CompTIA Security+ Certification

About CompTIA Security+ certification

CompTIA‘s Security+ certification certifies professionals in the field of information security, one of the fastest-growing fields in IT. CompTIA Security+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification that demonstrates competency in:

With the threat to data security becoming a rapidly growing issue, the need for trained information security personnel has increased multi-fold. Information Security is one of the fastest growing areas. Candidates who earn this certification will be able to prove their ability to anticipate information security risks and apply their knowledge of security concepts, and tools to safeguard organizational data, as well as know the procedures to react to security incidents, should they occur.

CompTIA’s Security+ certification is a globally recognized, vendor-neutral certification that proves competency in system security, network infrastructure, access control and organizational security. It is recommended that CompTIA Security+ candidates also have CompTIA Network+ certification and at least two years of technical networking experience, with an emphasis on security.

The exam is available in English, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Chinese. You need to pass SY0-301 exam to get CompTIA Security+ certified. For more information, see CompTIA’s Security+ certification page.

What’s New in CompTIA Security+ SY0-301

The new exam covers more of the approach on security risk control and mitigation. It has now included things like security policies, procedures, and training required to comply with latest technologies.

Domain Comparison

• The domain “Network Infrastructure” has now changed into “Network Security” with additional topics like latest networking devices, network protocols, ports, network application principles. The domain also emphasize on security related to wireless technologies. In the previous version of the Security , SY0-201, networking topics were listed in the domain “Network Infrastructure”.
• The domain “Compliance and Operational Security” mainly focuses on risk related concepts, incident response procedures, business continuity, and disaster recovery. Candidates should be able to carry out appropriate risk mitigation strategies and disaster recovery procedures. In the previous version, CompTIA had included topics like redundancy planning, disaster recovery procedures, and incident response procedures in the domain 6.0 “Organizational Security”, but the latest version has merged compliance security to make the domain more effective.
• CompTIA has also divided the objectives of the domain “System Security” of the previous version, and merged them in the new objectives of the latest version.
• The area concerning security threats has now moved to a new domain “Threats and Vulnerabilities” whereas the part related to application security has been now included in the domain “Application, Data, and Host Security”.
• The domain “Access Control and Identity management” is very similar to its previous version’s domain “Access Control”. The weighting of the domain has decreased from 17% to 13%. CompTIA has grouped previous version’s nine small objectives into three complex-looking objectives.
• The objective of the domain “Cryptography” has also been regrouped into four new objectives covering general cryptography concepts, cryptographic tools and products, and core concepts of public key infrastructure. The weighting of the domain “Cryptography” has also decreased from 15% to 11%.

Job Roles for CompTIA Security+ Certified Professionals

Earning a CompTIA Security+ certification after you pass the SY0-301 exam opens up multiple career options for the entry level IT professional. The job roles for those Security+ certified professionals typically include: Security Architect, Security Engineer, Security Consultant/Specialist, Systems Administrator, and Network Administrator.

Preparing for the CompTIA Security+ certification

There is no quick mantra for success. Several studies have shown that the best way to learn is to take a test! Practice tests that is. Taking practice tests before a subsequent exam appear to be the most popular method of learning, even more favored that other popular methods such as repetition and concept mapping.

A high quality test preparation software such as uCertify Prepkits will help you learn the SY0-301 exam material and pass the certification exam in your first attempt.

Prepare and Pass the CompTIA Security+ certification the uCertify way!

Passing exam(s) required towards getting your CompTIA Security+ certification is easy, using uCertify’s top rated test Prep-kits.
Here’s how:

• Full coverage of exam objectives (updated 2011) including General Security Concepts, Communication Security, Infrastructure Security, Basics of Cryptography, and Operational / Organizational Security.
• The course is accompanied by a comprehensive reference material in the form of an e-book that guides you through exam objectives. In addition, the book helps reinforce key concepts and terminology, both of which are important to review just before your exam.
• Practice questions that follow the exam pattern
• Comprehensive practice questions modeled on real world scenarios
• Detailed answer explanations for both correct and incorrect answer options
• Chapter by chapter study guide and study notes for exam SY0-301 not only helps you pass the exam, you actually learn the stuff you are supposed to know!
• Interactive Quizzes

Benefits of the CompTIA Security+ certification

IT certification is an industry wide, internationally standardized, highly recognized method that demonstrates your technical problem skills and expertise in a given area. By passing a certification exam, an individual shows to his current or potential employer that she/he recognizes the value of staying current with the latest technology. The certification process helps you gain market relevant skills culminating in an industry respected certificate in one or more areas offered for certification.

While not all employers require certification, getting certified is tangible proof of your motivation and skills as an IT professional. Surveys consistently show certified professionals to earn more than their counterparts who do not have a formal certification. Most certified professional have found that their financial investment in training and certification is paid off by gains in salary, job opportunities, or expanded roles, typically over a short period of time.

There are numerous opportunities for candidates with CompTIA Security+ certification and they are not specific only to IT industries. Professionals with CompTIA Security+ certification are employed in companies like Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Motorola, General Mills, Hitachi, Ricoh, Lockheed Martin, Telstra, the U.S Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines.