit	Debit
Income Statement	Gains	Credit	Credit	Debit
Income Statement	Expenses	Debit	Debit	Credit
Income Statement	Losses	Debit	Debit	Credit

You Can Call Me Floyd

I’m saddened to hear of Mr. Floyd Fulton's passing in Paradise, CA on September 1st. He was my Yuba City High School electronics teacher for three of fours years that I took shop. He taught me about quality, important electronics stuff, and to try new things but NOT burn down the shop... He was also a good Christian example. A few months back, when I was trying to get Comcast to make their "comcastic" cable service work, I drew again (for what seemed like the thousandth time) from my electronics shop training. Mr. Fulton suffered a stroke several years ago. When I visited him in the nursing home, he said, "You can call me Floyd." I couldn't. I had too much respect for him. Many thanks to Ken and Patricia Atwood, who helped minister to Mr. Fulton all these years!