From Cloud First to Virtual First

For the past three years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and speak with CIOs from across the country about their strategic planning efforts for technology. Many smaller local governments have struggled with maintaining their on-premise infrastructure while keeping up with the demands of technology with small workforces and limited budgets. Larger local governments have struggled with similar issues while also focusing on how to architect a technology roadmap that meets the needs of thousands of users and maintains or reduces technical capital investment.

As some of you have heard me describe, Loudoun County (Va.) began the journey to evaluate our technology infrastructure and applications in 2017. After a significant power issue that shut down the County’s primary data center for 26 hours, Loudoun embarked on the development of a technology roadmap that has resulted in the shift of data center infrastructure from County owned facilities, to fit for purpose data centers. We also began, and have focused on, a “cloud first” journey, migrating many of the County’s on-premise applications to cloud hosted solutions such as IaaS and SaaS.

Many local governments have made significant progress in improving their technical infrastructure and applications through similar purposeful strategic planning efforts. COVID-19 is introducing the next wave of technical strategic planning in what I believe is the next focus area for technology planning; the “Virtual First” Technology Roadmap.

More Info: comptia a+ salary

Description of CompTIA Security+ Certification

Cybersecurity is an increasingly pressing concern for organizations across all sectors. If you’re looking to further your career in cybersecurity or switch into a more security-centric role, the CompTIA Security+ certification might be perfect for you. In this blog, you’ll find a detailed answer to the question: What is CompTIA Security+ certification?

CompTIA Security+ is an internationally recognized, vendor-neutral certification from CompTIA that demonstrates competency in the baseline skills needed for a career in IT security industry. Earning this certification verifies your skills in the following areas based on the exam objectives:
Threats, attacks and vulnerabilities: You can detect various kinds of compromise and have knowledge of penetration testing and vulnerability scanning.
Technologies and tools: You can deploy various network components, as well as assess and troubleshoot problems to support operational and information security technology
Architecture and design: You know how to implement a secure network architecture, cloud computing, virtualization technology and systems design.
Identity and access management: You can implement access controls and identity management and access services, as well as management control
Risk management: You understand risk management and data security best practices and their business impact.
Cryptography and PKI: You can install and configure settings for wireless security and implement public key infrastructure (PKI).

More Info: what jobs can you get with an a+ certification

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) vs. Security+ Certification

Another excellent certification from (ISC)2 is its Certified Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential. The CISSP certification is a premier, advanced cyber security credential for professionals who are at the pinnacle of their careers. Not only is the CISSP globally recognized, but the financial rewards for credential holders are substantial. According to the Global Knowledge 2018 IT Skills and Salary Report, the CISSP is the number one ranked certification in terms of earning potential.

The CISSP targets seasoned professionals in senior roles such as security director, IT director, IT manager, chief information officer (CIO), chief information security officer (CISO), network architect, security systems engineer, security manager, security analyst, auditor and security architect. CISSPs design, implement and manage cybersecurity solutions. A single CISSP exam is required, along with a minimum of 5 years of paid work experience. The cert is good for three years; to maintain the credential, you must earn 120 CPEs and pay an annual maintenance fee of $85.

In terms of how the CISSP and Security+ stack up against each other, there really is no comparison. The CISSP is an expert-level credential focused on experienced security practitioners who work in senior security leadership roles. Security+ is geared to security professionals beginning their careers and often serves as the foundation to more advanced roles and credentials.

More Info: a+ network+ security+ jobs

Top Certifications to Begin

Jason Hernandez switched from a music career to IT in 2016, getting training through the IT-Ready Technical Support program in the CompTIA Tech Career Academy. Armed with his first IT certification, CompTIA A+, he landed an IT job, working as a technical user support analyst at Medtronic.

Having that certification enabled me to advance my training, and I subsequently earned the Red Hat Certified Systems Administrator certification. Those two certs got my foot in the door at a global cloud hosting company, where I have been the last four years, with one promotion into my current role,” said Portner, who is now a Linux systems administrator at Rackspace. “I am currently studying for more certifications, in particular the AWS certs, to keep current and competitive. Obtaining industry recognized certifications is a surefire way to enter the field and be recognized as an IT professional serious about their career.”
More Info: what jobs can i get with comptia a+

Will the CISSP certification get me a job?

Legal checks often include local, state, and national sources to see if a potential employee has any legal issues that might impact their employment. Legal issues won’t necessarily eliminate a person from a job. As an example, it probably won’t matter if a person with a recent speeding ticket is applying for a technical job that doesn’t require driving. On the other hand, if a person is asked and they lie about it, it will matter.

Financial checks are used in many different ways. I remember a student in a class telling me that insurance companies frequently use financial checks when pricing insurance policies. A poor credit score typically results in a higher priced policy. Similarly, hiring managers might equate a poor credit score with a lower level of responsibility and use this as an elimination factor.

During the interview phase, you have an opportunity to shine. You can expect to be asked about your knowledge and skill set related to the job and you should be able to easily talk about anything you’ve included on your resume.

More Info: jobs you can get with a+ certification

internal threat assessment comptia a+

Manmade. A manmade threat assessment evaluates all threats from humans. These include both malicious human threats and accidental human threats. A malicious human threat refers to any potential attack from a person or group of people. An accidental human threat refers to any potential loss caused by a person or group accidentally.

• Internal. An internal threat assessment evaluates threats from within an organization. This includes threats from malicious employees and threats from accidents. It also includes threats related to hardware failure.

• External. An external threat assessment evaluates threats from outside an organization. This includes any threats from external attackers. It also includes any natural threats, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes.

Ziffcorp is developing a new technology that they expect to become a huge success when it’s released. The CIO is concerned about someone stealing their company secrets related to this technology. Which of the following will help the CIO identify potential dangers related to the loss of this technology?

A. Threat assessment

B. Vulnerability assessment

C. Privacy threshold assessment

D. Privacy impact assessment

Answer is A. A threat assessment evaluates potential dangers that can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability of data or a system. It evaluates threats and attempts to identify the potential impact from threats.
More Info: jobs with comptia a+

Security+ exam fit within the CompTIA credential path?

The CompTIA exam application process has not and will not change with the release of the SY0-501 exam. The cost of the exam remains the same, at $320 US. You will still to acquire an exam voucher and schedule examination through Pearson Vue testing centers.
CompTIA is now promoting an updated and slightly altered approach to the completion and maintenance of IT credentials. The approach is heavily driven by ISO 17024, DoD 8140, and DoD 8570.01-M that require continuing education that meets a three year review and potential grade level promotion.
IT Fundamentals is a vocabulary, terminology and context credential offered directly from CompTIA that does not require any formal training or certification exam.

Following IT Fundamentals, all subsequent credentials require passing a forma examination through Pearson Vue testing centers
A+ requires 6-9 months of IT/Technology experience and the completion of two certification exams (currently 220-901 and 220-902).
Network+ requires 18 months of IT experience, training in networking infrastructure and technologies, and hands on skills with detailed emphasis on TCP/IP, UDP/IP, and internet packet header content.
Security+ suggests a minimum of 2 years of IT/technology experience that includes A+, Network+, or equivalent skill sets.
More Info: entry level it certifications

Understanding the Enterprise Impact of Cybersecurity Risks

CASP+ Exam Objective 1.1: Summarize business and industry influences and associated security risks

To sufficiently protect an organization, IT pros must know the internal and external influences for IT risk, including the impact of new products, technologies, mergers, partnerships, de-perimeterization and government regulations on an organization’s security posture.

A cybersecurity professional who has CASP+ understands the concepts of changing business models and strategies based on enterprise risk. COVID-19 put pressure on organizations to quickly change their business models to survive. IT pros who have CASP+ can adapt an enterprise’s security posture to new business models and ensure the organization continues operations.
2. Addressing Organizational Risks with Policy

CASP+ Exam Objective 1.2: Compare and contrast security, privacy policies and procedures based on organizational requirements

IT pros must support the following to properly protect an organization:
Policy and process life cycle management
Legal compliance
Business impact analysis (BIA)
Security requirements for requests for proposals (RFPs)
Support of policy development
Standard cybersecurity practices

CASP+ certification holders understand best practices in emerging risks, such as COVID-19, and know how to help support the development of policies containing standard security practices that incorporate a pandemic.
More Info: comptia a+ certification benefits

The Evolution of Remote Work

State and local governments have allowed their employees to work remotely to varying degrees for years, although their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have dramatically accelerated the necessity to modernize remote work policies and procedures.

Public sector employees typically accustomed to accessing physical resources in an office environment are now making the transition to working from home. This rapid transition has proven to be both beneficial and challenging for state and local agencies.

In the coming weeks, CompTIA’s State, Local and Education (SLED) Committee and the Human Services IT Advisory Group (HSITAG) will explore the need to address both the immediate and long-term challenges of moving to remote work.

The pandemic has thrown a massive spotlight on the need for state and local systems to modernize. The most apparent has been the overly taxed Unemployment Insurance systems across the country. Many states have been forced to respond quickly with varying degrees of success. While the focus has largely been on Unemployment Insurance systems, there will be secondary and tertiary impacts because of increased demand placed on downstream services such as re-employment services, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefit systems. Similarly, there will be downstream effects to moving state and local employees who support these critical services to remote work.
More Info: comptia it fundamentals jobs

Cloud Smart and DoD Proven

CompTIA Cloud+ has been adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that its personnel and contractors are appropriately trained. In February 2020, CompTIA Cloud+ met the DoD Manual 8570.01 requirements for those who work with sensitive information and need to satisfy specific job requirements.

The DoD approved CompTIA Cloud+ for three vital workforce categories:
Information Assurance Manager Level I (IAM I)
Cybersecurity Service Provider Infrastructure Support (CSSP-IS)
CSSP Analyst (CSSP-A)

In addition to these workforce categories, CompTIA Cloud+ aligns with the U.S. Government Cloud Smart initiative. The cloud is about creating continuously updated, secure and highly available solutions – all of which are key components of the new CompTIA Cloud+ exam and illustrate the need for a security-first mindset that allows for flexible implementations of new technologies.
More Info: what can you do with an a+ certification

Training for CompTIA Security+ Certification

CompTIA security+ Certification exam can be challenging, but it need not be the hardest test in the world and so does training for the course.

With growing severity and frequency of the cyber crimes, IT industry has a big challenge to get professionals well equipped with the skills required to combat these cyber crimes. Hence businesses and government organizations need trained individuals to address these threats and defend computer systems from attacks and fraud.

IT training industry is developing various courses and implementing modes of training to better acquaint IT professionals with the required skills. Students who intend to do their certifications via training have variety of flexible training methodologies, like CompTIA Security+ Bootcamp course, CompTIA Security+ online training course, CompTIA Security+ Instructor Led Live Virtual Training and many more similar ways that validate your credentials to achieve your Security+ certification.
More Info: jobs that require a+ certification

Reasons You Should Earn the New CompTIA A+

Every release of a new CompTIA A+ version opens the debate about the value of the certification. It’s one of those topics that splits industry professionals. Even in 2019.

Many people say that it is not worth the time and expense of achieving certification status. Others seem to think that it is an absolute necessity for anyone getting into the IT industry. The truth, like so many things, is probably somewhere closer to the middle.

Let’s take a closer look at the arguments for and against this entry-level certification — and discuss six reasons (in no particular order) why you should earn the new CompTIA A+ certification

Being CompTIA A+ certified is definitely worth it when it comes to landing entry-level jobs. It is recognized as one of the very first certifications that prospective IT pros should obtain. It validates enough general knowledge and skills about computers and networking to be useful. It is not intended as a super certification that trumps experience, but it shows employers two things.
More Info: jobs for a+ certification entry level

How CompTIA Security + certification can help your career

The CompTIA Security + certification consists of the best security practice on risk identification and mitigation. The skills candidates will build through this certification will not only help them to clear the certification exam but also focus on the key areas like security analytics. Still not convinced to pursue this CompTIA Certification course? Let’s find more about it to change your opinion.

You will earn a vendor-neutral security credential

CompTIA Security + is a globally recognized certification. That means professionals who have successfully obtained this certification can work anywhere across the globe. However, the skill they have are not limited to any specific IT vendor. This makes them eligible to work in any place where security is required.

You can see four main domains. Within each domain are subdomains that contain the topic points. Use the topics to target your studies. The Core 2 objectives alone are 19 pages long It is a good idea to print these for quick reference since there are over 30 sub-objectives that are all loaded with topics. Here’s a small chunk of the Core 2 Objective 1.0 Operating Systems. You will see the sub-domains shown here are numbered as 1.1,1.2,1.3 etc… This is where you should concentrate. The objectives are written in a manner that provides some perspective as to what they’re looking for.
More Info: comptia a+ jobs salary

Best Way To Prepare For The Certification

The Network+ certification is not very expensive but it does require a substantial amount of investment in terms of money and effort on part of the individual. So while self-study can be done by individuals to ace this certification, its highly recommended for beginners to enroll themselves in training courses for Network+ certification by Quickstart.

These courses are well rounded and allow you to prepare yourself extensively for the final exam, ensuring that you have all the necessary background knowledge on the level equivalent to an experienced networking professional about networking components covered in the certification.
How Much Can You Expect To Earn Post CompTIA Network+ Certification:

According to payscale.com, the average earnings by Network+ certified professionals can be up to $64k/year. This amount can increase substantially if you have prior network experience as well. But for a beginner, this pay scale is definitely above market standards making the Network+ certification an incredibly worthwhile investment for all those looking to secure a stable, high paying career for themselves.
Conclusion:

Apart from this Certification, CompTIA offers a wide range of other similar certifications covering different avenues in the IT sector, and if you are an IT professional looking to consolidate your career and power it in to a sustainable growth phase, then committing to such certifications will definitely prove to be incredibly beneficial for you.
More Info: comptia a+ jobs

How CompTIA Custom Training

Veterans may seem like a niche part of the population, but not so in El Paso. Talk a little bit about the significance of that group of people, military veterans in El Paso, what that means to the community.

Leila: We've always considered the population that is on Fort Bliss as part of our citizen base.

I mean, they are who we are. The entire landmass of Fort Bliss is tremendous. You can actually fit the State of Rhode Island within the boundaries of Fort Bliss. And they've got a large number of active military members, their families, the contractors. I mean, it's a city, it's another city within a city.
Employers in the community have always been ready and willing to accept them into their workforce. The education system, our retail sector, our medical sector, every sector is open and willing to accept our military population into the community.

They are a very diverse population and they come with a unique set of skills, and they're part of the family, and they're part of who we are as a community. They play a tremendous role in the success and the economy and the social fabric of El Paso.
More Info: computech a+ certification

Set up a CompTIA A+ test lab

Be honest. You wouldn’t get on an airplane with a Pilot who has never flown an airplane. Experience matters. While a significant amount of time can be spent on CompTIA A+ certification preparation, the best study guide is experience. Nothing prepares you more for a test than fixing a computer and running through the operating system to get a feel for it. A test lab is easy to set-up and requires very little in terms of money. In fact, any laptop will do. At worst, if you lack of funding, using Ebay, Offerup, Thrift Stores and more can net you some basic parts from ancient times to set-up your lab.
Network+

The CompTIA Network+ certification builds on the knowledge from the A+ certification with a focus on networking topics, such as network installation, administration, troubleshooting and security. Candidates are recommended to have an A+ certification or equivalent knowledge, and at least nine months of experience in IT networking.
Network+ study time: 45 days, after passing both A+ exams

A typical test lab would contain, a monitor, a desktop computer, networking components (such as a router, switch, and other networking components) and a current OS covered by the 220-901 and 220-902 Exams. With this basic set-up, you can start to tinker and practice for the 220-901 and 220-902. Don’t just set-up a lab, USE IT! Practice complex tasks like overclocking your CPU and becoming an expert at BIOS management. For CompTIA A+, the test is a general knowledge test, vast in span but not very deep. Using a test lab will help solidify concepts in your mind.

More Info: a+ certified jobs

Benefits of CompTIA A+

Introduction

Tech Republic had an article in December, 2012 about the top 5 in-demand certifications of 2013. CompTIA A+ was not one of them. But it would be wrong to assume that this vendor-neutral certification is not important for you.
What is it all about?

CompTIA’s website states that the A+ certification is the starting line for a career in IT. Major hardware and software companies like Dell, IBM, Lenovo, HP, CompuCom and Intel have made it a pre-requisite for their service technicians.
Certification Information

To get CompTIA A+ certified, one needs to clear two exams. They are discussed below:

CompTIA A+ 220-801 covers the basics of computer technology, laptops and related hardware, basic networking and installation and configuration of PCs.

CompTIA A+ 220-802 tests if one has the skills required to install and configure PC operating systems including configuring common features (e.g. network connectivity and email) for mobile operating systems like Apple iOS and Android.

More Info: comptia a+ certified jobs

Certified Network Defender course

Certified Network Defender course offers hands-on experience of the tools being used in industries. This will prepare you for real-time situations and help you in analyzing those situations in a better way. Here are of the tools and techniques covered in each domain throughout this course:
Veracrypt, PGP tool, WampServer.
MSBA, buck security, BatchPatch, SysLog server, Splunk.
Windows firewall inbound outbound configuration.
Snort and KFSsnsor honeypot IDS.
OpenVPN and SoftEther VPN.
Linksys Wireless Router.
Nmap, ColaSoft Ping Tool, Brutus, PRTG, ntopng, OSSIM.
Nessus, GFI LanGuard, Nsauditor, OpenVAS, OSSIM Alien Vault.
AOMEI Backupper Standard, EaseUS Data Recovery, Quick recovery tool, Minitool, Power Data Recovery.
Trainings and Preparation

To prepare for the Certified Network Defender (CND) Certification, attend Certified Network Defender CND Training programs held by Infosectrain.com. With the help of professional assistance, you will be able to learn and grasp the concepts quickly. The trainings will guide you through the course and provide you with expert-written study materials. Attending trainings will give you the advantage of having your labs monitored by someone. Also, the mock tests and assessments provided can help you prepare well for the final exam.
CND Exam

Exam Title: Certified Network Defender

Exam Code: 312-38

Number of Questions: 100

Exam Duration: 4 Hours

Test Format: Multiple Choice Questions

This exam is a combination of theoretical and practical concepts learned throughout the course. The passing score varies from 65% to 80%, depending on the difficulty of the question set.
More Info: comptia a certified jobs

Asset tags and Barcodes

Our Free CompTIA Network+ Study Guide for Network plus N10-007, the ExamNotes for Network+ N10-007 are in development, so for the time being, you will not find all the exam sub-objectives fully completed. We are working as fast as we can to finish this content but felt there was no reason to, in the mean-time, withhold what is already written.

You will be given a scenario where you will use the best practices to implement basic change management.
Documented business processes
Purpose of the change
Scope the change
Risk analysis
Plan for change
End-user acceptance
Change board

– Approvals
Backout plan
Document changes

Our Free CompTIA Network+ Study Guide for Network plus N10-007, the ExamNotes for Network+, when completed, will offer you one article for each CompTIA Exam Main- and Sub-Objective. In book format, these articles would together represent a 150+ page book of highly concentrated and laser-focused test preparation material.
More Info: what job can i get with a comptia a+

How to Prepare for CompTIA A+ Certification Exams

While it’s impossible to say how hard the A+ certification exams will be for you personally, there are some things that you can do to properly prepare, so you have a better likelihood of successfully obtaining your A+ credential:
Know the Exam Objectives

This may seem obvious, but knowing the objectives is more than just an indication of what will be on the exams. It also lets you know how you are progressing through the test material. Because the exams are timed, it’s important that you know where you are and how much of the material you have left to cover on the test.
Know Your Learning Type

Everyone learns best in a particular way. Knowing what type of learner you are will help you study for the exams more effectively. Perhaps you learn best by writing things down or taking notes. Or maybe you remember facts better by using flash cards to study. Maybe you need to explain concepts aloud to someone else to ensure you have a good grasp of the information. Figure out what works best for you and then use that strategy to prepare.
Practice, Practice, Practice

You can find practice tests for nearly every exam that is offered by CompTIA, including the A+ exams. Take these practice tests several times to see how you do. As you are reviewing your results, you can determine which areas you are having trouble with, and then increase your study efforts in those areas.
More Info: a+ certification jobs near me

What jobs can I get with CompTIA A + certification

Can I get a job with just CompTIA A+ certification?
Yes, definitely you will get job with your A+ certification but not in all companies because some companies seeking for experienced persons also.

17. What jobs can I get with CompTIA A + certification?
Service desk analyst
Technical support specialist
Field service technician
Associate network engineer
Data support technician
Desktop support administrator
End-user computing technician
Help desk technician
System support specialist

18. What is the Difference between new A+ core 1 220-1001 and old A+ essential 220-901?

CompTIA A+ 900 series added cloud concepts and placed a larger emphasis on Windows operating systems and A+ Core 1 exam series expands or puts more interest on the areas of security, Cloud, Networking and Device Connectivity, reducing the importance on hardware, mobile and Windows.

A+ Core 1 220-1001 exam objectives:

1.0 Mobile Devices 14%
2.0 Networking 20%
3.0 Hardware 27%
4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing 12%
5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 27%

A+ essential 220-901 exam objectives:

1.0 Hardware 34%
2.0 Networking 21%
3.0 Mobile devices 17%
4.0 Hardware and network troubleshooting 28%
More Info: comptia a+ salary