The Security Catalyst

How hard is it to build trust?

“When people honor each other, there is a trust established that leads to synergy, interdependence, and deep respect. Both parties make decisions and choices based on what is right, what is best, what is valued most highly.” –Blaine Lee

In my last article, I introduced the efforts of CompTIA to address a growing need in business today with the Trustmark certification.  The Trustmark, initially focused on small and medium-sized VARs, represents a promising step forward in how businesses demonstrate and verify they protect information. As outlined in part one, I see a far larger benefit for small and medium businesses everywhere – provided Trustmark is positioned and grown properly.

Note: The more I think about Trustmark and the challenges of getting it right, the more I see vast potential. As such, I’m lengthening this article into a series of posts to share more ideas and invite constructive conversation.

 

The Challenges

Now I turn my attention to addressing the key challenges – with suggestions on how to meet and overcome them. This is also a call to action for professionals to come together to tackle these challenges industry-wide.

When I left the Trustmark workshop, I sensed the start of a necessary program that is heading in the right direction. In the weeks since, I have continued to consider the approach – and the challenges that must be overcome — in the context of my own experience with frameworks, education and industry measurement.

Aside: these challenges are not unique to Trustmark – these are challenges many of us face every day, especially when it comes to presentations, standards development, projects and our day-to-day activities.

The next few articles will address some of the key challenges and provide some insights – based on my experience – to successfully address those challenges.

1. No Need to Reinvent the Wheel
2. Provide Transparency with Support
3. Establish a Sound Audit Process

Make a Difference

While you may not (yet) share my enthusiasm for a way to verify how vendors and other businesses protect information, your experience, concerns, insights and ideas are essential to the success of this and other efforts. So – reach out to me by email, telephone, twitter or join me in the Security Catalyst Community to sound off.  I’m interested in any and all feedback – especially from small business owners, VARs, vendors, anyone who has been through this process. 

By blending our voices and experience together, we are able to influence positive change (while actively considering and addressing unintended consequences).

Stay tuned… 

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