Technology Electronic Reviews
Volume 14, Number 1, June 2007

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REVIEW OF: Susan Snedaker. (2006). Syngress IT Security Project Management. Rockland, Ma.: Syngress Publishing, Inc. (ISBN: 1597490768). 612 pp. $59.95.

By Christine Noonan

The need to secure data is more important than ever. Driven by data privacy issues, the need to achieve regulatory and audit compliance and protect enterprise data from internal and external threats, IT security project management (PM) is a high priority. Internal data provides companies with a competitive edge; they store personal and confidential information and log e-commerce transactions. Should a network breach occur, what are the immediate impacts? Not only is the company’s reputation on the line but there exists the potential for serious economic and legal impacts as well.

Snedaker’s book is a comprehensive guide to planning and implementing an IT security project which gives network administrators the tools to meet today’s security needs while addressing future requirements; including the alignment of security and business goals as a major building block to successful PM. It is written for an audience with a concrete understanding of IT PM and an adequate comprehension of network security. The author’s expertise is combined with specialized coverage of key project areas which creates a valuable reference book for IT professionals responsible for enterprise-wide security projects.

Thirteen chapters move the reader through the basic PM building blocks to defining and organizing the security project, building quality, forming a team, planning, managing and closing out the project and documenting project specific plans including, corporate, general, IT infrastructure, wireless and operational security. Each chapter ends with a succinct summary and a bulleted list of fast track solutions detailing main concepts for the reader to take away.

This book is well written in easy-to-digest language and a highly accessible format. It is recommended for large public libraries and academic and special library collections. Additional resources are available on the publisher’s website and, with registration readers can access a downloadable electronic version of How to Cheat at IT Project Management, a nice companion to this book.

Christine Noonan is currently an Information Specialist in the Pacific Northwest.

Copyright © 2007 by Christine Noonan. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for noncommercial, educational, or scientific purposes, provided that the preceding copyright statement and source are clearly acknowledged. All other rights are reserved. For permission to reproduce or adapt this document or any part of it for commercial distribution, address requests to the author.

Technology Electronic Reviews (TER) is an irregular electronic serial publication of the Library and Information Technology Association, a division of the American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. The primary function of TER is to provide reviews of and pointers to a variety of print and electronic resources about information technology. Resources include books, articles, serials, discussion lists, training materials, bibliographies, and other items of interest to librarians and information technology professionals. The topics covered may include, but are not limited to, networking technologies and standards; hardware and software; operating systems; databases; specific programming languages; management tools and utilities; technical project management; training and personnel issues; library perspectives; and research and development.

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