What is CompTIA Security

What is CompTIA Security+?

Updated on August 2, 2024: This blog post has been updated to provide enhanced information and insights. We hope you find the new content valuable!

Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly big problem for organizations across most sectors and industries.  In fact, across the I.T. industry, the most sought-after jobs are those in cybersecurity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Information Security sector is expected to grow by 31% by 2029, which is much faster than the average.

And according to MIT’s Technology Review, around 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs will not be filled. For those looking to enter an industry in dire need of professionals and start a career in cybersecurity, the CompTIA Security+ is an ideal certification, to begin with.

CompTIA offers certifications for all of these segments and more. MyComputerCareer can guide you through them with ease. Reach out to us if you’re interested in getting CompTIA-certified and jump-starting your career.

The CompTIA Certification Program

CompTIA has a vendor-neutral certification program that’s among the best recognized in the I.T. industry. Since 1993, when CompTIA developed its first credential – the CompTIA A+ – the company issued more than two million certifications. The certifications are grouped based on the skill set. At the moment, the CompTIA certifications fall within four categories as follows:

  • Core Certifications – Designed by CompTIA to build foundational skills, the core certifications include the following:
    • IT Fundamentals+: it’s a pre-career certification focused on the I.T. foundation framework.
    • CompTIA A+: it focuses on user support and device connectivity.
    • CompTIA Network+: – it targets core system connections with endpoint devices.
    • CompTIA Security+: it focuses on entry-level cybersecurity skills.
  • Infrastructure Certifications – Are designed to complement the Network+ credential and include the following certifications:
    • CompTIA Server+: it targets issues related to server support and administration.
    • CompTIA Cloud+: It covers virtual system administration, deploying network storage resources, and hybrid cloud.
    • CompTIA Linux+: it’s focused on Linux operating system management and administration.
  • Cybersecurity Certifications – CompTIA offers three main cybersecurity credentials. These include the following:
    • CompTIA CySA+: it stands for Cyber Security Analyst and targets I.T. security behavioral analysts.
    • CASP+: this is the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner and focuses on professionals who want to design and implement various security solutions.
    • CompTIA PenTest+: it refers to Penetration testing and targets cybersecurity experts who wish to conduct regular vulnerability and penetration testing.
  • Additional Certifications – Several other credentials that don’t readily fit into any of the above-mentioned CompTIA categories include the CompTIA Project+, CompTIA CTT+, and the CompTIA Cloud Essentials.

What Is The CompTIA Security+ Certification?

The CompTIA Security+ certification is a global certification exam used to validate the base skills needed to perform core security functions and pursue a security career in information technology. The Security+ certification places a special emphasis on hands-on practical skills that ensure the security professional is prepared to solve problems on a broader variety of issues.

It’s the first security certification I.T. professionals should earn, establishing the core knowledge needed of any cybersecurity role to provide a launching pad for intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs. Cybersecurity professionals with this certificate will know how to address security incidents, not just a matter of identifying them.

The CompTIA Security+ is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates the baseline skills of those looking for a career in the I.T. security industry. By earning this certificate, people can verify their skills in the following areas based on the exam objectives:

  • Attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities – Detecting the various kinds of compromise and having the know-how in terms of vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.
  • Tools and Technologies – Deploying various network components and assessing and troubleshoot issues that support operational and information security technology.
  • Architecture and design – Knowing how to implement cloud computing, a secure network, systems design, and virtualization technology.
  • Identity and access management – Implementing access control, identity management, access services, and management control.
  • Cryptography and PKI – Installing and configuring settings for wireless security and implementing public key infrastructure (PKI).
  • Risk Management – Understanding risk management and data security best practices and their business impact.

There aren’t any prerequisites when it comes to taking the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. That said, CompTIA still recommends that people have at least a couple of years of experience working in I.T. administration with a security focus. Completing other core certifications such as the CompTIA A+ or Fundamental+ can also be helpful. Additionally, for those looking to further solidify their readiness, having the CompTIA Network+ certification is highly recommended. Specifically, two years of experience in IT administration with a distinct security focus or in roles such as security/systems administrator can provide a substantial advantage.

The Benefits of CompTIA Security+

This certificate is ideal for security professionals who are somewhat new in I.T. or have never taken another security certification before. It’s also useful if applicants are looking to switch to cybersecurity from a related field in the industry. It’s recommended that this certification be the first that will be earned as it provides baseline skills needed for any job in cybersecurity and can help achieve an intermediate-level cybersecurity position.

The CompTIA Security+ certification can help applicants land job roles in high demand and earn a good salary. Among these job roles, we can include a security engineer, systems administrator, security analyst, network administrator, security architect, consultant, or junior I.T. auditor. While having a certificate is not necessary to land a job in these positions, having a certificate can be a definite plus.

The Security+ certification is the foundational certification in the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway that includes seven different security certifications that can help cybersecurity professionals develop the necessary skills to advance their careers. Along with two different career pathways and core skill certifications, CompTIA also offers Project+ for specific professions such as business analyst, project manager, or project team member.

Additional benefits of CompTIA Security+ include:

  • High demand – Defense organizations and corporations are looking for this certification on the market to validate the baseline security skills and fulfill the DoD 8570 compliance.
  • Validation – The Security+ certificate validates the hands-on practical skills of every candidate, ensuring that security professionals are better prepared for problem-solving a wider variety of complex security-related issues. 
  • Supplementing other skills – Given the proliferation of cyber attacks, baseline cybersecurity skills are now applicable across more of today’s job roles than strictly cybersecurity. 

This certificate will ensure high performance on the job by covering the most core technical skills in risk management and assessment, forensics, incident response, cloud operations, enterprise networks, and security controls.

A candidate will not be required to renew it for the following three years by completing the certification training.

CompTIA offers a Continuing Education Program, which can help candidates renew their certs through gathering CEUs – Continuing Education Units – by performing specific IT-related activities.

Comparing CompTIA Security+ with Other Cybersecurity Certifications

When examining how CompTIA Security+ stacks up against other prevalent cybersecurity certifications, it’s essential to consider various key aspects such as vendor neutrality, the experience level targeted, the exam focus, and the available training resources. Here’s a comprehensive comparison:

Vendor Neutrality

CompTIA Security+ is admired for its vendor-neutral stance, similar to its counterparts the (ISC)2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity. This feature enables professionals to apply their knowledge across different technologies and systems.

Targeted Experience Level

The CompTia Security+ is designed primarily for professionals in the early stages of their cybersecurity careers, which aligns closely with the target audience of the SSCP and GSEC certifications. On the other hand, the EC-Council CEH targets those interested in the specific area of penetration testing and ethical hacking. The ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity is tailored more towards individuals at the entry level of cybersecurity.

Exam Focus

The core focus of the CompTia Security+ certification is on baseline cybersecurity skills and foundational cybersecurity knowledge, making it a solid starting point for cybersecurity professionals. This contrasts with:

  • (ISC)2 SSCP and GIAC GSEC, which are geared toward roles specifically in security administration.
  • EC-Council CEH, which delves deeper into penetration testing and ethical hacking.
  • ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, which focuses primarily on rudimentary cybersecurity terms and concepts.

MyComputerCareer offers certification programs that include CompTIA exams as well. Reach out to us if you’re interested in getting CompTIA-certified and advancing your I.T. career. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have on this topic!

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