Welcome to my blog - the blog of Claude L. Williams, CISSP former Vice President of Sales and Marketing - (ISC)2 Institute and Head of Business Development - (ISC)2 Americas

This blog is currently dedicated to my campaign for the 2010 International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium's [(ISC)²'s] board of directors. Please read the following blogs on my reasons for running and my qualifications :

1. Why I am Campaigning for Membership on the (ISC)² Board of Directors
   
   a.) More International Support for Our Mission
   b.) A Real Plan for Growing CISSP^(r) Concentrations (ISSAP^(r) & ISSMP^(r))
   c.) A Strategy for Better CSSLP^(r) Market Penetration
   
   
2. Why I am Qualifiedfor the (ISC)² Board of Directors

Please consider a vote for me. Log in today and write my name into the write-in candidate spot.  Below is a screen shot to assist you with the process.  All you will need to do is log in to the members’ website at http://www.isc2.org.  Once you log in, click the “Vote Now” link, and write me in: Claude Williams"!

2009 Board of Directors Election Ballot   Official Ballot Voting Ends – 5:00 p.m. EST, 30 November 2009. Official Ballot (ISC)² is governed by a board of directors. Directors are elected by (ISC)² members, i.e., certified individuals in good standing, to serve for three years. Terms are staggered so that a third of the directors are elected each year. This year there are four vacancies to be filled; you may vote for up to four candidates. Candidates must be CISSPs, CSSLPs, SSCPs, or CAPs in good standing who have agreed to serve if elected. The balloting process is confidential: Every effort has been made to ensure the confidentiality of your vote. All ballots cast are stored with unique identifiers. This prevent anyone from knowing how any person cast their vote by looking only at the file, but permits a review of the votes, should their integrity be questioned, by comparison to a master file. Upon completion of the election, the file is encrypted with a hash. The file is then reviewed and a vote count made by an independent party and who provides (ISC)² a formal report of the vote count. Results will be announced within two weeks following the close of the voting period. You may cast only one ballot and you may vote for up to five candidates. Please cast your ballot by checking off up to five candidates and clicking on the "Vote Now" button below. You may also vote for a write-in candidate as long as that individual is a CISSP, CSSLP, SSCP, or CAP in good standing. Name RequiredMember ID Required Your Name: * Member ID: * Candidates: Fleming Faber, CISSP Benjamin Gaddy, CISSP, SSCP, CSSLP David Krehnke, CISSP-ISSMP, CAP Alessandro Moretti, CISSP, CSSLP Howard Schmidt, CISSP, CSSLP Dr.Corey Schou, CSSLP, (ISC)2 Fellow Write-In Candidates: Write-In 1: Write-In 2:

Election Ballot

https://webportal.isc2.org/custom/ElectionBallot.aspx

Should you have any questions or wish to support me in any other way, please feel free to contact me. Thank you!

Sincerely,
Claude L. Williams, CISSP
c.williams@wmsconsultancy.com
(202) 470-2960
Skype ID: ClaudeLW

As a past member of the (ISC)² family (for 5 years), I have insider knowledge that is crucial to navigating the political and economical challenges of this great "Not-for-Profit" organization. I have an understanding of the internal "hot" button issues that can be instrumental in pushing through agenda items of the utmost concern to our members. Moreover, as I have met with many of our members world-wide as a leadership representative of (ISC)², members have expressed a disconnected feeling with the current board.  I truly believe that I can be a conduit to members regarding the activities of the board and provide my fair assessment on whether such activities are beneficial to our membership and profession. 

A summary of my technical and management experience and skills from my resume is below.

Senior Information Technology Executive successful and accomplished with a proven management track record and over 15 years of technical experience.  Expert in the design and delivery of cost-effective, high-performance information technology infrastructure and applications to address complex business problems.  Extensive qualifications in all facets of project life cycle, from initial feasibility analysis and conceptual design, through documentation, implementation, user training and enhancement.    Strong networking and telecommunications background with an ability to build and manage creative, highly energized, focused teams.  Key strengths include:

Developed excellent oral, written, and organizational skills. Outstanding ability to communicate with all personality types; a relationship builder. Dynamic, articulate, analytical, and results oriented; thrives on challenging projects. Ability to motivate staff and foster loyalty to achieve high levels of productivity. Refined presentation skills.

Diverse background in software development and network engineering. Robust record of success in achieving complex objectives and timelines within budget, and with high internal and external customer satisfaction. Thorough knowledge of information systems and how they relate to human resources and business functions.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

 

Mr. Williams has held many positions throughout his career from frontline audio/ video sales representative, systems analyst, director of technical programs, to executive roles as vice president of sales, marketing, and information technology.  The experience gained by successfully fulfilling each of those functions throughout his career, manifest in his well rounded understanding of business and information systems. 

                                      

Mr. Williams has negotiated major alliances, agreements, and contracts to advance revenue opportunities, extend new market opportunities, increase competitive advantage, and provide cost savings.  He has key relationships with upper management in innumerable market leading organizations in the U.S. and Internationally, both in the public and private sectors.   He has travelled the globe representing industry-recognized associations like (ISC)², IEEE Computer Society, and Business Continuity Institute.  He has spoken to tens of thousands at industry trade shows and conferences regarding information security and technology.

  

At a glance, Mr. Williams’ management profile includes the following accomplishments:

 

Developed technological solutions in support of business objectives. Developed policies, process, and procedures to meet corporate business requirements. Managed and authored technical proposals for perspective DOD projects. Identified viable business development opportunities and led capture teams. Managed budgets and led sales efforts of over $22 Million in Revenues. Demonstrated tact and tenacity in company negotiations.

Budgeted, staffed, and managed implementation teams for IT projects/programs. Implemented project controls using proven PMP methodology. Conducted weekly project reviews with team members and customers to ensure project success. Provided consultancy services to large corporations with regards to technology and technical training programs, and developed strategic plans.

Mr. Williams leads his teams by example, and motivates them with his energy and even-handed approach to handling challenges.  He simply doesn’t settle for failure and has an unyielding work ethic.

 
Mr. Williams has degrees in computer information systems, information security, and computer technology.  He is recognized by colleagues and corporations as a leader in information technology management.

Certification Achieved:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Novell Administrator (CNA), Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), Certified Novell Instructor (CNI)
• CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+), CompTIA Security+
•  Symantec Altiris Certified Engineer (ACE), Altiris Cerified Instructor (ACI)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) 2008, Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (NT 3.51, NT 4.0, Win 2000, Win 2003)  (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (Win 2003) (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Professional plus Internet (MCP + I), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer plus Internet (MCSE + I), Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)

Feel free to Blog me if you need or wish to know more!

(ISC)² needs to provide more international attention and support.  If I am elected to the board of directors I will promote an agenda to provide such through more regional representation outside of the United States. In addition, the current board of directors dismissed regional pricing as an option for countries with limited economies.  I consider that a mistake as it makes (ISC)² appear to be more profit oriented than their charter claims.  By such an action, (ISC)² is putting revenue above the mission of promoting an international standard for information security.

Addressing Latin America
Central and South America are experiencing rapid maturity in infrastructure, government, and military information security.  (ISC)² should be working with the leading regional governments and companies to assist in promoting sound international information security principles and industry "professionalization".  In my opinion, (ISC)² has been slow to support activities in this region.  Before I resigned my position with (ISC)², I personally recruited a regional representative in Brazil to support certification sales & marketing, and related educational services, in Latin America.  The firm I recruited was trilingual and had been supporting the mission of (ISC)² through admiration.  Even after giving the firm official support, we need to do much more throughout the region to advance recognition of our credentials. 

Addressing Asia
I believe (ISC)²'s choice to not allow a regional economic discount has greatly impacted growth in the Asian markets.  For the past five or so years the focus in Asia was centered primarily on Japan and South Korea where the economies are strongest.  Little progress has been made in other countries of that region.  With our new credential focused on security in software engineering, you would think (ISC)² would be pushing hard to have companies in countries like India adopt and promote it.  My fear is that the great potential of the CSSLP will be overshadowed by the only credential that has made any money for (ISC)², the CISSP. 

If elected to the board of directors, I will promote an agenda of strategic marketing and alliances that will help communicate the importance of standardizing security methodologies in software engineering to a region rich in engineering talent and companies.  Moreover, I will bring back the issue of regional economic discounts, and lobby for more localized marketing in support of our overall mission in Asia.

Addressing Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
(ISC)² has done a good job in Europe and the Middle East by establishing a strong presence in those regions, and making sound and beneficial alliances.  (ISC)² has had little penetration in the African region outside of South Africa. 

What I believe needs to be developed is a clear set of strategic objectives for these regions that would focus on countries that have been slow to adopt an international standard for information security.  Such objectives would also promote increasing customer/ member services in countries that have had little direct support from (ISC)² for candidates and members in the past.  As I traveled through Europe a few years back on behalf of (ISC)², I was amazed by the excitement expressed by members to my presence.  In Helsinki members were ecstatic that we would come so far at our own expense to be a part of their local ISSA event.  The same sentiment was expressed in Copenhagen and Madrid.  Such cities and countries have never been the main stops of the (ISC)² bus unfortunately, but I think that now needs to change for (ISC)² to continue to be an international standards organization.  As a result of the attention we provided, we had a near record number of candidates participate in our seminar and examination events that followed.

Moreover, as a member of the board of directors, I would promote the development of a concrete plan for growing the awareness of, and subsequent demand for, our other credentials (SSCP, CSSLP, ISSMP, ISSAP) in these regions.  A well thought out plan for growth in these areas is much needed along with metrics to understand that efforts of execution and resultant impact.  


Respectfully,
Claude L. Williams, CISSP
Candidate for the (ISC)² Board of Directors