TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

Instructor-led training is just one of the ways that today’s trainees learn. However, it remains beneficial for a variety of reasons. The personalized, hands-on learning students receive from a live instructor is irreplaceable. An interactive classroom, whether in-person or virtual, is important for those learning technical skills that may be complex, like many IT and cybersecurity topics are.

Cybersecurity is a vital concern for businesses today. While in the past, most companies only needed a physical security team, in the current technology-driven world, they now need much more. Today, an inadequate cybersecurity team could quickly put an organization’s assets at risk without the criminals even having to set foot on the business’s premises. Effective cybersecurity teams have the potential to protect business assets and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals. 

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification has set the standard for security certifications since its launch in 1994. However, adding those letters to resumes is no easy task for cybersecurity professionals. The certification exam for the CISSP is typically described by those who have taken it as difficult. The certification requires five years of full-time paid work experience in a relevant security field.

[This post was updated in June 2025 to reflect the latest CISSP exam changes and cybersecurity career trends.]

The CompTIA Security+ certification proves that you have the foundational knowledge for beginning cybersecurity roles. It’s a certification that serves as a stepping stone toward more advanced credentials and cybersecurity positions. Security+ provides the skills needed for jobs like systems administrators, security administrators, network administrators, and junior IT auditors.

Are you thinking about starting a career in information technology? Or are you already working in IT and ready to start earning some professional certifications? If so, the CompTIA A+ certification should definitely be on your radar.

Employment growth in the computer and information technology industry is expected to increase by 13% during the 2020s. It’s predicted that almost 700,000 new jobs will be added, making the demand for technology professionals even higher than it is currently. That demand, which is greater for technology jobs than any other occupations, stems from the need for cloud computing, collecting and storing big data, and cybersecurity professionals.

Information technology (IT) certifications come with certain benefits. Not only are they a valuable way to increase skills, but for many IT professionals, they provide an advantage in the job market. Recruiters, HR managers, and other hiring personnel often look at professional credentials on resumes first when filling IT positions. And it’s not just in hiring that having certifications will give you an edge. It’s also in earning potential. Certified employees typically earn higher salaries than their uncertified counterparts. In the IT world, that means a lot because some of the highest paying jobs are in this industry.

So, you've gained IT experience and your foundational certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+, and you're trying to decide your next step in advancing your IT career. For most people following a cybersecurity career path CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification is the next logical step.

But what is CySA+ and why should you take it?

When it comes to building a long-lasting and successful career, there are few industries that offer the exciting opportunities and financial rewards available in Information Technology (IT). But as with all good things, those rewards take time and experience to attain. To succeed in the IT world, you need experience and certifications.

While you can build a technology career without certifications, you will find it much slower and much harder. So, why are certifications so important, and where do you start? In this article, we’ll dive into CompTIA’s A+ certification and how it can help you create a strong foundation from which to build a successful IT career.

As one of TrainACE’s top instructors, Azure administration is just one of John Eberle’s specializations. With years of industry experience, he has tracked the evolution of Microsoft's administrative tools with the eye of an expert practitioner -  from early Windows versions to the latest cloud technologies. In his latest blog he discusses Azure Administration certification prerequisites and offers advice on preparing for the exam.