College (and Training) for free?
An interesting movement is taking place in higher education -- free, online learning. Visit any of your favorite university websites and you'll likely find some free online classes available to anyone. These are the same courses being offered in the traditional brick and mortar classrooms around the country (that students may be paying $50,000 per year to attend.)
At Ping, we're catching the wave. In fact, we've been riding it for some time. Ping Identity offers free, online classes. The reason we do this is because we know that our success is based on our customers' success. Not everyone has the ability, or the budget to attend a classroom-based course. That shouldn't stop you from getting your job done.
Our classes try to replicate the in-person experience: a real instructor delivers the content; you can get your questions answered in real-time; and we'll give you a lab environment for the hands-on component. Even more, you can come back and take the class as many times as you need. We also know that some people prefer a real classroom, so we offer that too. In fact, we encourage people to attend both. Prepare for the classroom course by taking the online course beforehand. You'll be well prepared to get all your questions answered before you start attacking your implementation.
In the corporate world, when the economy begins to fail, what's the first thing that gets cut? Chances are the answer is training and development, or travel. Naturally, the amount of work is never reduced. Business objectives remain the same.
That's what creates the gap Ping can fill. We like the online education trend we're seeing among colleges and universities. Give accessibility to people that can't afford or can't get to the physical class. Give anyone who wants to learn about a topic the chance to do so without entrance exams or pre-requisites. It is an idea that is going to change the fabric of higher education.
If you are interested in extending your formal education check out EdX.org and Coursera.org, which partner with several top universities to offer an extensive course catalog, (which means you don't have to go searching.)
If you want to grow your identity management career sign up for Ping training now!