As with all other technology disciplines, cyber-security is becoming more generally acknowledged and recognized as a need in the modern world. On the other hand, every region has its method of putting the participants to the test. The CompTIA Security+ certification is the most popular and competitively simpler competent certification for those looking to break into the cyber-security sector.
The CompTIA security+ certification is the most sought-after credential for network security specialists. A good education is essential for getting better employment and greater wages. Because employers generally acknowledge it, we may conclude that CompTIA security+ is a worthwhile investment.
Whether you are seeking a career in information technology security at a big business or establishing your cybersecurity firm, CompTIA is committed to assisting certification holders in achieving their objectives. This blog will look at the history of the security+ test, what topics are covered in the exam, and whether or not the CompTIA security+ certification is worth the money.
Is the CompTIA Security+ certification worth it?
In the field of information technology certifications, there is no shortage of alternatives. As a result, certification applicants must decide which pathways are worthwhile in both time and money commitment. CompTIA’s Security+ certification is a recognized credential for validating fundamental abilities when it comes to information security.
The CompTIA Security+ certification is a prominent cybersecurity credential. More than 600,000 information technology professionals have earned it.
As a vendor-neutral certification, it has been authorized by the Department of Defense and is also recognized by many major corporations as a vendor-neutral certification. If you want to further your IT career in any of these areas, the CompTIA Security+ certification is a good investment.
According to industry analysts, there is a high need for security specialists, and that demand is only expected to rise in the future. Being a supplier of abilities in such a market may be extremely profitable. In this section, we’ll go through the advantages of Security+ to assist you in making an educated selection.
What exactly is the CompTIA security+ certification?
CompTIA Security+ certification is a vendor-neutral information technology security certification that helps you build your skills and knowledge in computer and network security areas such as cybersecurity, network security, and information technology risk management, among others.
The Security+ credential is a Beginner-level cybersecurity credential that covers subjects such as how to detect risks in a connected environment, how to utilize tools, technologies, and strategies to defend hardware and software assets against attackers and hostile organizations on the internet, and how to secure software and hardware assets against viruses and other malicious software.
Companies worldwide, including household brands such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, favor employees who have earned the CompTIA Security+ certification. It is obvious from a cursory examination of the hundreds of cybersecurity job ads available.
Is CompTIA Security+ a good choice for newcomers?
In a nutshell, yes, CompTIA Security+ is intended for those new to the subject of cybersecurity and who wish to pursue a career in the industry.
The Security+ certification is described by CompTIA as follows: Obtaining one’s first security certification should be the initial step in the process. It establishes the fundamental knowledge necessary for any cybersecurity function and is a stepping stone to advanced cybersecurity positions.
Candidates must have the capacity to demonstrate the following specific big-picture competencies to be certified:
- Evaluate the overall security of an enterprise network and provide recommendations for and deploy suitable security solutions, if needed.
- Monitor and protect hybrid settings, including cloud, mobile, and Internet of Things (IoT).
- Maintain an understanding of applicable laws and rules and governance, risk, and compliance concepts to do business.
- Identify security events and incidents, evaluate them, and respond appropriately.
CompTIA Security+ Exam Requirements:
Unlike other certificates, like the CISSP, which need a lot of years of professional job experience, the only official prerequisite for Security+ is that you pass the test.
The test should not be taken lightly: CompTIA advises that candidates have at least 2 years of relevant work experience before taking the test.
In addition, even if you have that experience, you are likely to be more knowledgeable in some sections of the test than you are in others. As a result, even though there are no official requirements for taking the test, you should prepare and study before sitting for it.
CompTIA Security+ Exam Format:
According to CompTIA, taking the Security+ test will take you no more than 90 minutes, and you will be completing all of your questions on a computer.
You will be asked three sorts of questions on the test: multiple-choice questions, in which you should select the most appropriate response from a list of options; drag-and-drop queries, in which you must drag tags onto the appropriate elements on a figure; and performance-based queries, in which you should solve problems in a virtual environment.
The test can be completed in a maximum of Ninety minutes if you adhere to the time constraints. Ensure you arrive at the test facility at least 30 minutes before your planned appointment time because you’ll need to sign in after you’ve arrived.
According to CompTIA, most of the multiple-choice questions that should require less time to answer than other questions will be located after the test.
CompTIA Security+ certification objectives:
If you’re unfamiliar with CompTIA terminology, objectives are tasks or information that someone attempting to obtain certification should be able to execute. In other words, objectives are tasks that somebody who is obtaining certification should be able to achieve.
Objectives for the CompTIA Security+ certification include items like “Comparison and contrast various kinds of social engineering approaches” and “Given a situation, deploy host or app security solutions,” among other topics. Exam questions are designed to require you to demonstrate your ability to fulfill one or more of these objectives.
CompTIA divides certification goals into topic groups called domains, which are then subdivided further. These are the domains that will be covered in the CompTIA Security+ 601 test.
- Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
- Architecture and Design
- Implementation
- Operations and Incident Response
- Governance, Risk, and Compliance
Those interested in the Security+ 601 test may get a full list of all the objectives and related domains on the CompTIA website, which is open to the public. This article offers a collection of examples of items that could be considered to achieve each goal.
It cites malware, password assaults, attacks, competitive AI, supply-chain threats, cloud-based vs. on-premises attacks as examples of material for the question “Given a scenario, assesses probable indications to establish the kind of attack.”
Still, it also states that “these content examples are designed to illustrate the test goals and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive description of all the content of this examination.”
How Much Is Preparation Necessary for the CompTIA Security+ Exam?
To pass the Security+ test, you will need to put in around 60 hours of focused study time. The level of work and study time required will vary from person to person, based on your prior experience and knowledge. Still, as a general guideline, you should plan on putting in approximately 60 hours of committed study time before you take the Security+ exam.
Is it necessary to have previous experience to pass the Security+ exam?
While we’ve previously established above that you are free to take the Security+ exam whenever you choose, including without any previous employment experience, we should stress that this does not necessarily indicate that you should.
Without prior technological job experience, it is possible to pass the CompTIA Security+ test. However, you must have good computer networking knowledge, which includes a grasp of the network layer of OSI model, protocols, port numbers, and networking hardware component functions such as switches, routers, and firewalls (particularly firewalls).
In other words, you should be quite knowledgeable about the majority of the CompTIA Network+ subject before sitting for the Security+ exam. However, this does not imply that you must get such expertise in a work context or that you must first obtain the Network+ certification.
It simply implies that you should be proficient in those areas, even though self-study, before moving on to the network security topics covered by the Security+ certification exam.
The Benefits of CompTIA Security+:
The following are some of the advantages of having or taking the CompTIA Security+ Exam:
- It is not necessary to have prior experience.
Today, most cyber-security jobs demand a few years of relevant experience in addition to a recognized degree in the subject. It takes around 4-5 years to earn a bachelor’s degree and have some work experience.
If you have no prior experience, you do not need to be concerned about taking the CompTIA Security+ exam because you may pass the exam without any prior knowledge.
If you wish, you can take the test the following day. Although adequate preparations are necessary to pass the test, the method by which a person will go about preparing for the exam varies from individual to individual.
- Approved by the United States Department of Defense.
This authority maintains a close watch on all organizations that operate in the cyber-security area, both internally and externally, and on everything that occurs both within and outside the organization. Every cyber-security sector that this body has authorized is of global significance and is highly appreciated by the public.
The CompTIA Security+ certification training program is endorsed by the DoD, recognizing the importance and legitimacy and supporting it.
- It is less expensive than other Certifications.
Many cyber-security schools spend hundreds of dollars on examinations, which is a significant investment. CompTIA Security+ certification training is perhaps the only cyber-security training program that charges a fee of $339 in addition to the cost of taking the test.
As previously stated, just one exam is required, resulting in a one-time commitment in terms of time and money. Furthermore, if someone cannot afford this sum or is presently enrolled as a student, this program provides special coupons or reductions that might reduce the price to $200.
- There is just one exam required.
Many certification training programs need students to complete two or more examinations before they are certified. CompTIA Security+, on the other hand, does not operate on the same premise; instead, just one test is required to provide one certification.
Many exams and examinations have a purpose, but only when there is a significant shift in job prospects or pay expectations. However, certain programs don’t make a significant difference in any of these areas. As a result, it is quite handy to go through one examination, preferably two or three.
By taking only one exam, you will receive the same level of authenticity and competence. Furthermore, this CompTIA Security+ certification course can enhance the appearance of your CV.
- Great Studying Material
In terms of training, CompTIA Security+ certification training covers everything a person could want, from online classes to hand-written tests. Not only that, but CompTIA Security+ has also provided courses during the academic year so that students may be prepared to sit for the test immediately following graduation, as well.
More importantly, the study resources utilized to prepare for this test are less expensive than other study materials accessible on the market. However, students who can browse through a page and note down the most important information to study later on will find that CompTIA Security plus online training is the most beneficial.
Average Salary of CompTIA Security+:
An expert with CompTIA Security+ certification earns an average income that varies depending on the classification; the average pay range for experts with CompTIA Security+ certification in the US is $77,000.
Final Words
All of the key topics that you need to know to work in cybersecurity are covered in Security+. If you have a fundamental grasp of information technology security and wish to broaden your knowledge and employment prospects, the Security+ certification is an excellent choice.
The Security+ certification will be well worth your time, effort, and money if you are searching for an IT profession that pays well, offers a large number of employment possibilities, and provides you with the opportunity to move up the IT career ladder.
