How do I get a Security Plus Certification?

By Juliet D'cruz

Which is the fastest-growing field in the IT industry?

Security!

Did you know that your activities on the Internet may face a data breach any time, anywhere?

We have become so dependent on our smartphones for every task that we don’t mind sharing our personal information such as UID number, social media account, or even our bank account numbers. 

The service providers are responsible for providing the utmost security to our activities. This is why each and every company is looking for security professionals who are perfectly trained and certified.

Cybercriminals need only one vulnerability to cause an attack. You might have heard of data breaches that are taking place every other day. Facebook, Yahoo, Google, and every big name has faced a data breach. Also, data breaches happen with small companies too. This is why IT security jobs are available in every sector, across every industry. 

Did you know that according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Security Specialists, Managers, and Administrators who possess CompTIA Security Plus certification can earn over USD 86,000 annually?

This is why there is a surge in the number of professionals switching their careers to IT security to be in an exciting domain while earning great money. Let us explore what CompTIA Security plus certification is all about and how you can get one. 

CompTIA Security+ Overview

CompTIA Security+ is a global certification that validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career.’

As defined by CompTIA.

It is the first security certification that you need to earn in order to enter into the world of IT security. This is because it establishes the foundational knowledge required for performing any cybersecurity role and provides the basis for moving towards senior-level cybersecurity jobs. Security+ inculcates best practices in hands-on troubleshooting and ensures that a candidate possesses the problem-solving skills needed to:

  • Assess the security architecture of an enterprise environment and suggest and implement suitable security solutions.
  • Monitor and secure hybrid cloud environments, mobile and IoT, etc.
  • Operate by knowing applicable policies and laws that include principles of governance, risk, and compliance.
  • Recognize, analyze, and respond to security incidents.

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Why CompTIA Security+?

Before choosing to go with any certification, you look for all of the pros and cons of pursuing that. Let’s look at why you should pursue security+ certification. 

  • Most employers look for Security+ certification

Almost all corporations and many defense organizations prefer this certification to validate the baseline skills regarding IT security. Also, this certification is DoD 8570 compliant, which means that you can work for the government. 

  • This certification validates your hands-on skills

This is the only certification that focuses on hands-on practical skills and ensures that you can perform well while facing complex issues of today’s dynamic environment.

  • Security+ certification is aligned to the latest techniques and trends

This certification covers the most basic technical skills that are required such as risk assessment and management, forensics, incident response, hybrid/cloud operations, enterprise networks, and security controls, which ensures great performance in the job.

Now that you have read about the pros of going with this certification, let us look forward to how to earn this certification.

How to get Security Plus Certification?

The most important question is how to attain the certification. So, the steps you need to follow are:

  • Meet the Prerequisites

The foremost thing is to meet the eligibility criteria. You should have at least two years of experience in IT administration with security at its prime focus; you should possess technical information security experience on a daily basis; it is recommended that you possess CompTIA Network plus certification.

  • Know Your Exam Well!

Read about the CompTIA Security+ exam on various resources and what it takes to pass this exam on the first attempt. When you go through the details regarding questions you will be able to know what are the areas that need more attention. 

To acquire a general understanding of the exam, you can go through the CompTIA Security+ product page; Download the CompTIA Security+ exam objectives; read the experiences of certification holders and their guidance.

  • Determine the areas that you need to emphasize

You should determine the gap between what topics you know well and what are 

areas that you need to make strong. So know the gap between what you already know and what you’re expected to know. You can then plan your study schedule according to the inventory of the exam areas. 

  • Plan to fill the Knowledge Gap

You need a comprehensive learning resource to fill this knowledge gap. You can make a self-study plan. There is a self-study guide that teaches you about the basic principles of installing and configuring information security controls and makes you practice risk mitigation and incidence response. The self-study guide also covers the objectives and content examples mentioned in the syllabus.

  • Go with a training course

It is always possible to go with self-study and prepare for the exam. But it is strongly recommended that you go with an online training course. This is because the Security plus certification exam is generally taken by candidates who are already working professionals. As a working professional, you may find it difficult to manage time for arranging the stuff and preparing for the exam. 

On the other hand, online training courses from an accredited institute can blow out all your worries of arranging the stuff to be studied and studying at the confined hours. Other benefits of online training are self-paced learning; choice of learning modes such as blended learning, instructor-led, or online training; doubt sessions at the end of the course, job assistance, and round-the-clock learners’ assistance.

So, get trained!

What are the job roles that utilize CompTIA Security Plus Certification?

They are:

  • System Administrator
  • Security Specialist
  • Security Engineer
  • Network Administrator
  • Security Administrator
  • Junior IT Auditor/ Penetration Tester
  • Security Consultant

The Wrap Up

As we know, CompTIA Security+ certification is international, a vendor-neutral certification that validates your competency in network security, threats and vulnerabilities, cryptography, application, data, and host security, access control and identity management, compliance, and operational security. 

Acquiring this certification can make you upgrade your career and earn great salaries and perks. To get the certification, the best way is to take up an online training course, as mentioned above.

Enroll now! 

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