Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Network+ Certification and Its Scope

he Network+ certification is mostly a foundational assessment or test. By implication, if you have grasped the concepts of the certification, you can be considered for an IT job (entry-level).

The network+ certification is not such a difficult exam, but it will arouse critical thinking and is attainable. However, to be considered worthy of the certificate, you must score at least 720/900 in the 90-questions test that must be done in 90 minutes.

The network+ certification is accredited by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) while also in compliance with the ISO 17024.

CompTIA Certification Exam Prep: Students take an in-depth look at what is covered in the CompTIA exam and how to study for it.

“We do recommend taking the in-person classes if possible,” Pinckney said. “In IT Fundamentals and our CompTIA A+ courses, there is a lot of hands-on learning, a lot of concepts that you can grasp better if you’re in the classroom, seeing and handling the computer equipment.”

Tri-C also offers online-only courses to prepare for the CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+ certification exams.

“It really is worth it to take the courses and the exam, when you consider the payback certification will give you in terms of your career,” Pinckney said. “Employers throughout the region are always looking for the brightest, most qualified talent, especially in an in-demand area like IT. This opens the door for you to enter into more rigorous programs, like Cleveland Codes or the Cisco Technical Training Institute, which are both offered at Tri-C.
More Info: a+ certified technician

Monday, June 29, 2020

What kind of questions are on the A+ certification test

To be successful in your A+ certification you need to know what kind of question formats you should expect on the A+ certification test. There are two main question types, multiple-choice and interactive questions. The multiple-choice in its turn are of two types multiple choice single answer and multiple choice with multiple answers. The interactive questions come in four different “flavors” (see below) but the, by far, most important is the performance-based questions (PBQ). These are the real hands-on questions where A+ tests your skills rather than just your knowledge.
Multiple choice – multiple answers

These questions require more than one response. On any CompTIA exam, you can recognize this type by the square checkboxes next to each response. Your instructions may say (Choose two) or similar instruction to let you know how many choices are expected. If a question requires two correct answers it will present five choices. If a question requires three correct answers it will present six choices.
For a guided tour and review of CertBlaster 5.0 click here
Performance Based Questions (PBQ)

These are the “crown jewels” of the CompTIA A+ exam! The PBQs have you perform tasks in a simulator. These questions will really test your proficiency. You will be presented with a simulation of a computer, router or other device and asked to resolve a problem. In the simulator, you will take the steps necessary to identify and/or resolve the issue. Here is a PBQ that requires OS interaction. We took the first step in the CertBlaster question. We opened the Administrative Start menu to give you a bit of a feel of what these simulations can look like.
More Info: a+ certified jobs

Friday, June 26, 2020

HOW TO GET COMPTIA SECURITY+ CERTIFIED

Beyond20 offers public Security+ courses in our Washington, DC offices every quarter. These classes are taught by experienced industry experts with advanced certifications in cybersecurity, as well as extensive real-world experience in the IT industry. next Security+ course, and if your organization is interested in onsite training, we also offer the full suite of CompTIA® certifications, from A+ through CASP+.

To take the certification exam, you need to buy a voucher from CompTIA. Buying the voucher gives you the all-important exam voucher number, delivered by e-mail. The voucher is redeemable at a Pearson VUE test center, within 12 months of purchase.

Obviously you should only sign up and purchase the voucher if you are truly ready for the exam. What does that involve?
90 Minutes to Mastery

In information technology (IT), having a CompTIA Security+ certification is definitely an advantage. You earn your certification by demonstrating mastery of the skills and knowledge that, as CompTIA puts it, “covers network security, compliance and operation security, threats and vulnerabilities as well as application, data and host security. Also included are access control, identity management, and cryptography.”

At 90 minutes for 90 test items (multiple choice and performance-based questions), the $311 exam is not to be taken lightly. The performance-based questions (PBQs), for example, use realistic simulations of various software and programming environments. You have to actually perform tasks. The CompTIA website provides as a sample task the quick formatting of a drive in a Windows 8.1 environment.
More Info: comptia certification jobs

Thursday, June 25, 2020

A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications

After completing the A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications you have a decision to make. Do you want to pursue a Cisco path or a Microsoft path? Both paths are proprietary and there isn't much crossover between the two so it will be very difficult if you decide to pursue both at the same time.

In many cases, an employer lets you know what is valuable to the company and this is often the deciding factor. In other cases, people just enjoy working with operating systems more than networking devices or vice versa (by the time you finish the CompTIA certifications you should know your preference). As the old saying goes, ’Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’

Of course there are exceptions and there’s no reason you can’t pursue both paths. If this is your choice, the early Cisco certifications such as the CCENT and CCNA R&S are the logical next step. The CompTIA Network+ lays a good foundation for both. After completing the CCNA R&S you can turn your attention to Microsoft certifications.

After completing the CCNA certification, there are many specialized Cisco certifications network administrators can pursue depending on their goals and interests. Specializations include network security, voice, and wireless topics.
CCNA study time: 3 months, after passing CCENT

More Info: comptia a certified jobs

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

CompTIA Security+ Certification Help You Find a Job

Some of the best and most popular certifications in the IT industry are CompTIA certifications. But what can you do when you are starting out and have just passed the CompTIA Security+ exam? With the Security+ credential, but limited experience in information security, it may seem like you have to get other certifications in order to find a good job. But that isn’t the case. You can find great entry-level security jobs that you qualify for when you have a Security Plus certification.
You may not be excited about an entry-level position. But when you are talking about the IT industry, the entry-level jobs can be a whole lot better than entry-level roles in other industries. Take a look at the following, to see what we mean.
Information Security Analyst

You’ll find Security Analysts in various security-related fields. Whether engineering security systems, working in data security, or in some other security area, analysts are needed. Typically, a security analyst will protect systems by installing firewalls and antivirus programs while also testing and monitoring network security.

This is an entry-level position, but it’s an important foundational job that can be built upon for years to come. This is a good way for individuals who want to do civilian security work to get started.


More Info: a+ certification jobs near me

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

CompTIA Security Certification helps

As almost all mid-size and large companies have huge databases these days, it is very much evident that the security of these data is one of the fastest growing fields within IT. One of the most appropriate certification for security is the CompTIA Security + Certification. It is the certification offered to enable the IT professionals adept in data security to obtain appropriate certification proof according to their skills. This certification is a vendor neutral certification.

The renewal can be carried out in two manners. There are three ways to renew your certification. They are:
Clear a higher-level certification exam.
Complete activities to show new learning, such as attending training courses, participating in industry events, conferences and applying relevant work experience or college courses.
Go for newer version of the certification exam
The necessity to renew the CompTIA Security plus Certification was introduced in 2011. CompTIA Security + Certification holders can participate in the continuous education programs to earn Continuing Education Units and to renew their credentials.
Most of the employers consider hiring professionals who can demonstrate that they are qualified to perform the given tasks. The CompTIA certification you will obtain will serve as an authentic prove, you have the knowledge and skills required to perform the task. This will enhance your value in the eye of the employers.
More Info: what is comptia a+

Monday, June 22, 2020

Best IT certifications for beginners

Just starting out in the IT field? The following are some of the best introductory certifications to help you get your first IT job:
CompTIA certification

CompTIA issues certifications for a variety of technologies and platforms, but one stands above the rest in terms of value to IT pros:
CompTIA A+: Get started in IT with this foundational certificate. It’s all about hardware, technical support and troubleshooting. It also covers best practices in security, networking, operational procedures, mobile devices and various operating systems.
Microsoft technology professional (MTA)

Tech giant Microsoft offers a selection of entry-level certifications covering a range of subjects, including:
Windows operating system fundamentals
Software development fundamentals
Database fundamentals
Windows Server administration fundamentals
Networking fundamentals
Security fundamentals
Introduction to programming in Java/Javascript/HTML and CSS/Python

Each of these topics is a separate MTA. You can acquire multiple MTAs in a range of subjects if that’s what you need to get your career started. There’s no mandatory study or minimum professional experience required. Just take the exam when you feel prepared.
More Info: what jobs can you get with an a+ certification

Friday, June 19, 2020

Network or Systems Administrator Certification

If you opt for a career in network administration, you’ll earn around $82,050 annually, according to BLS. Initial certifications you’ll need include CompTIA Network+, Cisco’s CCNA and Microsoft’s MSCA. As you move up, add vendor-agnostic certifications like CompTIA Linux+, Server+ and Cloud+, as well as vendor-specific certifications from AWS, Google Cloud, IBM, Red Hat and VMWare.

After leaving the hotel industry, David Portner was unemployed for a long time and didn’t have the necessary skill set to compete in an advancing technological climate. He began studying in a tech bootcamp and obtained his first certification, CompTIA Network+.

“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: network plus certification salary

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Ways to Be More Strategic with IT

Over the past few months, IT has been incredibly tactical for many companies. Enabling the shift to remote work and maintaining or adjusting business operations has been a full-time job. As the initial shock has passed, there has been a chance for reflection while also looking forward. What lessons were learned from the crisis? And what actions can help mitigate risk in the future?

One takeaway from the transitions has been that the companies that navigated things well were those that were already prepared beforehand, not necessarily those that built plans the fastest. While no one could have expected a disruption of this magnitude, some companies had been making strides toward a mobile workforce or a cloud-based architecture. Those types of actions may not have addressed immediate problems at the time, but they were built with an eye on the future.

CompTIA’s whitepaper on Using Strategic IT for Competitive Advantage describes the way that IT operations have evolved. IT used to be much more of a tactical support function; now it plays a key role in helping businesses grow and compete. As we continue to rebuild from the shock of the pandemic, here are four pieces to a strategic IT mindset:
Think about the top line vs. the bottom line

For most of the past 50 years, IT has been thought of as a cost center. Companies either tried to keep the same level of tech ability while trimming cost or incrementally build their technology on a flat budget. In a strategic approach, though, the finances are handled differently. Now there are investments being made with the expectation of some kind of return to the business. This means that IT pros need to build the skill of calculating ROI. Rather than saying “We need to spend this money or the system might fail,” they need to say “spending this money will lead to improved metrics.” This takes an understanding of how the investment is connected to the metrics and also understanding which metrics are most important to business units.
More Info: what jobs can i get with comptia a+

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

IT Support Certifications Are the Beginning of the Tech Career

IT support certifications are some of the most versatile certifications available. They are a great starting point for those who want to begin a career in IT but need foundational knowledge on a variety of IT disciplines. An IT support certification will help you thrive in any tech support role, whether it is help desk, networking or cybersecurity.
CompTIA A+ prepares candidates to install, configure and maintain personal computers, mobile devices, printers and laptops, as well as perform basic networking and PC troubleshooting skills that IT employers are looking for.

Robert Half Technology listed CompTIA A+ among its most valuable IT certifications for 2020 and named it one of the best IT certifications for beginners.

Hubspot also recommended CompTIA A+ to those interested in breaking into the tech industry, stressing that it imparts the capabilities necessary for starting a career in IT. It noted that the certification teaches best practices for keeping sensitive data secure, which can make an IT job candidate much more competitive.

Other IT support certifications mentioned in these articles include ITIL Foundation, Apple Certified Mac Technician (ACMT), CompTIA Network+, HDI-CSR and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA).
More Info: what kind of jobs can you get with comptia a+ certification

Monday, June 15, 2020

CompTIA Certifications | The Foundation

Many people begin their IT certification path with CompTIA certifications. CompTIA has been in existence for more than 30 years and has certified hundreds of thousands of people in a range of essential disciplines. CompTIA’s core credentials are A+, Network+ and Security+; this trio of certifications represent a globally recognized foundation of IT knowledge.
A+

The CompTIA A+ certification is considered a starting point by many people in the IT field, as it demands no prerequisites, and introduces candidates to a range of fundamental hardware and software disciplines, including PC repair, software and operating systems, desktop support, networking and cyber security. The A+ curriculum even covers basic interpersonal communication skills - a key attribute for enduring success the IT workforce.
A+ study time: 90 days
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
Security+

CompTIA's Security+ is an entry-level security certification that is considered the minimum amount of security knowledge required by network administrators. For example, the U.S. Department of Defense requires administrators to be at least Security+ certified before they are granted administrative rights on a DoD network. Security+ certification validates your skills in topics like network security, threat assessment, cryptography and cyber incident response.
More Info: jobs with comptia a+

Friday, June 12, 2020

CompTIA Network+ Troubleshooting & Tools

In this, you will learn about the network troubleshooting methodology and the required tools to support connectivity and performance.

Now, let’s talk about the top job roles that you can get through CompTIA Network+ certification.

A network administrator supports the company’s internal servers. The tasks are done in the following ways:
Firstly, installing and maintaining the network and hardware systems
Secondly, diagnosing and repairing connectivity issues.
Moreover, monitoring the network to maintain speed and availability.
Lastly, managing backup systems for the network.

Eligibility Requirement
Most of the network administrators have an undergrad or graduate degree in filed like computer science, network administration, and systems engineering. However, for entry-level networking positions, a degree is not required. But, for higher positions, a degree, as well as certifications is required.
Moreover, getting CompTIA Network+ certified will increase your skills to become a network administrator.

Network engineers or network architects build and design communication networks that include local area networks, wide area networks, and intranets. Moreover, a network engineer is responsible for performing a task that includes,
Firstly, designing, deploying, managing and troubleshooting the networks.
Secondly, analyzing network traffic and predicting growth to determine future requirements.
Moreover, explaining how to meet the needs of the organization with understanding the concepts of cybersecurity.
Lastly, staying up to date with the latest technologies for determining the best options for the organization.
More Info: comptia a+ technician

Thursday, June 11, 2020

CompTIA’s Performance-Based Questions

Everyone studies differently. Maybe you need to write things down or use flashcards. Maybe you need silence. Maybe reading voraciously helps you retain knowledge or maybe you need to explain the concepts to someone out loud. It’s more of an art form than an exact science.

Figuring out what works best for you is the best exam trick when you have to do a ton of studying. This article gives you an idea of some of the best ways to study while this quiz can tell you if you’re an auditory, visual, or kinetic learner. It can make all the difference when you’re on your tenth hour of studying.

This is especially important for the CompTIA A+ exam and the Network+ exam. The CompTIA A+ 901 exam covers hardware while 902 covers software. While it might sound daunting, building an actual computer is a great way to prepare. It will be essential in understanding not just the theory, but the actual practice. The same goes for the Network+ exam. There’s no better way to understand networks than to actually set one up yourself.

It comes down to this: It’s easier to remember which port is which if you just finished interacting with them in real life. If this just isn’t possible, finding a virtual lab is the next best thing. Our CompTIA A+ course includes hands-on experience with building computers, a great component of any I.T. education. As for our online classes, we provide a virtual environment for students to get the experience they need.

CompTIA provides practice questions for almost every exam including A+, Network+, Security+, and more. (Scroll down to see the form where you can request a CompTIA practice test, objectives, and more.) In addition to giving you an idea of how ready you are overall, you can hyper focus on the areas you’re having problems with.

When you’re reviewing your answers, figure out what you keep getting wrong and then redouble your study efforts in those areas.
More Info: comptia a+ certification benefits

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

CompTIA A+ Certification for your team of IT Professionals

CompTIA A+ certification itself works as a symbol of expertise for your IT professionals. But this symbol comes with in-depth knowledge and skills of the IT sector. After getting certified, your IT professionals will able to:
Support basic IT infrastructure, advanced device connectivity troubleshooting, endpoint management, and basic networking.
Support and configure mobile, PC and other IoT devices. This includes component, peripherals, and connectors.
Basic security skills that include addressing privacy concern, detecting and removing malware, etc.

All these skills will help your organization in the effective installation and configuration of hardware, operation systems, etc. It will be vital for the smooth workflow of your organization in the long run.
Remember your multiple-choice test skills

I’m going to assume you know all the classic multiple-choice test-taking strategies – so use them! The CompTIA A+ exam interface has all the hallmarks of a good exam (marking questions for later, question review, clear timers), so it’s easy to fall back on your multiple-choice skills.

Plus, it seems to me that the A+ exams are particularly susceptible to good strategies. For example, wrong answers on one question are often the correct answers on another.
More Info: comptia server+ salary

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

CompTIA A+ objectives

Having a thorough knowledge of the CompTIA A+ objectives will help you acquire that confidence to prove that you are competent enough as a professional. As a reward, this unlocks the door to a lot more opportunities for you, which you can look forward to great. Passing the exam means that there are great things in store for you. But of course, you should be able to deliver your task efficiently and appropriately. That is why polish your confidence as early as now so that you are more than ready to conquer more significant career heights.
4. Higher Salary Compensation

CompTIA certifications are beneficial in providing you the basic skills and understanding associated with software and its relevent features. Some of the recognized organizations that hire CompTIA A+ certified professionals are Intel, Nissan, Ricoh, Dell, and HP. Your average salary can extend from $ 45,000- $ 60,000, based on your job role. May it be a field service technician, support technician, desktop analyst, or help desk tier to support. This is already sufficiently great for a beginning salary in your career.
5. Better Career Opportunities

As a starting point in your career, earning a CompTIA A+ certification will help you have acquainted choices. You will have a framework to which path to follow in developing your career. It is a great advantage since you will have a more comprehensive network of connections once you pass these exams.

Conclusion

To be able to pass the exam and receive the benefits out of it, you should get prepared consistently for the exam. Get a hold of the exams overview and all the other study resources. Concentrate on your objectives and the advantages you will receive once you become a certified CompTIA A+ IT professional. Always consider to study smart and stay continued. Be a CompTIA A+ certified IT professional and start building a great career!
More Info: what can you do with an a+ certification

Monday, June 8, 2020

Tips to Pass CompTIA A+ Exam

The method of learning and eventually passing the exam shouldn’t be daunting. To help you out, we have listed some tips, especially for the applicants who are about to opt for the exam to become CompTIA A+ certified. If you follow these tips, we are sure that passing the exams will become easy for you. Continue reading to figure out the best tips to pass CompTIA A+ exams, both 220-1001 and 220-1002, in the first try.
1. Underastand Exam Objectives

You will be surprised by the number of individuals who appear for the CompTIA A+ 1001 and 1002 Exam without understanding the exam objectives. You can obtain these objectives on CompTIA official website. They are easy to understand, and every skill is noted to learn and pass the exams. Not particularly do these look what can be found on the exam, they are extraordinary windows into the universe of CompTIA A+ exams. The exams are updated usually at regular intervals and constantly drop old heritage things from the required information as look ahead toward new Tech. A common sign you can finish the exam is the point at which you observe specific you can do every one of the objectives covered by CompTIA.
2. Get a Study Guide

Another thing that you should do while studying yourself for the CompTIA A+ exam is to obtain the relevant study guides. The study guides and other e-books can be downloaded from the official website and can be purchased from the book shops.
More Info: jobs for a+ certification

Friday, June 5, 2020

differences between working on-premises vs. cloud

Making the transition from working an on-premises data center to the cloud was really fascinating for me. Working in the cloud environment is different from a regular data center because you can manage most of what you need to do from the console.

If I need to change dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) settings or modify subnets or access control lists (ACLs), it can all be done within the web interface or through the command line. In my previous positions, I’d have to pull up the management console for the specific services. I never did much with ACLs on network devices or routing before, but within a cloud environment, you get to learn all the facets in one spot.

Another large difference between on-premises data centers versus the cloud is that the cloud emphasizes infrastructure as code. Within the Amazon cloud, you can deploy cloud formation templates and essentially deploy your environment with YAML files. This makes it super easy to re-deploy things like a test environment, which usually skews from production, and can keep the configurations very close.

There are also slightly different security concerns in a cloud versus a standard data center. A lot of controls can be inherited from the cloud provider, and there are a handful of differences that make the older compliance rules not applicable.

The cloud provider also gets their services certified for use for specific compliance purposes. For example, Amazon has a list of services and what compliance they fall under: Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Payment Card Industry (PCI), Service Organization Control (SOC) and more.
More Info: comptia server+ salary

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Skepticism About Emerging Technology Is Not New

But with blockchain as well as self-driving cars, it doesn’t help that these technologies are often seen threatening to replace workers. It’s pretty easy to find people getting snarky about the technology.

I can’t help but think of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and how its early versions were easily hackable, leaving millions in a cybersecurity lurch. That’s why Transport Layer Security (TLS) was developed as an SSL replacement. Heartbleed (2012) and Shellshock (2014) were a nice one-two punch to SSL/TLS, open source and Linux. Yet we’re using all of these things today more than ever, though in updated form. Linux continues its domination of the web and the cloud. Companies including Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle and IBM continue to use it as a foundational technology. TLS is a bedrock technology used in hundreds of millions of web browsers, virtual private networks (VPNs) and network connections.

I can’t help but think of other former emerging technologies. Secure Shell (SSH), for example, has endured many fatal flaws that allowed attackers to trivially “own” unpatched SSH servers. Did this kill SSH? If so, someone should let Microsoft know – they’ve (finally) adopted SSH as the de facto way to remotely manage servers.

My point? No one seriously suggested dumping SSL just because its implementation ran into a fatal flaw or two. The fundamental premise was valid and secure. It was just time to regroup, fix a few things and move on.

In spite of setbacks that any emerging technology will have, blockchain continues to make its expected impact. Gartner continues to see blockchain as a major trend for 2019 and beyond. MIT Review feels that blockchain will become normalized in 2019 (I would have written rationalized). Organizations such as Walmart, Tesco and Amazon are using it for smart contacts and supply chain.
More Info: what can you do with an a+ certification

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Why You Should Consider IT

At lunch on Tuesday, CompTIA EVP Nancy Hammervik will review key strategies and goals for CompTIA in 2019, and on Wednesday our research team will provide guidance and insight to help grow your business and guide your community or council in 2019 with the latest industry trends from our State of the Industry Report. Further, workshops and focus sessions throughout the event will keep you up to speed on hot topics like the tech skills gap, XaaS and more.

There is a never-ending list of why you should consider a career in IT, but here are the highlights.
There are plenty of jobs. During the fourth quarter of 2017, U.S. employers posted more than 520,000 IT jobs, according to Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights.
You won’t be bored. Technology is ever-changing – you won’t feel complacent, in fact you will feel challenged and will constantly be learning.
You will have a work–life balance. Many IT careers are structured on a standard work week with benefits, paid time off and potential flexibility to work from home. A good work–life balance will make you a happier and healthier individual and make your job more enjoyable, too!
You get to help people. Helping people gives you satisfaction. It’s so rewarding to be seen as the go-to person to help others and solve problems.
Additionally, CompTIA’s Chief Technology Evangelist James Stanger will provide a pragmatic look at the future gap – the space between what emerging tech is possible and what’s adopted in businesses. Working with a panel of experts, we’ll provide concrete steps on how we can take technology that is tantalizingly close to revolutionizing business – AI, blockchain and XR to name a few – from the bleeding edge to the boardroom.
More Info: jobs for a+ certification

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

The Latest Research on IT Trends and the Workforce

CompTIA’s research team keeps its finger on the pulse of what’s happening in IT – everything from emerging technology to employment trends. Each month, the research team releases employment reports showing the state of the IT workforce. The annual IT Industry Outlook presents industry trends and paints a picture of the IT workforce. Other topics to be covered this year include the internet of things (IoT), the value of certifications, blockchain and more.

Every year, CompTIA hosts a number of events, and 2019 is no different. Next week, technology executives, business owners, tech councils and policymakers from across the United States will gather in Washington, D.C., for the annual CompTIA DC Fly-In. And this summer, IT pros and instructors can connect with others in the industry and learn about the latest tech trends and innovations at ChannelCon and the CompTIA Partner Summit in Las Vegas.

CompTIA at Industry Events

If you’re attending IT conferences, keep an eye out for CompTIA. In the past, we’ve been to events like SpiceWorld, the Service Desk and IT Support Show, HDI and more. March 4 to 8, we’ll have a booth at RSA, and CompTIA Chief Technology Evangelist James Stanger will be co-presenting with Tim Crothers, vice president of cybersecurity at Target.

But Black History Month is also a reminder that diversity and inclusion initiatives are not simply one-time efforts that magically wipe away long-time challenges. The contributions and accomplishments that African Americans made and continue to make have been in the face of systemic, structural and institutional barriers. It follows that diversity and inclusion initiatives in tech must take on a systemic view and increase their focus on equity.
More Info: a+ certification job opportunities

Monday, June 1, 2020

Identity Stories for IT Pros

IT pros know that part of today’s cybersecurity toolkit is understanding people and how they interact with – and through – technology. Science fiction is another tool to gain more insight into other ways of thinking about identity today and tomorrow. Fortunately, the last decade of identity-focused science fiction is more accessible and inclusive than ever before.

So, for IT pros in a variety of job roles, others working in the tech sector and aspiring professionals, the following novels and novellas are just a few of the many about identity – and each book includes at least one adventure and some chaos. This list includes books with more hope than is typical in dystopian fiction, and the tone of these echoes the 1969 Philip K. Dick novel Ubik, so happy reading (or listening, if you prefer audiobooks).
A Security Nightmare with a Smile You’ll Forget

The Sudden Appearance of Hope (2016) by Claire North

Claire North is a pen name for Catherine Webb, a lifelong Londoner who published as a teenager under her own name. Now in her thirties, she’s continued writing (and winning awards) while also working as a technical lighting designer.

Many popular physical security protocols could be broken by someone who no one can remember. Hope is that someone. Her own identity has become fluid. She slides through new names and personas using familiar technology (such as the Tor browser) and social engineering techniques. Hope just might be a cybersecurity nightmare with a smile that can’t be remembered, unless you stare at a photo.

In The Sudden Appearance of Hope, she’s living in a near-future where an app called Perfection is what “just everyone” is using. Adding to the realism and pacing, Hope functions under stress by listing facts, counting and imagining disappearing into her surroundings. Whether she’s just an international jewel thief with bad language and worse behavior, or she’s an avenger, the story is Hope’s.