TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

You made the decision to jump feet first into a new IT career. You heard all about the high salaries, the career growth opportunities, and the cool code and hardware you'll get to work with. But after that initial excitement, you sat down to plan out your job search strategy and you drew a blank. Where on earth do you start?

CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification training was top of the agenda for many attendees of our Career-Changer Open House earlier this week. On hand to talk in more depth about our classes were TrainACE Instructors Rita Whitfield, Rico Cody and John Oyeleke. Held at our headquarters in Greenbelt, MD, attendees enjoyed pizza, cookies, and soda, whilst they learned more about our training classes from some of our most engaging instructors.

According to the 2018 Hacker Report less than 5% of today’s ethical hackers learned their skills in a classroom. While the majority of ethical hackers do have some form of computer qualification, few have formal certification in the discipline itself. So why would an ethical hacker need anything as ‘establishment’ as formal ethical hacking certification?

For years you have dedicated yourself to a traditional trade - electrical contractor, plumbing, HVAC installation, roofing - all honorable and highly skilled jobs, but for any number of reasons you find yourself looking to change careers. Bad boss, bad pay, bad work/life balance, you name it, everyone has a breaking point. Maybe a fresh start in Information Technology is just the change of careers you are looking for.

(**Updated in April, 2023)

It's becoming increasingly evident that the internet is playing an ever-growing role in our lives, from grocery purchases to healthcare advice. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this transition. At the same time, the volume and sophistication of cyber-attacks have also increased, with cybercriminals taking advantage of increased vulnerabilities due to most of us working from home on less-than-ideally-secured networks. So, as an IT professional, what can you do to positively impact an increasingly insecure world while improving your financial standing?

(**updated in March 2022)

Information technology professionals are in demand. It's one of the few industries where there are more jobs available than candidates to fill them. Working in IT is especially rewarding, with exciting roles and potentially lucrative salaries. With technology constantly evolving, IT roles suit candidates willing to learn and stay up to date with technological advances, proving their knowledge with appropriate certifications.

So, how do you get started in an IT career? In this article, we'll break down the five best entry-level IT jobs in Maryland, their certification requirements, and how much you can expect to make from them.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, Python has emerged as a critical tool for cybersecurity professionals. Its simplicity, versatility, and powerful library support make it an ideal language for addressing security threats swiftly and efficiently.

Updated Feb 2023.

Linux is a free, open-source operating system that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Used by many companies and organizations to power their networks and systems, Linux provides an excellent platform for secure computing, making it a great choice for those looking to improve their cybersecurity. This article, will discuss what Linux is, how it works, and how it can help with cybersecurity. We will also look at some of the security features that make Linux such a great choice for protecting your data from malicious actors.

While it is a good feeling simply to have achieved your Security+ Certification, the reality is clear that it is time to start your career and job search in the information technology (IT) field. With a boost to your self-esteem, knowing that you have a respected professional certification endorsed by such major companies as Microsoft, the U.S. Department of Defense and IBM, you can approach your job search with confidence and pride.

(** Updated in May, 2021)

Security+ is the must-have certification for people seeking to get into a cybersecurity career. While there are competing certifications available, CompTIA Security+ is more widely considered the base-line qualification for security-based roles throughout the IT industry.

So, what do you need to know before taking the Security+ exam?

(** Updated March, 2023)

EC-Council's CEH Certification has become the must-have accreditation if you want to become a certified ethical hacker. While you can jump right in and take the exam with limited experience, there are some necessary CEH prerequisites and some recommended ones. Here's a breakdown of what ethical hacking is and our recommended CEH prerequisites.

CASP+ has a new name. CompTIA’s advanced cybersecurity certification is now SecurityX, with the current exam version CAS-005 launched on December 17, 2024.

That name change is the first thing the old article needs to fix. People still search for CASP+, and many resumes still use the older name, but the certification to talk about in 2026 is CompTIA SecurityX.

The purpose has not changed much. SecurityX is still built for experienced cybersecurity professionals who want to prove they can design, implement, and defend enterprise security systems. It is more technical than a management credential, and it is not meant for beginners.