TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

Starting a career in IT isn't always straightforward, especially for people looking to transition careers. But, with the perpetual technical talent gap and the ever-increasing need for IT professionals, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in this field. In this article, we'll explore the benefits and challenges of starting a career in IT and provide some helpful tips for success.

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.

Cybersecurity skills are at a premium in the Washington DC region. IT professionals with the ability to assess the cyber threat landscape are in demand. CompTIA’s CySA+ Certification demonstrates you are ready to take on higher levels of responsibility in the industry. Still, before you commit to training, you want to know how hard is the CySA+ exam, and can I do it?

Learn more about CySA+ and what is expected in the exam.

It’s a question we hear a lot here at TrainACE – Can I get into IT without a degree?

In short, yes you can. An increasing percentage of successful IT professionals have built their careers on their experience, and by obtaining professional certifications, rather than taking a four-year degree. Professional IT certifications cover a wide range of topics in a focused way, and many can be obtained relatively quickly. Increasingly employers in Maryland are looking for people with specific skill sets and are relying on certifications to assess an individual’s skills and knowledge.

Let’s explore how you can get into IT without a degree.

CompTIA certifications are globally recognized and highly sought-after credentials, and Security+ is considered by many to be an essential cybersecurity certification. Information technology professionals who earn the CompTIA Security+ certification are in high demand worldwide by many large corporations and organizations. In Washington, D.C., where many businesses are headquartered, there is a huge need for cybersecurity professionals to fill the hundreds of available job roles.

Each year, there are more cybersecurity attacks than the year before. As a result, organizations are allocating more of their IT budgets to increase security, which leads to the need to hire more cybersecurity professionals to help protect their data and systems. In the metropolitan Washington, DC area, there are hundreds of open positions for cybersecurity experts and not enough qualified candidates to fill them. So, what are the benefits of security+ certification?  

Cybersecurity is a thriving field in the IT industry. It’s no wonder that so many people are interested in beginning a career in this specialized IT area. As threats and cyberattacks continue to increase, as well as the number of devices that are used today, businesses are looking for cybersecurity employees to help protect their digital assets and sensitive information from cyber criminals. They are seeking qualified and certified professionals to fill a deluge of open positions.

Candidates that have the CompTIA A+ entry-level certification typically have an easier time getting jobs than those who are not certified. This is true all over the country, not just in Maryland and the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Employers and IT recruiters often make it a point (sometimes a requirement) to seek out candidates who have the CompTIA A+ certification. This credential lets them know that you have the knowledge and skills they require for various IT positions. In the metro D.C area, there are various jobs that require candidates to have an A+ certification.

To become CompTIA A+ certified, there are two exams that you must take and pass. These exams are much like any other written test you may have taken in the past. The exams each contain different types of questions that are used to validate your knowledge in specific areas. It’s difficult to say how hard the exams are, because every test-taker has a different level of IT experience, knowledge, and skills. Further, individuals may have a different way of approaching exams and a different level of anxiety about test-taking.