CompTIA Security+ Certification And The Requisites Of Obtaining It

With the increasing threats of security in an organization, the need of professionals with security-related credentials is at a boom. One of the major security credential that is quite prominent these days is CompTIA Security+ certification. Let us know about this credential in detail.

The CompTIA Security+ certification is a vendor-neutral credential that has received worldwide acclamation and holds its own sweet respect in the industries. It validates the competency of an individual with respect to IT Security in some specific topics such as network infrastructure, securing systems, risk management, organizational security and access control etc. fields.

As already mentioned, there is an exponential ascent in the security threats, both in severity and count. And between an information security job and an IT Security personal, lies a skill gap, which is fulfilled with the help of these certifications.

No wonder, this added set of skills acquired with the help of this credential is in high demands these days. Whether you require a high-paying job or eye the promotions in your company, these credentials are always helpful in polishing your skills to outshine the crowd.

What Security+ Certification Requires In You:

While you wish to obtain a CompTIA Security+ Certification, you could be required to possess the following capabilities:

• The ability to explain the functions of various commonly used network devices and technologies with regards to security
• The application and implementation of principles and process for safe network administration
• The implementation and configuration of wireless networks in the securest of manners
• Keeping track of the threats in security of a system and immediately performing the activities relating to mitigation of risk
• The basic understanding of IT Security with respect to its regulations, laws and other applicable policies
• The knowledge to use the environmental controls and explanation of its impact
• Understanding the basic data cryptography and application of cryptographic tools
• The concepts of authorization, authentication and access control
• To epitomize the trio of Data Availability, Confidentiality and Integrity within an organization
• The knowledge of common internet attacks such as malware, viruses, worms, social engineering and wireless attacks etc.

And with the above set of skills, you are also required to pass CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam (SY0-401), which requires a specific training to obtain.

However, if you do not wish to take any kind of training or give the exam, you could opt for the online courses that allow you to pass CompTIA Certifications without taking exam.

These online courses would fulfill your need of CompTIA Security+ Certification with a specific charge in a very less period of time. If you have the necessary knowledge, skills and the required experience and require only a certification to showcase your credibility, these online courses could be highly beneficial for you.

Thus, with the credential in your resume, you could easily opt for a security-related job of your choice and, no doubt, increase your knowledge, growth and pays too. 

Understanding the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Certifications

Popularly known as MCTS, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist certifications are the credentials that validate the proficiency of an IT-related professional with respect to Windows, Visual Studio and Exchange Server etc. The certified individuals are recognized with some definite competencies which include their knowledge to configure, implement, troubleshoot and debug a certain technology. 

MCTS certified professionals could also be differentiated with their deep knowledge and broad understanding with respect to a particular Microsoft technology. Currently, Microsoft offers MCTS certification in 19 distinct fields and candidates could choose from any of these to boost their career. 

Common MCTS Certifications In Demand:

Some of the most common MCTS certifications are as follows:

• MCTS Exchange Server 2010 Certification in Configuration
• MCTS SharePoint 2010 Certification which is available in Configuration and Application Development field
• MCTS SQL Server 2008, which is further categorized into ‘BI Development and Maintenance’, ‘Database Development’ and ‘Implementation and Maintenance’ fields
• MCTS Windows 7, which has ‘Configuration’ and ‘Deployment’ fields
• MCTS Windows Server 2008 Directory Configuration

Which MCTS Certification To Choose:

The MCTS Certifications that you wish to choose could always depend on your field of interest or expertise. If you have any past experience regarding a particular field, you could always go for the certification in the same field to enhance your understanding with the subject matter. 

MCTS Certification may also serve to be a stepping stone when you wish to secure other higher level certifications from Microsoft. All these certifications have a specific set of exams which need to be cleared to earn a credential to your name. 

The exams too, are not easy ones and require a rigorous training of the subject matter, which tests your skills, patience and dedication towards a particular field. 

Generally, the candidates take help of various study guides, university learning courses and Microsoft-approved study courses for preparation of the exam. However, you could always get the certification with some online programs that offer you to pass Microsoft Certifications without taking exams. 

Due to these, you do not require cracking any exam or even taking up any training course to attain your certification. 

Jobs for MCTS Certified Professionals:

Just as the MCTS Certifications tend to be varied in their subject matter, there is a wide scope of jobs for the individuals with these credentials. Some of the prominent jobs that are secured by MCTS-certified professionals are as follows:

• Windows Developer
• Web Developer
• Technical support staff
• Database administrator and developer
• Mobile Application Developer
• Enterprise Software Developer etc.

Benefits of MCTS Certification:

MCTS Certifications have hoards of benefits associated with them. Some of these are as follows:

• The certified individuals attain a better understanding and expertise in the Microsoft technology and products
• The individuals could attain exclusive discounts on various services and products from Microsoft
• They are invited to attend the training sessions, conferences and special events from Microsoft
• The certification is a validation of your career growth and receiving monetary hikes in your job.

Thus, MCTS certifications have certainly paved a better path for the individuals in IT industry.

An Overview To MCTS Windows 7- Configuration Certification

Windows 7 is considered as one of the most powerful operating systems of Microsoft and now you could obtain a configuration certification with regards to Windows 7. Microsoft Certified Windows 7 Configuration Certification is the credential that authenticates the skills and proficiency of an individual with the use of Windows 7. 

The professionals who are MCTS Windows 7 Configuration Certified have their expertise in installing, deploying, configuring, troubleshooting and upgrading the Windows 7 operating system. These professionals also ensure the software and hardware compatibility of the system with respect to the stipulated operating system. 

MCTS Windows 7 Configuration certified individuals can also help in configuration of the security features, mobile computing and networking as demanded by the organization. 

The Capabilities Of A Windows 7 Configuration Certified Individual:  

The professionals that are certified with MCTS Windows 7 Configuration certification are said to possess the following skills in them:

• The professionals are highly efficient in performing clean installation of Windows 7 in a wide array of configurations
• The professionals also possess the knowledge of deploying Windows 7 Operating System in a business environment.
• The professionals are capable of configuring mobile computing with respect to Windows 7.
• The individuals have the knowledge of upgrading the previous version of Windows to Windows 7.
• The certified professionals could also configure the wireless and wired Windows 7 network connectivity.
• The professionals have the knowledge of implementing security protocols in operating system of Windows 7.
• MCTS Windows 7 certified professionals have the capability of configuring access to collective resources in Windows 7.
• The maintenance and monitoring of the system that work on Windows 7 Operating system could be easily done by MCTS certified individuals
• Even the configuration of Windows 7 with respect to its backup and recovery options is also done by such professionals. 

Thus, MCTS Windows 7 certification is a validation that a professional possess almost all the knowledge with regards to installing, deploying and upgrading successfully the Windows 7 operating system. 

MCTS Windows 7 Configuration Exam:

For successfully attaining the MCTS Windows 7 Configuration exam, the candidates are required to pass a single Exam #70-680. And though it appears to be only a single one, it is one of the toughest to crack. 

For the purpose, candidates look forward to many university training courses, online classrooms and self-paced online learning programs that feature Microsoft certificates and technologies. 

However, there are many online programs that offer you to pass Microsoft Certification without taking exam.  With the help of these, you could easily earn a certification for your career boost and that too, without taking any kind of exam, training courses and without investing any effort. 

Thus, with the successfully attainment of this certification, there are wide areas in which the candidates could choose their career. For instance, a MCTS Windows 7 Configuration Certified individual could work as Windows Server Engineer, Senior Windows Engineer, Computer Support Specialist and Technical Support Engineer etc. 

The Essential Project Management Skills That You Ought To Have

When you wish to start your career as a project manager, the very first advice that is offered is to gain a valid IT certification. Among the various available ones, CompTIA Project+ Certification is the most popular and a globally recognized credential. CompTIA Project+ Credential validates the skills and knowledge of an individual in the field of project management. It is also concerned with the ability of an individual for initiating, controlling and supporting the business initiatives or projects.

Moreover, the credential has more to do than being just the possession of IT technicians. In fact, it is for almost any individual who wish to validate his or her project management familiarity.

CompTIA Project+ Certification requires you to pass a specific set of exams, which could be a hard nut to crack. As an alternative, you could choose various online courses that offer you to Pass CompTIA Certification without Taking Exam. 

But when you possess the certification, it is believed that you have a specific set of skills that could be useful for the organization. Some of the skills that CompTIA Project+ certified individuals are said to possess are:

·         Resource management: Resources are the equipments or capital that is required to be allotted to the correct individual or his team at the proper time period. However, above all are the individuals, who serve to be the true resources of an organization. The project manager has the appropriate skills to allocate the right member at the right place and ensuring that they know their role well in the team.

·         Risk management: A project is bound to get ups and downs in its course and this is where the ability of a project manager is put to test. The risk management ability of a project manager could differentiate a good manager from a bad one. Under risky circumstances, the project managers are required to keep their calm and act in the most appropriate direction for the benefit of the project

·         Schedule management: Managing schedules is one of the most imperative tasks that are fulfilled by the project manager. It is highly essential to ensure that a particular task allotted to a person is started and completed by him or her in the stipulated time.

·         Change management: There are all the chances that your project may experience multiple changes in its due course. This may be in regards to the expected delivery time or the changes as demanded by the clients due to any unforeseen conditions.

·         Organization: It is essential for the project manager to keep the information organized so that the progress of the project could be kept checked. Any difference in the actual and anticipated progress could be easily noted by the process.

·         Communication: A project manager requires having good communication with his or her team which is helpful in innumerable ways, such as progress-mapping and activity-scheduling etc.

·         Leadership quality: A good project manager is a good leader, with his skills to identify, nurture and upkeep the exceptional team-spirit within the individuals. 

Cisco CCENT or CompTIA Network+: A Point of Comparison

While one looks for entry-level credentials in the networking field, the global leaders Cisco and CompTIA are equally equipped with credentials that you could choose. Among these, the most prominent ones are Cisco CCENT certification and CompTIA Network + certification. But to choose one among both of these could be a hard judgment to make as both of these have their own recognition, trust and worth within an organization. Moreover, both of these also have an almost equal global recognition that could even make you harder to choose one of them. 

For this utter tough choice for the individuals, let us look at a few points of difference between the two:

CompTIA:

CompTIA is an acronym that denotes Computing Technology Industry Association and it is a trade organization that provides credentials with respect to IT industry. Apart from the Network+ certification, CompTIA has other hoards of credentials to offer. These include Security+ Certification, Project+ Certification, A+ Certification and Cloud Storage Certification etc. 

CompTIA Network+ Certification:

CompTIA Network+ Certification incorporates a broad view of networking but its approach is much lighter than the Cisco certifications. The course that CompTIA Network+ certification encompasses consists of topics such as:

·         Network services and protocols, which include TCP/IP suite and network topologies

·         Types of network media and various topologies

·         The knowledge of networking equipments such as modems, hubs, media converters, switches, routers and firewalls etc.

·         The network management with regards to seven layers of the OSI Model

·         Various kinds of diagnostic and software equipments and their use in identifying and troubleshooting the network issues

·         The understanding of features in security devices, the firewall features, network access security and authentication troubles etc.

With all these concepts to be studied well, CompTIA Network+ Certification is not an easy one to obtain. But with the help of various online programs that allow you to Pass CompTIA Certification withouttaking exam, you could always fulfill your dream of getting a credential without any training. 

Cisco:

Cisco is the California-based organization that designs, manufactures and sells networking equipments. It mainly targets the small businesses, houses and service providers etc. to offer products such as IP phones, Routers, Wireless LAN products and telephone equipments. And CCENT form Cisco is just the basic level certification, while it has more to offer in the form of Cisco CCNA certifications, CCDA Certifications, CCNP Certifications and CCDP Certifications etc. 

Cisco CCENT Certification:

Cisco CCENT certification is the basic level that offers an individual the knowledge about the following concepts:

·         Description of the data network operation

·         Implementation of small switched networks

·         The basic concepts of routing, operation of Cisco Routers and implementation of smaller routed networks

·         Identification of the threats in security of an organization and mitigating these effectively

·         Implementing and validating WAN Links

Which One to Choose:

While the CompTIA Network+ certification has a wider, but less concerned scope directed to its matter, Cisco tends to have an in-depth approach with a smaller scope of the topics it covers. It could basically be the choice of the individual, depending upon how deep they wish to get embedded in the networking world.