If you’re looking for a cybersecurity certification that will validate your skills and knowledge, CompTIA Security+ is a great option. CompTIA Security+ is vendor-neutral, meaning that it covers a range of topics related to cybersecurity.
This certification is also globally recognized, making it an excellent choice for those who are looking to build their career in cyber security. In this blog post, we’ll discuss what CompTIA Security+ is and why you should consider getting certified!
What is CompTIA Security+ Certification?
CompTIA Security+ is a computer network certification that provides expertise in computer networking concepts at both theoretical and practical levels.
CompTIA Security+ certification is trusted by major companies the United States Government. All Information Technology positions in the Federal Government (2210) require Security+. Because it covers both risk assessment and management, incident response, forensics, enterprise networks, hybrid/cloud operations, and security controls
The SY0-601 exam covers concepts related to Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities; Architecture and Design, Architecture and Design, Operations and Incident Response, Governance, Risk and Compliance
Security+ certification starting point for cyber security engineers and security administrators jobs. The demand for cyber security experts and security administrators is expected to rise dramatically in the next several years. According to Robert Half’s 2022 IT compensation study, computer security engineers and security managers are among the top 10 most in-demand professions in 2022.
Is the Security+ Certification for You?
Security+ is one of the most popular networking certifications in the world because it gives you a very strong grasp of Cyber Security concepts and creates a foundation to help you understand more advanced concepts.
The certification is relatively cheap. You will need to fully understand the concepts in this course, before taking the exam. Some people pick it up fast others just need more time.
What Jobs can you get with a Network+ Certification?
Jobs in the area of computer networking are expected to rise significantly through 2028 and beyond, according to the US department of labor.
These jobs include:
- Systems administrator.
- Security administrator.
- Security specialist.
- Security engineer.
- Network administrator.
- Junior IT auditor/penetration tester.
- Security consultant.
If you’re looking to start or further your career in Cyber Security, CompTIA Security+ is an excellent certification to consider. The skills and knowledge that you will learn from this certification will help you protect your organization’s networks and data.
However, you should not expect to get these jobs just by having the Security+ certification alone.
Many companies are looking for advanced certifications like CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification, or the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+).
You should also have some practical experience of working in the industry if you are looking for intermediate or advanced level jobs.
This certification is a DoD Approved 8570 Baseline Certification and meets DoD 8140/8570 training requirements.
The Security+ is recognized by the US Department of Defense as an approved 8570 IAT Level 1 baseline certification. IT and cybersecurity professionals will find that most, but not quite all, CompTIA certifications are recognized by the Department of Defense.
Exam Details
How to Prepare for the CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam
There are numerous paths you can pursue to prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification.
Download the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601) Exam Objectives for a more complete curriculum.
Self-Study Resources
Self-study materials are the first alternative. Books, study guides, and videos are all examples of self-study materials. They are made according to the Security+ exam’s curriculum objectives and will assist you in covering the entire syllabus.
Let’s look at all of these resources and see their pros and cons.
Books
If you want to learn from written text and images, there are several books available for CompTIA Security+ exam preparation. They also look good on your shelf. Some of these are:
CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide by Darril Gibson
CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Fifth Edition (Exam SY0-501) by Wm Arthur Conklin and Greg White
CompTIA Security+ Study Guide: Exam SY0-601 8th Edition by Mike Chapple
If you don’t have a lot of time and don’t want to read a lot of text, videos are would be a better alternative.
Video Training
YouTube! Yes YT is a great source for finding information whole classes are on the platform. Are you not quite understanding the Ports and protocols?
There are drawbacks to YouTube without everything being presented in a neat, synchronized way.
Pluralsight
The entire library of core and expanded courses, exams, projects, and interactive courses.
Core library – Cost $299 yr
Their core library features 2,500+ of their most popular courses on in-demand topics like cloud, data, security, software development, infrastructure, and more.
Expanded library – Cost $449 yr
Their expanded library gives you access to their full 7,000+ course library. It includes more advanced topics if you need to build deep expertise and niche topics for those tackling special projects.
Instructor-Led and On-Demand Training (Boot Camps)
If you’re like me and the self-study approach isn’t enough, instructor-led training is an excellent “add-on”. The greatest benefit of this approach is that you may ask questions immediately to a professional and receive hands-on training while working your way through the exam preparation resources.
However, instructor-led training programs can be quite expensive. I have two thoughts on this. One, if you pass the exam you are mostly looking for a better-paying position. This will be a $500 – $4000 investment in you. How much more are you going to make?
CyberVista
CyberVista’s Security+ Training Course enables practitioners to participate, learn, and partner with other professionals as they prepare to earn the highly in-demand Security+ certification.
This course is available On-Demand for teams and individuals. Exam vouchers are also available for purchase during checkout.
Cost $999
Western Governors University
This is on the same level as self-study and instructor-led. You can get your degree by passing the certification test. Once you pass the assessment test online through the school they will give you a voucher to take the certification. Once you pass you turn in your passing grade and you pass the course.
This is by far one of the best ways to get into the IT Field.
Practice Tests
It’s tough to complete 90 questions in 90 minutes. Regardless of how well you’ve prepared, you should do practice questions for the Security+ certification before taking the real test.
Taking practice tests may show you how to answer complex security questions in a short amount of time.
Practice Labs
Computer security is a highly practical area in which concepts must be translated into real-world circumstances to deal with issues.
If you want to earn a high score on the exam, you’ll need to complete a lot of practice labs. Lab exercises will let you test networking ideas in a realistic setting. Using real-world live lab simulations will cement your understanding and ensure that you’re prepared for any scenario-based questions that may appear on the exam.
The major advantage of concentrating on practice labs is that you will learn a lot and have a better understanding of the materials being covered.
The Truth About Security+
The Security+ certification is a generic Cyber Security credential that isn’t linked to a specific vendor. Having this certificate will give you a basic, but effective understanding of networking concepts.
Security+ is a good place to start in the field of IT, but if you want to advance beyond the entry-level, it’s also recommended that you obtain intermediate and advanced-level certifications.
Having a Security+ certification from an organization like CompTIA will improve your chances of obtaining good employment in the industry, as organizations favor specialists who are qualified, certified, and capable of setting up, monitoring, and comprehending network security within their company.
So, is the CompTIA Security+ certification worth it?
If you’re a beginner or have your A+ and N+ certifications, but are seeking a security certification to help you progress in the IT sector, Security+ will be worth the time, effort, and money.
