Are IT certifications a good investment? Earning like CompTIA is beneficial for your career, regardless of your experience level.
Just graduating or having years of experience in the IT industry, the program helps you advance in your career path.
The credentials are valuable because they can help you qualify for multiple jobs. These jobs offer great career advancement and job security. IT skills enable you to work anywhere in the world. On top of that, IT jobs typically offer higher salaries than average, allowing you to make more money.
This article covers CompTIA options. We will explore why it is beneficial to get certified and which one is right for you. To understand where you are now and where you want to be in your career path, begin with the IT Certification Roadmap
What is CompTIA?
CompTIA is a prominent technology association that represents the voice of the global IT industry. It is a non-profit trade association that offers programs developed in collaboration with its community of IT professionals.
The main aim of CompTIA is to help IT professionals explore the possibilities of a rewarding career in the IT industry. For more than two decades, it has been the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications. It covers a wide range of skills from IT support to networking and cybersecurity.
CompTIA has certified more than 2 million IT professionals globally. The exams are tailored to match the current IT job roles. For instance, CompTIA A+ provides the foundation for pursuing specialized career paths in IT infrastructure or cybersecurity.
Why you should be CompTIA certified?
When you are certified, it proves to your employers that an independent organization has verified your skills and knowledge. This increases your opportunity of getting hired.
The knowledge you gain from your IT training can help you succeed not just during the job application process, but also throughout your career. It’s essential to be good at what you do!
By taking the initiative to earn recognition, you demonstrate that you are proactive and dedicated, which are qualities that employers value in their employees.
This is an excellent way to differentiate yourself from other job applicants.
Which one is the best for you?
CompTIA provides different types of certifications to people around the world and is categorized into four areas. They are:
- Core
- Infrastructure
- Cybersecurity
- Additional Professional
Let’s take a look at them and select any of the following that match your needs.
Core
IT Fundamentals+
CompTIA IT Fundamentals is an introduction to basic IT knowledge and skills that help you to decide if a career in IT is right for you. It also helps organizations to prepare non-technical teams to begin more engagement in digital.
A+
This is an entry-level and the individuals who hold the CompTIA A+ are proven problem-solvers. They provide assistance for essential technology areas, including security, cloud computing, data processing, and more.
The CompTIA A+ certification is the standard requirement for starting a career in IT in the current digital era.
Network+
CompTIA Network+ focuses on new and developing networking technologies and offers comprehensive coverage of various areas. It helps network professionals work together with security experts.
It offers guidance on the best approaches to cloud computing and traditional service models. It also includes information about new hardware and virtualization techniques.
Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an international recognition that confirms the essential skills required to perform key security tasks and establish a career in information security.
Infrastructure
Cloud+
CompTIA Cloud+ focuses on utilizing and managing cloud technology as a part of a larger device framework. Candidates are expected to be proficient in multiple sectors and be able to develop strategies that cater to specific business requirements.
Linux+
CompTIA Linux+ certifies IT experts who have dealt with Linux servers and have experience setting up, overseeing, and maintaining them.
Server+
CompTIA Server+ is not tied to any particular vendor and deals with significant server platforms. Candidates who earn this certification can work in any environment. It covers virtualization, network-attached storage, and security, making it unique.
Cybersecurity
CySA+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) is an IT industry certification that utilizes behavioral analytics to prevent, identify, and combat cybersecurity threats through ongoing security monitoring of networks and devices.
CASP+
CASP+ is the only cybersecurity certificate that focuses on practical and performance-based skills for advanced professionals. Those who hold this certification will learn how to implement solutions within policies and frameworks.
PenTest+
If you pass the CompTIA PenTest+ exam, you have the knowledge and skills to plan and define an evaluation, understand the requirements for security and regulations, perform vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, analyze information, and report effectively.
Additional Professional
Project+
CompTIA Project+ is designed for business professionals who manage small-to-medium-sized projects, regardless of whether they work in IT or not. The certification exam assesses your ability to handle the different stages of a project, communicate effectively, manage resources and stakeholders, and maintain project documents.
CTT+
The CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) is for teachers who want to show that they have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of teaching. CTT+ confirms that teachers have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach in modern classrooms, using the tools and techniques required for successful instruction.
Cloud Essentials
The CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ confirms that the individual has the necessary knowledge and abilities to make informed decisions about cloud technologies and their impact on business. They are capable of evaluating business cases, financial implications, cloud technologies, and deployment models with a good understanding of cloud computing.
Related jobs and careers
CompTIA groups its certifications into several career paths. They are:
- Information security
- Network and cloud technologies
- Hardware, services, and infrastructure
- IT management and strategy
- Web and mobile
- Software development
- Training
Learning resources
The are many options for you to learn and prepare for the examination. Either through face-to-face methods or online; virtual live or pre-recorded sessions. Skillet is one of the Authorised Partners in Malaysia offering full HRDC claimable courses. Currently, the top three popular courses are CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+
