Why Security+ Certification is Important to Your Career
CompTIA Security+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of cybersecurity. It is designed to test for a basic understanding of security concepts and best practices and is considered a foundational certification for a career in IT security.
Employers often use the Security+ certificate as a benchmark for hiring and promoting employees in the field, and many organizations recognize it as a standard for entry-level security professionals.
It is a good starting point for those looking to begin a career in the industry, as it covers a broad range of topics and is recognized by employers as a sign of competency. Holding this certification can lead to increased financial benefits and opportunities for advancement in the field.
If you are aspiring to be a future cybersecurity professional, you are in the right place. Below we have covered the different aspects of Security+ certification in a brief and comprehensive guide.
Employers often use the Security+ certificate as a benchmark for hiring and promoting employees in the field, and many organizations recognize it as a standard for entry-level security professionals.
It is a good starting point for those looking to begin a career in the industry, as it covers a broad range of topics and is recognized by employers as a sign of competency. Holding this certification can lead to increased financial benefits and opportunities for advancement in the field.
If you are aspiring to be a future cybersecurity professional, you are in the right place. Below we have covered the different aspects of Security+ certification in a brief and comprehensive guide.
What is Security+?
Security+ is an entry-level cyber security credential offered by the non-profit trade association CompTIA. It is most information security professionals' first IT certification. As someone who is trying to get into the field of Information Technology, the Security+ certification will show your potential employer that you have the core skills required for a cybersecurity role and make you a competitive candidate.
Benefits Of Having the Security+ Certification
1. Increased Salaries for Those Who have the Security+ Certification
A Security+ certified professional can expect to have an average salary of $81,100. Job roles covered by the Security+ certification are categorized under network and computer systems administrators in most countries.
This certification provides you with recognition for your skill set in the field of information systems security and makes you stand out among other non-certified individuals. This not only makes it easier to land jobs but gives you the upper hand when it comes to negotiating pay. A candidate with relevant experience and accreditation will be able to dictate their salary.
This certification provides you with recognition for your skill set in the field of information systems security and makes you stand out among other non-certified individuals. This not only makes it easier to land jobs but gives you the upper hand when it comes to negotiating pay. A candidate with relevant experience and accreditation will be able to dictate their salary.
2. Your Services Will Be in Demand
Companies in both government and private industries are in high demand for individuals who have earned the CompTIA Security+ certification. It demonstrates that they have the knowledge and skills to effectively secure and protect networks, systems and data from cyber threats.
The Security+ certification assures employers that certified professionals have the necessary knowledge to implement security measures such as access controls, incident response, and risk management.
Furthermore, the certification is globally recognized, vendor-neutral, and meets ISO 17024 standards, which makes it a reliable and valuable asset for employers.
The Security+ certification assures employers that certified professionals have the necessary knowledge to implement security measures such as access controls, incident response, and risk management.
Furthermore, the certification is globally recognized, vendor-neutral, and meets ISO 17024 standards, which makes it a reliable and valuable asset for employers.
3. CompTIA Security+ Is the Industry Standard
The CompTIA Security+ certification is considered a key foundational certification in the field of cybersecurity. It is developed by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) and is accredited by ANSI, which is a testament to its ability to meet the ISO 17024 standard.
The individuals who have obtained this certification have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to comply with the standard.
The individuals who have obtained this certification have the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to comply with the standard.
4. No Prerequisites or Experience Required
A common reason why people do not pursue certifications that could greatly benefit their careers is the list of prerequisites and qualifications required to enter the training and obtain the certification.
However, the CompTIA Security+ certification does not have any such requirements. Unlike other certifications in the field of cybersecurity, there are no mandatory prerequisites or experience required to obtain the Security+ certification.
CompTIA does recommend that candidates have around two years of work experience in the networking and security fields. This is because having work experience in these fields will increase the chances of being hired quickly and passing the certification exam.
However, the CompTIA Security+ certification does not have any such requirements. Unlike other certifications in the field of cybersecurity, there are no mandatory prerequisites or experience required to obtain the Security+ certification.
CompTIA does recommend that candidates have around two years of work experience in the networking and security fields. This is because having work experience in these fields will increase the chances of being hired quickly and passing the certification exam.
5. Work for Reputable Organizations In Both Private And Government Sectors
One of the most significant advantages of the Security+ Certification Training is the fact that it is recognized and accepted by reputable private and government organizations.
Additionally, it is also approved by the U.S. Department of Defense and it is their mandated network cybersecurity certification as well. It will open the door to countless career opportunities for you in the US and other countries.
Additionally, it is also approved by the U.S. Department of Defense and it is their mandated network cybersecurity certification as well. It will open the door to countless career opportunities for you in the US and other countries.
6. Vendor-Neutral Approach Gives You Options
The Security+ Certification is not specific to any one vendor and instead focuses on general cybersecurity knowledge and skills. This makes individuals with this certification more attractive to employers in the field, providing more job opportunities.
The broad knowledge and skills gained by completing the program make network administrators and security consultants with this certification more in demand in the marketplace, giving you options when looking for opportunities.
The broad knowledge and skills gained by completing the program make network administrators and security consultants with this certification more in demand in the marketplace, giving you options when looking for opportunities.
7. Perfect for Government Work
The CompTIA Security+ Certification is an ideal starting point for those looking to work in networking or cybersecurity within government agencies. Additionally, the certification meets the standards set by DOD 8570, a compliance standard for contractors and government employees in the IT field.
This includes meeting the requirements for both Management Level-1 and Technical Level-2 positions.
This includes meeting the requirements for both Management Level-1 and Technical Level-2 positions.
8. It Helps You Stay Up to Date With Recent Advances In IT
The Security+ Certification is an IT certification that allows you to stay up-to-date and improve your cybersecurity skills on an ongoing basis. This is because anyone with the Security + Certification must renew their credentials every three years. The process, which offers multiple methods of renewal, provides a regular opportunity (and requirement) to maintain and enhance your professional level and knowledge base.
How Does Security+ Certification Add Value to Your Profile?
The Security+ Certification not only validates your skills but also gets your foot into the industry. It proves that you have spent your time and money to get skilled in this field. This shows that you are serious about not only your career but are a reliable resource to the organization that you will work for.
HR Managers during recruitment will give you an edge over other under-qualified candidates and help you to be more successful in the interview process. It also tells that your performance will be of a higher caliber and make your career future-proof.
It can also increase your chances of future promotions and improves your professional image within your network of Information Systems Security professionals.
HR Managers during recruitment will give you an edge over other under-qualified candidates and help you to be more successful in the interview process. It also tells that your performance will be of a higher caliber and make your career future-proof.
It can also increase your chances of future promotions and improves your professional image within your network of Information Systems Security professionals.
What Does the Security+ Exam Cover?
The CompTIA Security+ certification is widely popular among cybersecurity professionals because it covers hands-on and practical security skills in six key areas.
Preparing for the exam gives you a comprehensive understanding of practical knowledge and skills that are necessary to effectively address real-world security challenges.
Here’s a list of the domains and topics covered on the exam:
● Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities:
This domain covers topics such as various types of threats and attacks, including social engineering attacks, newer denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and vulnerabilities found in the internet of things (IoT) and embedded devices.
● Architecture and design:
Expect a focus on enterprise, cloud, and hybrid environments.
● Implementation:
This area of study includes subjects such as managing and verifying identities, using encryption techniques, ensuring end-to-end security, and implementing public key infrastructure (PKI).
● Operations and incident response:
This section tests your knowledge of incident response procedures, including threat detection, security controls, risk mitigation, and digital forensics.
● Governance, risk, and compliance:
Make sure to understand major risk and compliance regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, SOC, NIST, CCPA, FISMA, and PCI-DSS.
Preparing for the exam gives you a comprehensive understanding of practical knowledge and skills that are necessary to effectively address real-world security challenges.
Here’s a list of the domains and topics covered on the exam:
● Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities:
This domain covers topics such as various types of threats and attacks, including social engineering attacks, newer denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and vulnerabilities found in the internet of things (IoT) and embedded devices.
● Architecture and design:
Expect a focus on enterprise, cloud, and hybrid environments.
● Implementation:
This area of study includes subjects such as managing and verifying identities, using encryption techniques, ensuring end-to-end security, and implementing public key infrastructure (PKI).
● Operations and incident response:
This section tests your knowledge of incident response procedures, including threat detection, security controls, risk mitigation, and digital forensics.
● Governance, risk, and compliance:
Make sure to understand major risk and compliance regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, SOC, NIST, CCPA, FISMA, and PCI-DSS.
What are the Security+ Prerequisites?
There are no formal requirements to take the Security+ exam. CompTIA recommends aspiring candidates have at least two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security systems.
If you want to, you can also apply for the CompTIA Network+ certification first and then go for the Security+ to have a better understanding and skill set.
If you want to, you can also apply for the CompTIA Network+ certification first and then go for the Security+ to have a better understanding and skill set.
What Is The Cost of Security+ Certification?
The cost of Security+ certification with the Exam code SY0-601 is $370. The cost of an exam voucher varies for each region. If you are from an emerging market country it will cost you $213 and if you are from Europe it will cost you €344.
Vouchers in other countries will cost you:
Vouchers in other countries will cost you:
- Great Britain 226 GBP
- Japan 43,469 JPY
- Australia 515 AUD
- South Africa 2928 ZAR
How Much Time Is Required to Prepare For Security+ Certification?
The time to prepare for Security+ Certification will depend on your knowledge and skill set.
The average person prepares for their CompTIA Security+ test for 30 to 45 days, and people without prior IT experience can take up to 60 days.
This can be considered a guideline to follow, but you should ultimately determine how much time you need depending on how well you know the material and how well you perform on practice tests.
The average person prepares for their CompTIA Security+ test for 30 to 45 days, and people without prior IT experience can take up to 60 days.
This can be considered a guideline to follow, but you should ultimately determine how much time you need depending on how well you know the material and how well you perform on practice tests.
How To Apply to Take The Test For Security+ Certification?
The Security+ exams are proctored at a Pearson VUE testing center in a highly secure environment. You can visit Pearson Vue to find a testing center near you.
However, here’s what you should know about the testing process and what steps you need to take.
Buy Your Voucher or Voucher/Training Bundle
When you're ready to take the exam, purchase your Security+ voucher from the CompTIA Store. A voucher is a code that will enable you to sign up for your exam.
Schedule Your Exam
Next, you'll need to take your CompTIA Security+ exam from an approved location. As mentioned above, CompTIA works with Pearson VUE testing centers that have locations all over the world where you can schedule an appointment to take the exam.
Members of the US military may be eligible to take the CompTIA Security+ exam from an on-base testing center.
However, here’s what you should know about the testing process and what steps you need to take.
Buy Your Voucher or Voucher/Training Bundle
When you're ready to take the exam, purchase your Security+ voucher from the CompTIA Store. A voucher is a code that will enable you to sign up for your exam.
Schedule Your Exam
Next, you'll need to take your CompTIA Security+ exam from an approved location. As mentioned above, CompTIA works with Pearson VUE testing centers that have locations all over the world where you can schedule an appointment to take the exam.
Members of the US military may be eligible to take the CompTIA Security+ exam from an on-base testing center.
How To Prepare for The Security+ Exam?
There are a number of methods for preparing for the Security+ exam, depending on your prior experience, current knowledge, and preferred method of learning. Some options to consider include:
1. Exam Preparation Courses
Various organizations provide exam preparation courses specifically for the Security+ exam, including CompTIA. Taking a course can provide a structured learning experience and ensure that you cover all the necessary topics. When researching courses, make sure to find one that covers the latest version of the exam (SY0-601).
2. CompTIA Security+ Practice Tests
Taking a practice test can help identify weak areas and familiarize with the format and types of questions on the actual exam. This can also help to reduce anxiety on the day of the test. CompTIA offers a free practice test for the Security+, and many other options are available online.
If you are self-studying, taking a practice test early on can help identify areas of strength and weakness, and taking one again a few weeks before the actual exam date can help determine if further study is needed.
If you are self-studying, taking a practice test early on can help identify areas of strength and weakness, and taking one again a few weeks before the actual exam date can help determine if further study is needed.
3. Books, Blogs, And Websites
For a person who is good at self-learning, there are a number of options available. One of them is to prepare your own learning pathway. There are countless resources out there that can help you. From books and website articles to blogs and podcasts.
Here are a few resources recommended by those who’ve passed the exam to get you started:
Here are a few resources recommended by those who’ve passed the exam to get you started:
- Professor Messer: This popular YouTube channel features 177 free videos specifically for the latest Security+ exam. They’re also available as a podcast.
- CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide: This book by Darril Gibson, available as an ebook or paperback, covers the exam objectives with more than 300 practice test questions with detailed explanations.
- Self Assessment And Quantitative Feedback: You can assess your progress over time and compare it with someone else who is appearing for this certification.
4. Classroom Training
For candidates that do not want to do self-study and prefer learning in a classroom environment, there are many options. CompTIA Security+ certification training is offered by many public academic institutions, such as colleges, as well as private academic institutions, such as professional training centers.
The cost of classroom training depends on your choice and can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. You can find classroom training in your area on your classroom training page. For organizations looking for instructor-led training, CompTIA offers Classroom Training for Organizations.
The cost of classroom training depends on your choice and can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. You can find classroom training in your area on your classroom training page. For organizations looking for instructor-led training, CompTIA offers Classroom Training for Organizations.
5. Some Helpful Exam Tips
No matter how you choose to prepare for the certification exam, here are some tips to help you do your best.
- Review certification objectives and use them as a study checklist.
- Use flashcards to memorize acronyms and port numbers.
- Read all answer options in multiple choice questions carefully, and eliminate wrong answers before choosing.
- Flag unsure questions for review and come back to them later if possible.
- Pay attention to words such as “best,” “most,” and “least” in test questions to narrow down answer options.
- Take sample tests from multiple vendors, and continue preparing until you can reliably pass with 80-90%.
- Answer every question, even if you have to guess, as CompTIA does not penalize you for wrong answers.
- Utilize the option to reschedule the exam up to 24 hours before the appointment time if needed.
- Join CompTIA groups on Reddit and Discord to connect with other exam takers.
Why is Security+ Important to Software Developers?
Software engineers working in information systems security should go for this certification as it will not only help them to implement the best practices but also open a wide range of opportunities for them.
How Security+ Certification Can Be a Steppingstone For CISSP Certification
Security+ certification can be a steppingstone for CISSP certification in a few ways:
Overall, the Security+ certification can be a valuable stepping stone for those looking to advance their career in the information security field by attaining the CISSP certification. Visit CISSP Now to learn more and download a free-ebook to help you prepare.
- Knowledge Prerequisite: Security+ certification is a knowledge prerequisite for CISSP certification. This means that having the Security+ certification demonstrates that you have a solid understanding of security concepts and principles, which will be helpful when studying for the CISSP exam.
- Experience Requirement: CISSP certification requires a minimum of five years of work experience in two or more of the eight domains covered in the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Having a Security+ certification demonstrates that you have at least some experience in the security field and can count toward meeting the experience requirement for CISSP.
- Exam Preparation: Security+ certification covers many of the same topics as the CISSP exam, such as network security, cryptography, and access control. This means that studying for the Security+ certification can help you build a foundation for the CISSP exam.
- Career Advancement: Many organizations prefer or require their employees to have certifications such as CISSP, Security+ is a stepping stone to achieving that goal.
Overall, the Security+ certification can be a valuable stepping stone for those looking to advance their career in the information security field by attaining the CISSP certification. Visit CISSP Now to learn more and download a free-ebook to help you prepare.
Final Thoughts
If you plan on attempting the Security+ certification exam shortly, you should start planning for it. There are several topics you will have to cover before giving the exam, which can make it a little tricky.
As a prospective candidate, your focus should be not only on passing the exam but also on learning and growing as a professional in the information systems security field.
Remember that the Security+ exam is quite easy if you prepare well, and you can pass it on the first attempt. All you need to do is to devise an effective strategy and find a training program that will help you achieve your goal.
As a prospective candidate, your focus should be not only on passing the exam but also on learning and growing as a professional in the information systems security field.
Remember that the Security+ exam is quite easy if you prepare well, and you can pass it on the first attempt. All you need to do is to devise an effective strategy and find a training program that will help you achieve your goal.
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