Mailbag: IT user groups

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In a recent newsletter, I asked you to let me know if you’re involved with any IT professional associations. While some groups have had trouble attracting members in recent years, it’s clear that there are still many active groups.

Like me, some of you may not be aware of all these choices, so I hope you’ll find this round-up list helpful. What follows are descriptions of the groups your colleagues told me about.

* One security professional cited a litany of organizations relevant to his profession. They include the Information Systems Security Association (https://www.issa.org/), Information Systems Forensics Association (www.infoforensics.org), the information sharing network InfraGard (https://www.infragard.net/), High Technology Crime Investigation Association (https://htcia.org/), and the Independent Computer Consultants Association (www.icca.org). Another security pro also mentioned ISSA.

* Anton Oberjat of the computer services department at School Sisters of Notre Dame, has been involved with the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) Milwaukee chapter for several years. He’s held positions on the board at both the student chapter level and professional chapter level. “The organization has provided e with several means of improving my career, and a list of associates within the IT community,” he writes.

* The Nortel Networks Users Association has more than 7,000 members worldwide, according to Isabel Sanderson, a member of the executive board of the NNUA in South Africa and IT director for Vista University. She reports that the South African group, which is responsible for Africa and the Middle East, has seen phenomenal growth since gaining international affiliation in June. In fact, INNUA MEA is hosting its first conference Sept. 25 – 28 in Sun City. Go to www.innua.org