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Is it Worthwhile to get the CompTIA Security+ Certification?

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What Skills are Learned in the CompTIA Security+ Course
Because the Security+ test is so comprehensive, many seek out preparation courses in advance. In any comprehensive Security+ Certification Prep Course, you will learn to:

  • Think broadly and widely to implement sound security protocols to address and reduce security risks
  • Quickly react to security issues as they arise, knowing what tools, technologies and skills are required to effectively thwart bad actors or actions
  • Triage past security breaches to identify potential remedies and to implement enhanced protections
  • Design, implement and manage a network, on-site or in the cloud, with security in mind

The above learnings, broken down more fully into a full course syllabus, typically run as follows:


Security Fundamentals

  • Security concepts
  • Risk management
  • Vulnerability assessment

Understanding attacks

  • Understanding attackers
  • Social engineering
  • Malware
  • Network attacks
  • Application attacks

Cryptography

  • Cryptography concepts
  • Public key infrastructure

Network fundamentals

  • Network components
  • Network addressing
  • Network ports and applications

Securing networks

  • Network security components
  • Transport encryption
  • Hardening networks
  • Monitoring and detection

Securing hosts and data

  • Securing hosts
  • Securing data
  • Mobile device security

Securing network services

  • Securing applications
  • Virtual and cloud systems

Authentication

  • Authentication factors
  • Authentication protocols

Access control

  • Access control principles
  • Account management

Organizational security

  • Security policies
  • User training
  • Physical security and safety

Disaster planning and recovery

  • Business continuity
  • Fault tolerance and recovery
  • Incident response

Get started with binge-worthy CompTIA Security+ online video training from ITProTV, CompTIA’s official video training partner.

What Passing CompTIA’s Security+ Means
Achieving Security+ certification brings with it a long list of “unwritten” expertise about which you can justifiably apply. This expertise includes the ability to:

  • Explain the security functions of common network devices and technologies across any architecture you encounter.
  • Apply and implement secure network administration principles and procedures in nearly all environments you face.
  • Implement and configure a wireless network in a safe and secure manner, including Internet-of-Things devices and networks.
  • Identify security threats and perform risk mitigation activities in expeditious fashion.
  • Understand applicable policies, laws and regulations of IT security, whether dictated locally or globally.
  • Explain the impacts and proper use of environmental controls.
  • Understand and apply cryptography and Public Key Infrastructure.
  • Explain the concepts of user authentication, authorization and access control, helping raise the importance of security among fellow employees.
  • Exemplify the concepts of data confidentiality, integrity and availability.
  • Identify and analyze common attacks, e.g., social engineering, malware, application & wireless attacks.

Already have CompTIA’s Security+ certification but need to re-certify? Check out ITProTV’s Accelerated Security+ course. Start free.

What Roles Await you After Passing the CompTIA Security+ Exam
The Security+ certification is an excellent entry point to an IT security career. CompTIA reports that the most common roles taken up by certificate holders, include:

  • Security Architect
  • Security Engineer
  • Security Consultant
  • Security Specialist
  • Security or Systems Administrator

Salaries of Security Certified Professionals
As you can see from the schedule below, salaries for security professionals are nothing to sneeze at, even for those only in the first quartile of the salary curve.

Median Salaries for Cybersecurity Professionals
Information Security Analyst – $72,143
Cyber Security Analyst – $75,631
Security Engineer – $91,022
Information Security Manager – $116,157
Information Security Engineer – $97,387

And to reiterate based on the current cybersecurity talent gap, the salary trend for these positions is decidedly positive and shows no signs of slowing.

Become a certified cybersecurity professional. Get started with CompTIA Security+ with binge-worthy learning from ITProTV.

While it’s true that the current dearth of security professionals presents opportunities for even non-certified security professionals to advance their careers and salary prospects, it stands to reason that those carrying the most prestigious and widely recognized certifications will still be in the best position to advance. Importantly, when comparing the minimal costs of preparing for the Security+ certification test and actually taking the test, the ROI for those who pass is measurable and significant. For a few hundred dollars, newly certified cybersecurity professionals can generate many multiples in returns on their salaries and career paths. That said, individuals interested in exploring further their Security+ certification plans are encouraged to check out this video overview from ITProTV.