The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world’s leading Information Technology company providing its training and certificates for the IT practitioners. The vendor has four IT certification pathways designed to validate various knowledge standards – from the Entry to the Expert level. The CompTIA certificates comply with IT infrastructure and cybersecurity career paths. The core certifications such as A+ serve as a basement for the specialized options, whereas the additional professional certificates equip the candidates with the essential IT skills, for example, in project management.

Core

This certification category lays the foundation for a successful IT career regardless of which path a candidate is going to pursue. It validates the applicants’ baseline knowledge of the topics, such as hardware, operating systems, networking, and more.

• ITF+

  CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) is an entry-level certification that covers a range of IT topics and provides the early-career professionals with a solid foundation in the technology concepts as well as practices that the enterprises use today. It also suits the individuals who are considering pursuing the professional-level certifications of this vendor. To get certified, the students are required to clear one test known under the codename FC0-U61.

• A+

  The CompTIA A+ certification validates one’s foundational IT skills across a wide range of devices and operating systems. To obtain this certificate, the applicants need to take two exams. The first test, CompTIA 220-1001, focuses on networking technology, mobile devices, hardware, Cloud computing, virtualization, and network troubleshooting. The second exam, CompTIA 220-1002, revolves around such topics as installation and configuration of operating systems, software troubleshooting, expanded security, and operational procedures.

• Network+

  The CompTIA Network+ certification validates the crucial skills of the specialists required to perform design, configuration, management, and troubleshooting of any wired & wireless devices. The associated exam for this certificate is referred to as N10-007.

• Security+

  The CompTIA Security+ certification measures the knowledge and skills of the individuals needed to evaluate the security posture of an organizational environment as well as propose & implement the relevant security solutions; monitor & secure hybrid environments, including mobile, IoT, and Cloud; implement knowledge of applicable laws & policies, including principles of risk, governance, and compliance; determine, analyze, and react to security incidents & events. To earn this certificate, the learners need to complete the SY0-601 test.

Infrastructure

This certification pathway is designed to validate the expertise of the candidates in data center and network operations. The options within this category measure the skills the individuals needed for performing the IT infrastructure job roles.

• Cloud+

  The CompTIA Cloud+ certification validates the skills and knowledge of the professionals required for secure implementation, maintenance, and utilization of Cloud technologies. The qualifying exam for this certificate is CV0-002.

• Linux+

  The CompTIA Linux+ certification is intended for the IT specialists who are seeking to validate their competencies required of an entry-level system administrator supporting Linux systems. It covers common tasks in the main Linux distributions, comprising the Linux command line, fundamental maintenance, installing & configuring workstations, as well as networking. The candidates need to ace the XK0-004 exam to earn this certificate.

• Server+

  The CompTIA Server+ certification demonstrates the learners’ technical knowledge and skills needed to perform a wide range of tasks on server platforms. The successful candidates will gain a thorough understanding of virtualization, security, storage, and troubleshooting concepts. To get this certificate, the applicants are required to clear the SK0-004 exam.

Cybersecurity

This certification category is developed to help the technical specialists gain the cybersecurity mastery, including the ability to identify security incidents and issues, as well as hands-on skills to proactively address them.

• CySA+

  The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification validates the students’ expertise in improving the general state of IT security. In particular, it measures their skills in capturing, monitoring, and addressing network traffic finding as well as knowledge of IT regulatory compliance, automation, and threat hunting. CS0-002 is a codename of the exam required for getting this certificate.

• PenTest+

  The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is designed for the intermediate-level cybersecurity specialists who are responsible for performing penetration testing and managing vulnerabilities within a network. To obtain this certificate, the candidates need to pass the PT0-001 exam. The new version of the PenTest+ test, PT0-002, will be released in October, 2021.

• CASP+

  The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) certification is intended for those technical professionals who are seeking to gain the advanced expertise in risk management, organizational security operations & architecture, integration of organizational security, as well as research & collaboration. The current test for this certificate is known under the codename CAS-003. The new version of the CASP+ exam, CAS-004, will be released in August, 2021.

Additional Professional

In addition to the specialized skills verified within the CompTIA career pathways, the IT practitioners need the professional expertise such as project management and training. The certifications within this category are designed to cover these comprehensive skillsets.

• CTT+

  The CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification is intended for the instructors who would like to validate their expertise in the training field. It demonstrates their ability to utilize the tools and techniques needed for the successful instruction in modern learning environments. The certificate requires passing two exams: CTT+ Essentials – TK0-201 as well as CTT+ Classroom Performance Based – TK0-202 or CTT+ Virtual Classroom Performance Based – TK0-203 that can be taken both in the classroom and virtually.

• Cloud Essentials+

  The CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ certification is designed for both the non-technical and IT professionals who want to get the essential business competency needed for making informed Cloud service decisions and recommendations. It equips the candidates with an understanding of how to manage costs, increase efficiency, and reduce security risks for the enterprises. To get certified, the individuals have to pass a single test known as CLO-002.

• Project+

  The CompTIA Project+ certification validates the proficiency of the applicants in initiating, managing, and completing a project or business initiative according to schedule and within the allocated budget. The qualifying exam for this certificate is PK0-004.

Preparation Options

The CompTIA website offers numerous preparation options to help the candidates prepare for their certification exams. The examples of the training tools that the applicants can explore are enumerated below:

• eLearning with CertMaster Learn

  CertMaster Learn is a comprehensive eLearning solution developed by CompTIA. This is an interactive and self-paced training tool that includes a customizable learning plan as well as performance-based questions.

• Interactive Labs with CertMaster Labs

  To provide the students with the essential hands-on skills, CompTIA has created CertMaster Labs. This enables the candidates to develop an in-depth understanding of the subject matter and improve the practical aspects of the exam objectives.

• Books, eBooks, and Study Guides

  In case you prefer a traditional learning style with the help of textbooks, you can choose the illustrated Official CompTIA Content books that contain the informative and accessible content covering all the exam objectives.

• Instructor-Led Training

  For the applicants who are new to the industry and need outside help from the seasoned experts, CompTIA offers the instructor-led training for both individuals and teams. The learners can choose the preferred format of training, including in-classroom instruction or live online training. There is also the option to take the relevant training among the CompTIA extensive network of Authorized Training Partners.

• Video Training with ITPro TV

  ITProTV offers an interactive, engaging talk-show style training that keeps the students interested and excited during their preparation process.

Career Paths

The CompTIA certifications are the industry standard for establishing an IT career. Holding one of these certificates improves your professional credibility and distinguishes you from your non-certified peers. The vendor provides the specialists with vast career opportunities in a variety of IT-related fields, including IT Support, Cybersecurity, IT Networking, Software & Web Development, Data Analytics, etc. Specifically, the candidates holding CompTIA A+ can take up the job roles, such as a Technical Support Specialist, a Field Service Technician, an IT Support Technician, etc. The CompTIA Network+ certification opens doors to the positions, such as a Network Field Technician, a Network Support Specialist, a Network Analyst, and a Technical Support. The CompTIA Cybersecurity options enable the successful applicants to pursue a career in one of the following titles: a Security Consultant, a Security Architect, a Security Engineer, a Security Specialist, a Security Administrator, and a Systems Administrator. If you hold CompTIA Cloud Essentials+, you may consider entering such jobs as a Business Analyst, a Business Process Owner, a Managed Service Provider Specialist, or a Sales/Marketing Specialist. The CompTIA Project+ certificate allows you to work as a Project Manager, a Business Analyst, or a Project Team Member, while CompTIA CTT+ prepares you for a career as a Training Consultant, a Training Developer/Instructor, an Academic Instructor Career Technical Training Instructor, and so on. The salary outlook for the CompTIA certifications depends on a specific position. However, in general, the certified individuals earn from $38,932 to $109,020 per year.

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