In November last year (2020) CompTIA released a new version of Security+ course. I had a chance to deliver the training recently and I would like to share with you my thoughts.
Before I dive into details it is good to know the prerequisites and its objectives. There are many security trainings out there and before attending it, you should know, which one is for you.
CompTIA Security+ is entry level training in the cybersecurity domain. There are no strict prerequisites but you are encourage to know topics covered in A+ and Network+. You do not need to attend the course or pass the exam, knowledge and experience are more important. Before planning the exam you should review A+ and Network+ exam objectives:
https://www.comptia.org/training/resources/exam-objectives
The updated version has 21 lessons which cover basics, threats, cryptography, risk assessment, identity management, network security appliances, secure network protocols, incident response, digital forensics, physical security, and many more. As you can see there are plenty of different topics, but because it's entry level course, don't expect to become expert after the training. Everyone, who finishes the course, should be aware of the potential threats around them, and you should know how to minimize the risk of being hacked.
What personally I like about this course is the process of changing student's mindsets. They start to realize how easily someone can get access or at least disturb someone's business. After the course they should come back to their work and notice what around them could be improved to make their organization less vulnerable. It can be something from physical security area, processes, or software patching management.
Because the training covers many topics, once you finish it, you will know security domain fundamentals. You can decide, which of the areas are most interesting for you, and you can continue your path to become the expert.
The materials for the previous training versions, depending on the vendor, where not very good and in many cases I had to prepare own slides to cover specific topics. The new presentations and student guide are very good. What also has been improved is the lab environment. The self-grade labs are very good. They allow you to follow step-by-step instruction. There are also more challenging activities, which can test your knowledge. I think everyone who works in IT can benefit from attending the course.
* I'm not being paid for this post. It's just my personal view on the course I have been teaching for a few years.
Yes, obtaining CompTIA Security+ certification can be worthwhile as it is a well-respected certification in the field of cybersecurity and can help individuals advance their careers in this field. It validates an individual's knowledge and skills related to foundational cybersecurity concepts and best practices, which are in high demand by employers. Additionally, holding this certification may be a requirement for certain cybersecurity positions or for working with government contracts.
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