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TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

Paul Ricketts

Paul Ricketts
Originally from the UK, Paul Ricketts is the Director of Marketing at TrainACE in Greenbelt, MD. Having started out in the field of Geographic Information Systems, Paul has a wealth of experience in a wide variety of industries, focused on tech., graphics and data analysis. Having finally settled in the field of marketing, he has spent the last 8 years fine tuning his skills in the art of communication and persuasion.

Recent Posts

Why and How to Start a Cybersecurity Career

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 26, 2019 9:13:00 AM / by Paul Ricketts posted in Jobs

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Almost everyone has inevitably been affected by malware or phishing scams. In 2019 alone there have been at least 48 security breaches involving large companies such as Houzz, Coffee Meets Bagel, and Facebook. Compromised personal data continues to headline the news, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

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What Jobs Can I Get in Virginia with a Network Plus Certification?

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 22, 2019 8:42:00 AM / by Paul Ricketts posted in Network+

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A CompTIA Network+ certification proves to prospective employers that you have the skills and knowledge to create, configure, manage, and troubleshoot wireless and wired networks. The Network+ certification that is provided by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), is well-known and sought after worldwide. In fact, it is globally recognized in more than 120 countries. It’s an IT certification that significantly enhances your career opportunities and earning potential.

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Is a Network Plus Certification Worth It in Maryland?

[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 17, 2019 8:38:00 AM / by Paul Ricketts

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The CompTIA Network+ certification has been around since 1999, when it was introduced by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). The certification was designed to test the skills of technicians with some experience with networking and the minimum knowledge that is needed for working on network design and implementation.

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The Cost Of CEH Certification and Training in 2021

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 25, 2019 1:38:00 PM / by Paul Ricketts posted in CEH, EC-Council, Ethical Hacking

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Updated June, 2021 - Information security professionals are in high demand — job opportunities and salaries are on the rise as organizations seek top talent to help defend cloud-based networks, improve application security, and develop innovative threat-reduction strategies.

The caveat is that field experience isn’t enough; companies want candidates whose qualifications include on-the-job training and industry-leading certifications. One of the most in-demand is the CEH certification.

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of CEH certification and how to get started.

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CCNA Training Cost in Maryland (2023)

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 18, 2019 1:32:00 PM / by Paul Ricketts posted in CCNA, Cisco

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Update Nov, 2023. With a huge skills gap in the IT sector, organizations in Washington DC and Maryland are looking for Cisco network specialists to build and maintain their IT infrastructure. IT professionals with hands-on experience and certifications in network technologies are commanding high salaries in rewarding roles.

One of the most sought-after networking qualifications is the CCNA certification, which covers networking fundamentals with a focus on Cisco network architecture and functionality. Given the sheer number of businesses around Maryland that rely on Cisco networks and services, earning this qualification offers substantive benefits for any IT professional looking to work in network planning, implementation, and management.

Preparing for the CCNA exam has associated time and financial costs, so let’s break down what CCNA is, the CCNA training cost, and how it can help boost long-term career success.

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What You Need to Know about CEH Certification

[fa icon="calendar'] Mar 12, 2019 1:22:03 PM / by Paul Ricketts posted in CEH, EC-Council, Ethical Hacking

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So, you’re excited about the possibility of getting into an ethical hacking career. You love the idea of using hacker’s tactics legally to help others protect themselves from cyber attacks. You’ve heard about CEH certification, but you’re not sure what it is or why it’s important to you as a potential ethical hacker.

Let’s break down EC-Councils’ CEH certification and why it’s an essential tool in a cybersecurity career.

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Will a CompTIA Security+ Certification Help You Find a Job?

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 28, 2019 2:36:08 PM / by Paul Ricketts posted in CompTIA, Cybersecurity, Security+

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Some of the best and most popular certifications in the IT industry are CompTIA certifications. But what can you do when you are starting out and have just passed the CompTIA Security+ exam? With the Security+ credential, but limited experience in information security, it may seem like you have to get other certifications in order to find a good job. But that isn’t the case. You can find great entry-level security jobs that you qualify for when you have a Security Plus certification.

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4 Transferable IT Skills To Achieve Career Advancement

[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 22, 2019 10:31:26 AM / by Paul Ricketts posted in CCNA, CEH, PMP, Network+, Security+, A+, career advice, CAPM

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Highly skilled IT professionals are in demand. Expanding corporate need is outstripping current candidate pools, and as a result, companies are now looking for outside-the-box IT skills that are transferable across job markets and can fill expanding cyber vacancies.

IT pros, meanwhile, aren’t static in their job searches. Recent data suggests the average worker changes jobs between 10 and 15 times over the course of his/her career. The reasons vary — better pay, improved benefits, greater autonomy — but IT career advancement often depends on transferable IT skills that are in demand across multiple industries. Let’s tackle the top four.

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IT Careers: How To Decide Which IT Career Suits You Best

[fa icon="calendar'] Jan 10, 2019 11:10:55 AM / by Paul Ricketts posted in Jobs

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What do digital transformation, rapid mobile adoption and increasing cloud uptake have in common? They’re driving substantial market growth for IT professionals. According to recent U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, IT will grow “faster than the average for all other occupations,” adding more than 500,000 jobs over the next five years.

If you’re considering careers in information technology, opportunity is knocking. The caveat? Figuring out your best fit.

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Here's How To Become A Computer Systems Analyst

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 12, 2018 11:46:06 AM / by Paul Ricketts posted in Jobs

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Companies need IT expertise.  Recent data suggests that by 2020, more than three-quarters of organizations will “experience visible business disruptions due to skills gaps.” Just two years ago, only 25 percent of businesses said the skills gap was an issue.

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Understanding Ethical Hacking

[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 6, 2018 4:30:37 PM / by Paul Ricketts posted in CEH, EC-Council, Ethical Hacking

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Not all hackers are cybercriminals. Increasingly, businesses around Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia employ ethical hackers (also known as white hat hackers) to break into their computer networks to expose vulnerabilities. Ethical hacking and penetration testing have become a mainstream career within the region, with companies employing a highly skilled cohort of programmers and computer experts.

Let’s explore the basics and increase your understanding of ethical hacking. We’ll lay out the differences between Black Hat and White Hat hackers, differentiating between cybercriminals and ethical hackers.

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Developer IT Training: Why It’s Always Worth The Effort

[fa icon="calendar'] Nov 29, 2018 10:37:19 AM / by Paul Ricketts posted in Jobs

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The cyber skills gap is widening: Recent data suggests a shortfall of more than 3 million IT experts in the next three years. What does this mean for your business? Looking for new staff to meet expanding tech requirements may not be possible — instead, companies are better served bolstering current employee experience with the right mixture of on-site training and classroom-led learning.

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