Network Professional Association
Encyclopedia
Established 1991, the non-profit
Network Professional Association (NPA) is an professional association for computer network
professionals. Members adhere to a code-of ethics; demonstrate continual professional development and knowledge, adhers to the latest best practice
standards, and strive for continual growth. International awards for professionalism honor individuals for outstanding achievements and meeting the values of professionalism.
The NPA offers a Certified Network Professional CNP credential and provides advocacy
for workers in the field. Members receive a certificate of membership, quarterly Journal publications, chapters and programs, and opportunities to volunteer and publish.
Each NPA chapter draws its members from a defined geographic area. The NPA chapter is a catalyst for good business and career leads or contacts, an inexpensive education
program, and a stepping stone from formal education or a prior career into network computing.
The Network Professional Association introduced the Certified Network Professional (CNP) designation in 1994. Previously, IT networking practitioners had no professional designation. The NPA, through the volunteer efforts of its members, is involved in initiatives related to setting standards within the IT networking profession: the professional credentialing/certification of individual IT practitioners (the CNP) and maintaining the code of ethics and accountability
for the profession. The CNP was updated and re-released to the community in October 2005. NPA's goal is for CNP to be recognized as a seal of approval in the same way that the Certified Public Accountant
(CPA) is recognized for accountants.
magazine, Network World Magazine, Interop
, National Seminars, Pearson Technology Group, Microsoft
, and Novell
. Award recipients are recognized for valuable contributions, their continued focus on computer networking and professionalism, and the respect of their peers. An international industry pane of judges reviews submissions and make recommendations for recognition.
The awards are presented at the Interop Las Vegas
trade show each year.
s relevant to the industry. Accepted technical content deals with the advancement of professionalism for the CNP, philosophical or standards based technical discussion, or technical reference guides.
The NPA provides event promotion for network computing professionals. NPA members enjoy discounts on access, exhibition space and sponsorship packages, and conference passes. Conferences and events include: 1992 Hands on Technology Labs staged at NetWorld; NPA’s Integrate Conferences 1996-98;--and since 2002: IT Roadmap; Virtualization Executive Forum; e-Financial WorldExpo; Government & Health Technologies Forums; NetWorld+Interop; LinuxWorld Canada; Desktop Summit; Business Information Security; IT Program Management Office Best Practices; Networking Decisions Conference; National Cyber Security Awareness Month; INBOX; Enterprise Messaging Decisions; PlanetStorage; Wireless & Mobile WorldExpo; Data Protection Summit.
NPA provides affinity programs and co-operative programs with other industry groups. Some include: Working Advantage; Health Card Program; Pearson Technology Bookstore; Credit Card & Training Discounts; Software / Products; Insurance Brokerage Services; e-Store; Education/Training Loans.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
Network Professional Association (NPA) is an professional association for computer network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
professionals. Members adhere to a code-of ethics; demonstrate continual professional development and knowledge, adhers to the latest best practice
Best practice
A best practice is a method or technique that has consistently shown results superior to those achieved with other means, and that is used as a benchmark...
standards, and strive for continual growth. International awards for professionalism honor individuals for outstanding achievements and meeting the values of professionalism.
The NPA offers a Certified Network Professional CNP credential and provides advocacy
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
for workers in the field. Members receive a certificate of membership, quarterly Journal publications, chapters and programs, and opportunities to volunteer and publish.
Description
The NPA sponsors local chapters, a certification designation, an opportunity to publish, promotion of industry events and conferences and affinity programs to provide personal goods, opportunities and discounts to NPA professionals.Each NPA chapter draws its members from a defined geographic area. The NPA chapter is a catalyst for good business and career leads or contacts, an inexpensive education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
program, and a stepping stone from formal education or a prior career into network computing.
Certified Network Professional Program
The Network Professional Association introduced the Certified Network Professional (CNP) designation in 1994. Previously, IT networking practitioners had no professional designation. The NPA, through the volunteer efforts of its members, is involved in initiatives related to setting standards within the IT networking profession: the professional credentialing/certification of individual IT practitioners (the CNP) and maintaining the code of ethics and accountability
Accountability
Accountability is a concept in ethics and governance with several meanings. It is often used synonymously with such concepts as responsibility, answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and other terms associated with the expectation of account-giving...
for the profession. The CNP was updated and re-released to the community in October 2005. NPA's goal is for CNP to be recognized as a seal of approval in the same way that the Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
(CPA) is recognized for accountants.
Awards
The Network Professional Association announced Awards for Professionalism in 2002. The Distinguished Fellows membership class recognizes sustained lifelong excellence in the field. The NPA received support for the awards from many partners, Network ComputingNetwork computing
Network computing is a generic term in computing which refers to computers or nodes working together over a network.It may also mean:*Cloud computing*Distributed computing*Virtual Network Computing...
magazine, Network World Magazine, Interop
Interop
Interop is an annual trade fair for information technology organised by UBM TechWeb. It takes place at four different locations at various times of the year: Mumbai , New York , Tokyo, and Las Vegas...
, National Seminars, Pearson Technology Group, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, and Novell
Novell
Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...
. Award recipients are recognized for valuable contributions, their continued focus on computer networking and professionalism, and the respect of their peers. An international industry pane of judges reviews submissions and make recommendations for recognition.
The awards are presented at the Interop Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
trade show each year.
Other prorgams
The Network Professional Journal (NPJ) is a publishing service to and for network professionals. NPA members author articleArticle (publishing)
An article is a written work published in a print or electronic medium. It may be for the purpose of propagating the news, research results, academic analysis or debate.-News articles:...
s relevant to the industry. Accepted technical content deals with the advancement of professionalism for the CNP, philosophical or standards based technical discussion, or technical reference guides.
The NPA provides event promotion for network computing professionals. NPA members enjoy discounts on access, exhibition space and sponsorship packages, and conference passes. Conferences and events include: 1992 Hands on Technology Labs staged at NetWorld; NPA’s Integrate Conferences 1996-98;--and since 2002: IT Roadmap; Virtualization Executive Forum; e-Financial WorldExpo; Government & Health Technologies Forums; NetWorld+Interop; LinuxWorld Canada; Desktop Summit; Business Information Security; IT Program Management Office Best Practices; Networking Decisions Conference; National Cyber Security Awareness Month; INBOX; Enterprise Messaging Decisions; PlanetStorage; Wireless & Mobile WorldExpo; Data Protection Summit.
NPA provides affinity programs and co-operative programs with other industry groups. Some include: Working Advantage; Health Card Program; Pearson Technology Bookstore; Credit Card & Training Discounts; Software / Products; Insurance Brokerage Services; e-Store; Education/Training Loans.