Robbie has been teaching IT since 2010, but his journey started in 1985 when he got out of the army and used his GI Bill to attend Texas A&M. After a decade as a roadie traveling the planet, he ended up in Australia working as a regional system administrator responsible for 60 schools. Now he’s the lead instructor in MyComputerCareer’s Cyber Warrior program, and he joined us on Get Into IT Live to break down the four certifications that form the foundation of IT careers.
If you’re exploring computer career training or wondering what IT certifications actually matter, this conversation answers those questions.
Why These Four Certifications Matter
The Cyber Warrior program builds around four CompTIA certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, and CYSA+. Robbie explained it simply: “It’s like the core subjects in school. Reading, writing, and arithmetic. We start with operating systems and hardware. We go through networking. The whole time we’re putting in security. We throw in the cloud. Then we end with advanced security.”
These certifications expose students to different fields within IT. “I promise you that everybody’s good at something,” Robbie said. “It helps students figure out what they really want to do and what to pursue. It also makes them well-rounded to be hired.”
For anyone comparing IT training programs or looking at computer classes near me, understanding what these certifications cover helps you evaluate whether a program actually prepares you for employment.
A+: The Foundation Everything Builds On
A+ is where everyone starts, and it covers more ground than most people expect. “We do the operating systems. Obviously Windows, but we talk about Macintosh. We learn about Linux, which is a big server thing. We talk about Android and Chrome,” Robbie explained. “Then we talk about hardware, not just computer hardware, but routers, switches, the networking stuff as well.”
He called it “a mad dash” through fundamental concepts. The material can feel overwhelming at first. “In the beginning it’s really overwhelming,” he admitted. “But eventually everybody seems to catch on, as long as you stick with it.”
Hospitals in Orlando actively look for A+ certification when hiring because they want well-rounded technicians. The certification proves you understand how systems work at a basic level, which matters in healthcare IT environments where reliability is critical.
Robbie made an interesting point about A+ being foundational but permanent: “Everybody should build their own computer anyway. And we’ll show you how.” That hands-on understanding stays with you throughout your entire IT career, no matter how far you advance.
Network+: Where Doubts Start Creeping In
Network+ is where many students hit their first wall. “Networking can be a lot all at once,” Robbie said. “There’s even a little bit of math. It’s just addition and subtraction, nothing too hard.”
The math question comes up constantly on social media. People worry about complex calculations. The reality? It’s basic arithmetic applied to subnetting, and Robbie has simplified it so much that “people that have been doing it for 30, 40 years are just like, ‘I can’t believe it’s that easy.'”
To keep students engaged during Network+, MyComputerCareer uses hands-on labs with Packet Tracer, a network simulation program. “We do labs in class to try to build up their confidence,” Robbie explained. “That’s when a lot of people really start to doubt themselves.”
The tutoring setup is straightforward. Robbie’s night class opens the Zoom room at 2 PM every day. No appointment necessary. When students show up, instructors take them into breakout rooms to work through subnetting, router programming, or whatever they’re struggling with. There are also mastery classes on Saturdays and Wednesdays for students who need extra help.
Here’s something that surprised us: many students don’t pass Network+ on their first try during the program. But by the time they finish Security+ and CYSA+, a high percentage go back and pass Network+ easily. “By the time you’re through it all, it just gets a little easier with every class,” Robbie said. “It really starts to click.”
Security+: The Most Recognized Certification
Security+ is probably the most recognized of the four certifications, and there’s a specific reason why. In 2016, a law went into effect requiring Security+ certification to work on any DoD classified or military computer. “All I did was teach Security+ for like two years,” Robbie said. “Being here in Florida, we have Lockheed Martin, Northrop, Raytheon, NASA, Boeing. I could just go on forever.”
For employers, Security+ means you’re already cleared to work on their systems. If you’re a veteran with a security clearance looking at computer careers, having Security+ gives you a massive advantage. “You’ve already got that feather in your cap because by law you’ve got to have it,” Robbie explained.
The certification legitimized CompTIA as a whole. Before the DoD requirement, there were questions about whether CompTIA certifications carried weight. Security+ proved they do.
What does Security+ actually cover? “When you’re in it, it’s not going to seem like it’s basic,” Robbie warned. But it was his first security class, and it laid the groundwork for everything that came after. The certification explains how encryption works, covers different ciphers, teaches proper approaches to multifactor authentication, and addresses social engineering threats.
“When it comes to companies being hacked nowadays, social engineering is probably the easiest way to get in,” Robbie noted. He also teaches the PenTest+ class, and the consistent message is that social engineering remains the quickest path inside an organization.
CYSA+: Advanced and Hands-On
CYSA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst) is the most advanced certification in the program and the one most people know least about going in. “It’s more of a hands-on approach,” Robbie explained. “In Security+ it’s a lot of theory. In CYSA+ we actually start scanning. We start using Nmap, which is a port scanning tool that’s very popular in the industry. We have Wireshark. You actually start getting tested on this stuff.”
The certification operates under the assumption that you’ve already been hacked and it’s your job to find the breach. “In the past, we were always reactive. Something would happen and we would react. Nowadays, we’re proactive. You just have to assume that we’ve been hacked. It’s my job to go find it.”
They call it threat hunting. Students learn to look for IOCs (indicators of compromise) and TTPs (tactics, techniques, and procedures). “We do start to hack,” Robbie said. “I’m going to show my students how to do a man-in-the-middle attack or an on-path attack with ARP poisoning.”
There’s a fine line between white hat hackers and black hat hackers. The good guys and the bad guys. “If you’re going to catch the bad guy, you need to be right there with them,” Robbie explained.
The CYSA+ exam is difficult. Students get an extra 45 minutes compared to other CompTIA exams, and it hits them with simulation after simulation. “It’s not phony stuff. It’s real-world scenarios,” Robbie said. “In the real world, nobody sits back and says, ‘Oh, relax. It’s okay.’ The certification prepares you because it’s pretty nasty out there at the moment.”
His firewall gets scanned every five to six seconds now. Five years ago it was every 36 seconds. The threat landscape has intensified dramatically.
Why the Order Matters
These four certifications build on each other deliberately. “On A+, we’re going to talk about a virus and we keep it pretty simple,” Robbie explained. “We talk about two different types of viruses. Network+ we do the same thing. Then you get into Security+ and we talk about eight to ten different types of viruses. It just gets more and more advanced.”
It’s the old expression: you have to learn to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. By the time students reach CYSA+ and look back at Network+, they wonder how they ever struggled with it.
The progression also builds confidence. By Security+, the third class, students are going over material for the third time and starting to polish their skills. “You can see the students are answering the questions. They’re building their confidence. They start to trust the system and themselves,” Robbie said.
The Testing Reality
Testing anxiety is real, and Robbie addressed it directly. “I think people are afraid of taking exams anyway. Like if I fail, something bad’s going to happen. That’s simply not the case.”
He shared something every student needs to hear: “Every instructor at the school has failed an exam before. Every single one.” His first Cisco exam, his hand was shaking so badly he could barely hold the mouse. He still gets nervous taking important exams.
The worst case? You fail and have to take it again. “You have to fail before you can succeed,” Robbie said. “I’m not a genius. I’m just somebody that’s put in the time. Everybody that passes these certifications, they’ve put in the time.”
The biggest mistake people make preparing for exams? Not studying enough. “You got to study. You got to put in some time on the weekend,” Robbie emphasized. “The worst thing you can do is nothing on the weekend.”
What Happens After Certification
A common question from students: they’ve passed all four certifications but still don’t feel like they know what they’re doing. They’re afraid to apply for jobs because they don’t feel worthy.
“Trust me, nobody knows what they’re doing,” Robbie said. “These certificates prove to employers that you can be trained. Nobody’s going to throw you on the help desk line and say, ‘All right, go fix this firewall for Lockheed Martin and hurry up.’ They’re going to train you. It’s to their advantage to bring you up.”
The advantage of real jobs versus IT school? You focus on one specific area instead of everything. “In school, we talk about everything. In the real world, you get your job and you focus on that section. You learn quick.”
Most entry-level IT jobs start as temporary positions. Four to six months where you get the opportunity to prove yourself. “That’s your chance. Jump in there and prove to them that you can learn. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Can You Actually Do This
Someone watching might be interested but nervous, wondering if they’re cut out for IT. Robbie’s message is direct: “You could do anything. How bad do you want to do it? Do you love technology? Do you like playing on that phone, playing on that computer? Are you the one that helps your relatives or your friends?”
He’s seen anybody and everybody do this. Age doesn’t matter. Previous career doesn’t matter. Whether you think you’re smart doesn’t matter. “You’re looking at an old dog right here. I learn every day.”
A recent webinar at MyComputerCareer featured three Cyber Warrior program graduates. Each one had failed at some point during the program. The difference? They didn’t give up. They kept working through it, and now they’re successful.
Robbie pointed out something important: many students haven’t been to school in 10, 15, or 20 years. Part of the tutoring process involves teaching people how to study again. Put the cell phone away. Turn off Facebook. Focus.
The program delivers four certifications in three to six months depending on your schedule. MyComputerCareer offers both full-time daytime programs (three months) and evening classes that work around your schedule.
The Bottom Line
These four IT certifications provide a foundation that translates directly to employment. They’re not theoretical credentials that look good on paper but don’t connect to real jobs. Employers actively seek these certifications, particularly in markets with defense contractors, healthcare systems, and technology companies.
For anyone comparing IT schools or trade schools near me, the questions to ask are simple: Does the program teach these industry-standard certifications? Are instructors available for tutoring and support? Does the school offer mastery classes and extra help? And most importantly, does the timeline work for your life?
Explore MyComputerCareer’s IT training programs and see how certification-focused education compares to traditional options.