Whether you are transitioning to an IT career or you are already an entry-level IT professional, the CompTIA A+ certification is an essential piece to establishing your career. Once you feel confident that you have mastered the material, you will need to schedule your A+ certification exam. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about how much the CompTIA A+ exam cost and testing locations in Maryland and Virginia.
Security+ is a certification that can be acquired by people who want to get into a career in fields such as cyber security. There are a few different options such as working as freelance vendors in this industry or get a permanent job for a company who needs their computers and networks protected from hackers, viruses or any of the other things out there that can destroy an IT network. Once this certification is acquired, it will prove the individual has competency in the following skills:
The Security+ certificate provided by CompTia is something that major companies require for a wide variety of different vendors who work in the cyber security and tech sectors of their company. It doesn’t matter how much experience a worker has in these fields—if they don’t have this certificate they won’t be hired for a job in most cases. Therefore, if someone wants to work for the department of defense for any government or a United States defense contractor, they need to pass the test and obtain the CompTia Security+ certificate.
Security training is an important thing to know how to do in this day in age, as our computer networks are more vulnerable than ever to hackers and viruses, among many other technical threats. However, knowing how to properly secure a computer or a network of computers from these constant and ever-changing threats can be a very important and ultimately lucrative skill, which can be a real career for someone in the future. This is a skill that takes some time to learn and most large companies who are hiring people to set up and manage their security will require their security contractors or permanent employees to have a certificate proving they have been properly trained.
In October, CompTIA announced the release of new tests, the 800 series, that will replace the 700-series exams that had been the basis of CompTIA’s A+ certification, the certification that covers entry-level technicians. The 700 series will remain in use through August 31, 2013. Until then, candidates can choose either series as a testing option for the A+ designation.
CompTIA, Cisco, EC-Council and many other well-known IT certification organizations have placed certain requirements on recipients of their credentials. These requirements were mandated in order to validate the worth of carrying the respected certification. Once a person gains their certification, they immediately need to be aware of the renewal requirements to keep it current. The experts at TrainACE have compiled a list of popular certifications and their continuing education requirements in this easy to understand white paper. It is a must have for any IT professional looking to become and stay certified!
For those of you who gained the CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+ certification prior to December 31, 2010, time is running out to enroll in the CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) Program. Becoming certified prior to 2011 deems you “certified for life”. What this means is that you are not mandated to enroll in the CE program unless an employer requires you to do so. Even though there is no strict rule in place, the benefits and personal growth candidates will see when participating in the Continuing Education program is priceless. The deadline to enroll in the program is December 31, 2012.