Linux on AWS: Things You Can Do

The AWS Free Tier gives you a lot to work with. Coupled with the “free” nature of most Linux operating systems, this means there is plenty you can build at no dollar cost. For those of you looking to get hands-on experience with Linux operating systems, the 750 monthly hours of EC2 t2.micro or t3.micro instances for 12 months is useful.

Because there are only 744 hours in 31 days, you should be able to get as much access as you need over the course of a year. Coupled with comparable free storage and database server options, you can build out a variety of projects to help sharpen your skills. Further, aspiring security pros can run Kali on the AWS free tier.

What works best for you will depend on your situation and needs. If you want to get familiar with cloud computing and Linux at the same time, AWS is solid. If you just want to tinker with a new operating system locally, it may make more sense to install VirtualBox. Similarly, if you want to scan local devices, you’ll probably want to run Kali at home and not in the cloud. The takeaway here is simple: consider the tradeoffs and pick what works best for you.

More Info: comptia cloud essentials salary

Best Cities for Tech Jobs

Once upon a time technology jobs were found in clusters around traditional tech hot spots. If you dreamed of working in tech, moving out west was the only place to be. But in recent years, the definition of a technology hub has changed – and the locales have greatly expanded. For instance, cities like Austin, Dallas, Raleigh and Charlotte all rank in the top 5 best cities for tech jobs on CompTIA’s recently released 2020 Tech Town Index. But there’s more to the story this year.

Say what you want about 2020. This year has changed all of us – and the technology industry is no exception. One of the most notable changes for IT pros is the remote workforce factor. While remote work has been on the tech sector’s radar for at least a decade, during COVID-19 the demand for remote IT workers increased with the number of job postings nearly doubling.

Of course, that begs the question: if you could work from anywhere, where would you live? And where would you make the most money? Let’s dive into the CompTIA Tech Town Index using CompTIA’s new IT Salary Calculator to identify in-demand IT careers and salaries and how location plays into the equation.

More Info: comptia a jobs

What Is an Incident Response Plan

Prepare for the inevitable: you are going to be the victim of a cyberattack. That attack could be a major cybersecurity incident using sophisticated hacks, malware or a possible data breach. Regardless of the scope or type of incident and the affected systems, having a planned and tested incident response process is key to preventing further damage and ensuring business continuity.

You may need a full-fledged computer security incident response team (CSIRT) to handle this type of action. More likely, existing IT staff and front-line employees will need to know how to handle an attack to ensure business continuity operations.

An effective incident response (IR) plan is a combination of people, process and technology that is documented, tested and trained toward in the event of a security breach. The purpose of the incident response plan is to prevent data and monetary loss and to resume normal operations.

More Info: entry level a+ certification jobs

Rapid Development of Cloud Computing

The growth of cloud computing is taking place at a rapid rate, and this has posed a serious challenge for many organizations. As per the Cost of Cloud Expertise Report (2017), 60% of organizations are struggling to keep pace with cloud technology due to a lack of relevant skills. On the other hand, organizations that can utilize expertise in adapting to the latest advances in cloud technology are enjoying enormous benefits.

Thus, to update the skills of your IT professionals, you can enroll them in these courses:

Cloud Administrator will help your cloud administrators acquire in-demand skills, knowledge, and certification to set up and configure the cloud platform. After completion of this course, your cloud administrators are sure to master all aspects of cloud monitoring.

Cloud Developer is made for application developers who develop and design applications for cloud environments. It covers all the practices on the application design for cloud platforms.

Cloud Architect covers all the fundamentals of building IT infrastructure on cloud platforms. With the help of reference models, your cloud architects will learn the components, processes, mechanisms, and technologies for planning and building cloud infrastructure.

More Info: what jobs can i get with a+ certification

Hiring for Entry Level IT Jobs

While more safely insulated from the economic fallout of the pandemic than other industries, IT has still seen its fair share of downs to go with all of its many ups.

Consider the most recent job market numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as analyzed by CompTIA:


“The tech sector recorded its second consecutive month of employment growth, adding an estimated 12,900 net new workers in both technical and non-technical positions. The IT services and custom software development category led the way in job gains … [However,] the industry’s employment growth was countered by an unexpected loss of 324,000 tech occupation jobs.”

If that latter part seems bad, here’s a little more good for you: In comparison to the national unemployment rate of 7.9%, unemployment for information technology careers is just 3.5%.

But if you’re a job seeker, these statistics don’t paint the full picture. Exactly what companies are hiring right now, and for which specific roles? Has the new emphasis on remote work changed companies’ hiring processes? Has it changed what they’re looking for in their candidates?

More Info: a+ certification near me

preparing for the CompTIA Network+ certification

There are no strings attached. It is a one-step, straight-forward process,” she said. “It’s an enriching experience to earn passive income if you have a simple strategy in place.”

And while earning passive income is nothing to take lightly, Jain thinks there are other less tangible benefits to participating in CompTIA Rewards.

“In hindsight, I think my participation here shows employers that I’m a go-getter and results-oriented,” Jain said.
Passive Income to Active Income

As Jain continues to grow her passive income, she’as also thinking about her active income. Currently a junior IT analyst, Jain’s passion lies in computer networks. And there’s no doubt she has a strategy for her career as well.

“I’m currently preparing for the CompTIA Network+ certification,” she said.

Her hope is that the certification combined with her plans to gain experience as a network administrator will set her up to explore the cybersecurity space as well. After all, the possibilities are endless when you have a plan and work at it.

More Info: comptia a+ technician

Cyber Security Consultant: A Complete Overview

As a cybersecurity consultant, you rope together the Security of an entire organization. To be successful in this line of work, you should have invaluable expertise in the security domain, which can only be attained through experience and certifications.
Get relevant Experience!!!

To work as a cybersecurity consultant, you first need to understand how the security industry functions. Of course, there are no eligibility criteria, but you need to have adroit knowledge of cybersecurity. One way to achieve this is by gaining experience from relevant fields like information security or security auditing. Let us look at the skills a cybersecurity consultant is expected to have.
Ethical hacking and Penetration testing

A consultant needs to understand the various means by which a hacker can get access to the system. This will help them introduce better defense measures.

Firewalls Antimalware and operating systems

Operating systems like Linux or Windows are widely used in the end systems and are most vulnerable. The knowledge of advanced firewalls and malware detection systems will help the consultant choose an optimal architecture for the client. An efficient configuration of these systems will make all the difference in safeguarding the internal network from breaches and attacks

More Info: jobs that require comptia a+ certification

How to use AWS Learning Needs Analysis

Our AWS LNA in association with AWS is a free, 3-step assessment programme that will help you to identify your organisations' cloud skills gaps. LNA is AWS' version of a Training Needs Analysis (TNA).
To register for AWS LNA and find out what training is missing from your team, follow these easy 3 steps:
Step One: AssessmentWhere business outcomes are mapped to organisational structures, and existing roles are mapped to recommended AWS roles

Step Two: AnalysisA self-assessment which measures cloud knowledge and skills across multiple functional areas

Step Three: ImplementationWe deliver the results, based on the extraction of the overall metrics and scores, and develop training plans mapped to AWS courses and certifications

More Info: net+ certification salary

cyber security education

There is no question that there is a serious need for cyber security education right now. Learning about cyber security can help protect your information and prevent your company from facing major consequences in the future. Phoenix TS offers courses that can help you do just that. Their online Cyber Security Awareness course provides a general overview of cybersecurity and how to protect systems while teleworking. The course tackles how to recognize cyber attacks and the correct actions to take when an attack has occurred. Those who participate in the course will learn about different types of cyber attackers, who they attack and their motivations for attacking. After that, students will be introduced to common cyber-attacks for teleworkers. For instance, the students will be able to view real life examples of phishing, watering holes, and man in the middle attacks. These real-life examples will demonstrate ways to identify these different attacks so that teleworkers know what it is that they are looking for. Finally, the students will learn about defenses for teleworkers and incident response.

Unfortunately, we do not know when social distancing will end. The spread of the COVID-19 virus has made teleworking the new norm. It is important that you stay informed and ensure that you and your company stay protected.

More Info: a+ certification jobs

Prerequisites for the DP-300 Exam

Basically, an Azure Database Administrator has to ensure management, performance monitoring, availability, optimization, and security related to modern relational database solutions. Another important aspect of the professional responsibility of an Azure Database Administrator is a collaboration with Azure Data Engineers for the management of operational aspects in various data platform solutions.

The next critical information for DP-300 exam preparation aspirants refers to the prerequisites for the exam. Candidates should note that there are no hardbound prerequisites for the DP-300 exam. Microsoft Azure encourages more candidates to try the DP-300 exam, with the intention of increasing the talent pool of Azure database administrators. However, candidates should have certain fluency in database administration and experience. Therefore, candidates should take a look at the following knowledge and experience requirements for the DP-300 exam.
Knowledge of operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions
At least 2 years of industry experience in database administration
Minimum of one year of hands-on experience in the management of data platform solutions on Microsoft Azure SQL Server and Microsoft Azure data services
Capabilities for using different methods and tools such as the implementation of T-SQL for administration and management objectives

More Info: jobs for a+ certification

the user’s DevOps systems

A detailed reflection on the components of the interplay between ChatOps and bots can showcase the foundation of the benefits of chatbots in DevOps. The foremost component of ChatOps is the collaboration tool or the chat app. The front-end chat system helps in connecting different stakeholders while supporting them in mutual interactions and with associated systems.

Chatbots are the second most important component in the ChatOps concept and are basically the central tool that holds everything in place. The chatbots facilitate an easy connection between the collaboration tool and the user’s DevOps systems. Chatbots provide a two-way communication channel for fetching desired information from systems and act accordingly.

The chatbots act as the missing link between the collaboration tool of your choice and DevOps tools such as AWS Lex, Hubot, ErrBot, or Lita. The final component in ChatOps is the target platform or the infrastructure. Chatbots in DevOps should have the capability for integration with the desired target platforms.

Domain-specific bots have been trained specifically with skills for a particular domain with the capabilities to understand human requirements effectively. The domain-specific bots interpret the context of a series of commands and respond to users for obtaining specific information associated with the command to perform a specific action.

More Info: what job can i get with a comptia a+

Domains Covered in the SY0-601 Exam

All the exams of CompTIA are created through subject matter expert workshops alongside industry-level survey results related to cybersecurity knowledge and skills of IT professionals. Now, candidates must also know about the expected changes in the new SY0-601 certification exam in the CompTIA Security+ certification track. The new content in the SY0-601 certification exam would focus on new technologies that were not in focus for the SY0-501 certification exam. So, the SY0-601 exam would focus mostly on the following new technologies,
Improved attention to cloud support and cloud security
Expansion of virtualization platforms and best practices for their security
Common security breaches for mobile devices
Security technologies for online payment systems and carts
Manufacturer-oriented issues pertaining to security of mobile devices
Attention on monitoring tools, related metrics, and conditions for data analysis
Focus on network access control models
Whenever you start your CompTIA Security+ certification preparation, get your hands on the official study guide for the certification. Candidates must use official resources from the CompTIA website for this purpose to access reliable information about the existing exams in the CompTIA Security+ certification track.

More Info: comptia jobs

Fast-forward 4 to schedule the Exam

First of all, comparing and contrasting the basic concepts of cryptography
Secondly, explaining cryptography algorithms and their basic characteristics
Thirdly, installing and configuring wireless security settings
Last, of all, implementing public key infrastructure
When you’re ready to take your CompTIA certification exam, you can schedule your test on the Pearson VUE website. Follow these three steps:

Create a Pearson VUE testing account

First thing first, you’ll require a Pearson VUE testing account to register for your certification exam and save your testing information with the testing centre.
2. Find a Pearson VUE test centre

For the next step, visit Pearson VUE’s website and find an authorized Pearson VUE test centre near your location to schedule the exam.
3. Schedule your exam

Now, sign in to your Pearson VUE account to find a testing centre. Here you can easily schedule, reschedule or cancel an exam appointment. When scheduling the exam, you can locate and select a nearby authorized testing centre. However, if you are unable to schedule your test online, Pearson VUE also allows scheduling via phone or via contacting your testing centre directly.

More Info: a+ certification salary

Gain Work-Related Experience

You can earn 3 CEUs per year (9 per renewal cycle) for work experience related to your certification. You will need to submit a letter from your employer on company letterhead containing the following info: name, job title, date, tasks you performed, and signature of supervisor.
Sample Re-certification Paths for Security+

In the section below we will explore some sample re-certification (based on our options above) paths for renewing the Security+. In each option below we are achieving 50 CEU points which is the required amount to renew our Security+.

There are essentially two routes to renewing the CompTIA certification:
Training or Certifying
Misc IT-related Activities

Career IT Professionals should be training and certifying at least once a year to keep their skills relevant and to progress up the IT career ladder; so the renewal process should be fairly simple for them. Employers will most likely pick up the tab for the training and the exam voucher. Non IT workers who need to maintain certification can consider either a training class every three years or a mix of various IT-related activities. If you are going this route, then it is wise to plan your activities in advance.

More Info: a+ certified technician

Talent Poaching on the Rise

While a limited candidate pool will drive wage growth, channel organizations need to make sure that compensation levels are in line with market trends and sustainable for the long term.
Saxton stated, “A lot of engineers are able to freelance and do consultancy, which has a significant impact in terms of what they demand for salary and pay, and that’s something we’re working on... [But] it doesn’t stay sustainable. You can’t keep paying all of these salaries, so we find a blend that works for everybody.”

5. Create IT apprenticeship programs to build your own talent pipeline.

Some managed service/solution providers, vendors and distributors create IT apprenticeship programs to nurture their own talent for technician, developer, engineer and analyst roles.

“We’ve seen quite an uptick in the traction of talent in apprenticeships. Great way to bring in younger talent. We’re seeing lots of recruitment at entry-level roles,” Hansford said.

Robust apprenticeship programs offer accelerated IT professional training that few schools and colleges can offer.

Saxton noted, “We’ve been doing [apprenticeships] for seven years now. Fifty-seven percent of our apprentices come from our outreach schools. Of that 57 percent, 100 percent move into management. [Those] students and young people we’ve worked with over the course of a few years move directly to senior and management roles in the business.”

More Info: jobs for comptia a+

How to Source the Right IT Talent

How can solution providers, vendors and distributors be strategic in sourcing the right IT talent for short- and long-term business needs? Hansford and Saxton shared their insights.

1. Reprioritize current projects based on existing skills.

Business leaders should reprioritize current projects based on talent they have now.

“We’ve had to rejig our priorities. We’ve had to reharmonize our talent in terms of having the right blend of individuals with the right skills to support cloud basics,” Saxton shared.

2. Reskill existing roles for core functions.

To support core business functions or mission-critical projects, IT companies are redeveloping the talent they already have.

Hansford said, “We’re seeing more and more people reskilling from roles that aren’t core or maybe don’t have a medium- or long-term future as part of the company’s business strategies. They’re reskilling roles before they’re looking to let people go.”

3. Identify skills gaps for future business needs.

In a business crisis like a pandemic or economic recession, it’s tempting to focus only on pressing recruitment needs.

“What we’ve seen is a lot of people retract. Retract to core business. Retract to business as usual… A lot of companies in the moment are in survival mode or recovery mode. They’re not looking at the bigger picture,” Hansford noted.

Hiring managers should devote time and energy to identifying skills gaps for future business needs. These skill gaps represent where companies need to grow their talent pipeline, starting now.

More Info: what jobs can i get with comptia a+

Cyber Security Specialist

Certifications: Security+, CEH, CHFIBase Training Period: 15 days
Skill Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: Knowledge of TCP/IP, Information systems and security background, and 12 months of experience in networking technologies
Ideal for: If you’ve completed A+ and Network+, or have similar job experience, you’re ready to take on this ambitious program.
Roles you’ll be qualified for: Cyber Security Specialist, Information Security Specialist, Information Security Auditor, Site Security Administrator, and Computer Forensics Investigator

If you enjoy detective work and want to get inside the mind of a hacker, this is the perfect program for you. Security+ and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) will provide a thorough understanding of the attack vectors and methods of hackers, as detailed above. By adding the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) certification to this mix, you’ll be able to track the movements of intruders in your network and systems and report on their activities and methods.

Does the idea of doing penetration testing on corporate networks pique your interest? Corporations understand the need for strong security better than anybody, and they are looking to hire experienced cyber security specialists who can protect them from cyberattacks and identify what went wrong. The mix of certifications in this program will perfectly position you for these kinds of opportunities.


More Info: jobs you can get with a+ certification

CompTIA Infrastructure Certifications

The second level of CompTIA certifications comprises three CompTIA Infrastructure certification related to core infrastructure technologies such as servers, open-source operating systems and cloud computing.
I. CompTIA Cloud+ Certification

The cloud computing market is booming and CompTIA Cloud+ certification helps learners in upskilling their know-how to securely implement, maintain, and utilize cloud technologies.

This certification focuses on IT professionals with a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in data center administration, storage, or networking. Cloud certifications are one of the top-paying credentials all across the globe.

The specific job roles where CompTIA Cloud+ Certification can be essential are Cloud Engineer, SysAdmins, Data Center Manager, Systems, or Network Engineer. It helps learners gain expertise in:
Implementing apt security controls based on given specific requirements.
Analyzing the requirements of the system for successfully executing workload migrations to the cloud.
Understand connectivity, troubleshoot capacity, security, and automation concerns related to cloud implementations.
Ensuring desired system performance by applying appropriate technologies comprising orchestration and automation.
Establish proper cloud resources allocation and deploy crucial changes based on the performance data.

To earn the CompTIA Cloud+ certification you need to pass the CompTIA Cloud+ (CV0-002) exam which is best suited for individuals with at least 2-3 years of experience in system administration.

More Info: jobs with comptia a+

Additional Certification Paths

CISSP certification is not where this path ends as the IISSCC also offers three advanced-level certifications for individuals who want to further specialize in different niches related to cybersecurity. These certifications are available in architecture (CISSP-ISSAP), engineering (CISSP-ISSEP) or management (CISSP-ISSMP). Apart from the CISSP certification itself, appearing in these advanced level certifications requires two relevant years of further experience in jobs related to these niche domains.
Can Someone Gain The Certification Without The Relevant Five Year Experience?

Yes, absolutely. Its definitely possible to appear in the CISSP exam without having the relevant work experience, however, you will have to acquire the required experience within 6 years of passing the exam. Until then, you won’t get the CISSP certification credential, instead, you will achieve the Associate of ISC2 certification.
CISSP Earning Benefits:

According to Payscale.com, individuals holding that CISSP certification in addition to 5-9 years of job experience will have an average salary of around $102,591, which is definitely on the higher side, but it’s not unusual. Cybersecurity is one of the most important domains for firms to focus on in today’s high-risk environment and individuals with a relevant skillset that’s validated by a top-notch certification are the ones that firms are actively looking out for. It’s this high demand that’s fueling the above-average salaries for individuals with CISSP certification.

More Info: entry level it certifications

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The globally-recognized CCSP certification exam is managed by (ISC)², which is one of the well-known cloud security certification providers. The CCSP training courses are suitable for IT and security professionals who manage the cloud security infrastructure. This certification allows you to get knowledge of cloud concepts, architecture and designing infrastructures, security data security, application security, systems, and platform security, security operations, and risk and compliance.

To earn the CCSP certification course, you want to have a minimum of 5 years cumulative, professional experience in IT, with a minimum of three years in information security, and 1 year in a minimum of 1 of the 6 domains of the (ISC)² CCSP Common Body of information (CBK), and pass the CCSP exam. If you lack the required experience, you’ll still pass the exam and qualify as an Associate of (ISC)².
You need to finish the endorsement process, comply with the (ISC)² Code of Ethics, and pay annual maintenance fees. For CCSP Exam prep you can take the help of instructor-led or self-paced courses, official textbooks, study guides, apps and flashcards, and official practice tests.

However, if you want to go for other options, there are several other valuable cloud certifications, including Microsoft Certified Azure Developer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), CCNP Cloud, and CompTIA Cloud+.

More Info: comptia cloud essentials salary

Cybersecurity and a Remote Workforce

Looking at the current and future ideas of how and where we work, it’s evident that much is changing. Being in one physical space with peers isn’t necessary to communicate and collaborate. While remote work got a boost in adoption due to COVID-19, remote work will continue post-pandemic. However, concern still lingers in the minds of businesses — cybersecurity and remote work.
The Transition to a Mobile Workforce

Before the pandemic, remote work was already a popular way to provide a more flexible experience for employees. The growth in remote work was 44 percent in the last five years. That’s significant growth, but many employers had hesitations and concerns. Would a remote team be productive? Would they be able to collaborate? And what about security?

Whatever barriers keeping some companies from offering remote work fell when it became evident, they needed to protect their employees’ health. Although these companies made the shift, they are still catching up and addressing new cybersecurity and remote work challenges. The most worrisome is converting a cybersecurity framework from a central network and retooling it to fit a distributed work model. There are now more endpoints for hackers to penetrate.

More Info: network plus certification salary