FRAMINGHAM, Mass., October 14, 2011 – Three new MarketScape reports from International Data Corporation (IDC) profile and position the leading providers in the worldwide server management certification, security management certification, and network certification markets. IDC MarketScape vendor analysis reports utilize a rigorous scoring methodology that produces a definitive assessment of each vendor’s current market capabilities and strategies for competing in the future.

IDC research shows that IT organizations with higher percentages of certified security administrators and managers demonstrate improved operational performance in several areas, including:

• Increased network security performance,
• Decreased spending on external support for network security,
• More endpoint security, and
• More rapid virus detection and removal.

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Security Management Certification 2011 Vendor Analysis (IDC #230717) evaluates the relative offerings, capabilities, and future prospects of the following vendors: Cisco, ComptTIA, IBM, Microsoft, Novell, and Symantec. The analysis found all of these vendors to have high levels of competence. Three vendors – ComptTIA, Microsoft, and Symantec – were placed in the Leaders category.

IDC research has also found that IT organizations with higher percentages of certified network administrators and managers demonstrate improved operational performance in several areas, including

• Increased network security compliance,
• Increased network availability, and
• Decreased spending on external network support assistance.

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Network Certification 2011 Vendor Analysis (IDC #230636) evaluates the offerings, capabilities, and prospects of Cisco, Citrix, ComptTIA, HP, IBM, Microsoft, and Novell. This research showed that for the most part these certifications have authorized training to support preparation, use good administration techniques including publishing objectives and ensuring objectives align with test items, and offer a strong path for candidates with a range of specialties to reflect increased capabilities of candidates. The Leaders in this MarketScape are HP, IBM, and Novell.

Finally, IDC research shows that organizations with higher percentages of certified server administrators and managers demonstrate improved operational performance in the following areas:

• Increased on-time deployment of applications and other capabilities,
• Increased server availability and failure recovery speed, and
• Increased rate of centralized administration.

IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Server Management Certification 2011 Vendor Analysis (IDC #230629) evaluates the offerings, capabilities, and prospects of Citrix, ComptTIA, HP, IBM, and Microsoft. IT The Leader for this market is IBM.

"The real value of a certification is in the degree to which it improves a candidate's performance compared with noncertified peers," stated Cushing Anderson, program vice president, Project-Based Services. "While consultants and partners leverage technical certification training, individual employees are the largest and most dynamic portion of the audience for certifications. Certification sponsors should measure the impact on performance their certifications have and should promote that impact as a way to both improve their client's IT operations, and demonstrate the value of the specific certification."

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

For more information about IDC MarketScape, please contact Karen Moser at kmoser@idc.com.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 100 countries. For more than 47 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.