Certiport today launched the latest version of the worldwide digital literacy certification program: Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®). This newest version—dubbed IC³ Global Standard 3 (GS3)—is the third installment of the regularly updated standard. Ratified last year by the Global Digital Literacy Council (GDLC), the new standard received input from more than 400 subject matter experts from around the world.

New content in the IC³ GS3 exams addresses:

• Tools that emphasize communication and collaboration such as instant messaging, Web conferencing, social networking, wikis and blogs
• The updated user interface and navigation reflected in Windows® Vista and Microsoft® Office 2007
• The common and practical uses for word processing, worksheet and presentation software
• Internet safety protocols that guard against fraud and to protect privacy

“Our goal with IC³ GS3 is to validate skills using the latest information and communications technologies and those aspects that make up the backbone of computing,” said Ray Kelly, president and CEO of Certiport. “Digital literacy should be the union between what is not only current but also relevant.”

IC³ certification is achieved by passing three component exams: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications and Living Online. Computing Fundamentals tests the foundational knowledge of computers and computing technology. Key Applications covers word processing, spreadsheet and presentation applications and the common features of all applications. Living Online addresses the skills for working in an Internet or networked environment.

Since the first standard was launched in 2001, the certification program has gained international notoriety as the premier digital literacy standard. Over the years, Certiport IC³ has been endorsed by several governmental education bodies, backed by CompTIA as the foundational credential for all other technical certifications, aligned with NETS computing standards for students and teachers from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).

The new exams are currently available to Certiport testing centers in English. Other language versions will become available in subsequent releases. For more information about Certiport IC³, go to www.certiport.com/ic3.

ABOUT CERTIPORT

Certiport prepares individuals with current and relevant digital skills and credentials for the competitive global workforce. These solutions are delivered by more than 12,000 Certiport Centers worldwide and include Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®), the official Microsoft® Office certification programs and the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program. For more information, visit www.certiport.com.

"Certiport" and "IC³" are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. "Microsoft" is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.