CompTIA is a non-profit trade group headquartered near Chicago with over 2,000 member organizations and 3,000 corporate partners. While CompTIA’s primary concentration is on training and certifying IT professionals, the group also engages in philanthropy and public policy advocacy.
CompTIA’s vendor-neutral certification program is well-known throughout the IT sector. CompTIA has given over two million certificates since developing the A+ credential in 1993. Obtaining a Comptia A+ certification is an excellent way to kickstart your IT career.
CompTIA created the CompTIA infrastructure career route in early 2018. Its Comptia A+ course is intended for newbies with no prior knowledge in the field. This new career development program connects CompTIA certifications with IT workers’ actual competencies for managing and maintaining IT infrastructure.
Classification of CompTIA Certification by Skill Level
CompTIA certifications are divided according to their skill set into four categories, including Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Additional Professional certifications.
Core Certifications: CompTIA offers four core certifications that are designed to build on basic core competencies: IT Fundamentals+ (preparatory certificate focused on the IT Fundamentals Framework), Comptia A+ (focused on customer support and device connectivity), CompTIA+ Networking (focused on device base system connections), and CompTIA Security+ (With a prominence on entry-level cybersecurity skills).
Infrastructure Certifications: In addition to the Network+ credentials, there are three infrastructure certificates: CompTIA Server+ (for server maintenance and management issues), CompTIA Cloud+ (for hybrid clouds, virtual system management, and network resource provisioning for storage), and CompTIA Linux+ (focused on administration and administration of Linux operating systems).
Cybersecurity Certifications: CompTIA offers three cybersecurity certifications: CompTIA CySA+ (CompTIA Cyber Security Analyst; focuses on IT security behavioral analysts) and CompTIA PenTest+ are among the certifications available (Penetration testing targets professionals who conduct penetration and vulnerability testing).
Additional Professional Certifications: This category comprises credentials that do not fit well into any of the preceding CompTIA career paths, such as CompTIA Project+, CompTIA CTT+, and CompTIA Cloud Essentials.
CompTIA A+ Certification
The CompTIA A+ certification is considered the “entry-level rite of passage for IT specialists.” This certificate is for individuals interested in working as a help desk, maintenance, service center, or network technician. Software installation, computer configuration, PC and laptop hardware, and mobile operating systems are part of this. The A+ also assesses candidates’ knowledge of core networking, troubleshooting, and security and serves as a stepping stone to CompTIA’s network or security credentials and those required by IT firms.
The A+ certification is held by over one million IT workers, according to CompTIA. The CompTIA A+ certification is necessary for Dell, Intel, and HP service technicians, and the United States Department of Defense recognizes it. On January 15, 2019, CompTIA published new “Core” examinations for the CompTIA A+ certificate. These new exams place a greater emphasis on functional process competency and basic security subjects. Candidates must pass the Core 1 (exam 220-1001) and Core 2 (exam 220-1002) tests. The Core 1 test covers virtualization, cloud computing, mobile devices, hardware, networking technology, and troubleshooting. The Core 2 tests cover installation and configuration of operating systems, software troubleshooting, operational processes, and security.
CompTIA Security+ Certification
CompTIA security+ certification covers network security concepts, threats and vulnerabilities, access control, identity management, cryptography, and more. Although there are no prerequisites, CompTIA recommended that cert candidates have the Network+ credential and a minimum of two years of IT administration experience with a security focus. To acquire the Security+ certification, students must pass the SY0-501 test. In the United States, the CompTIA security+ exam costs $370. A special rate of $207 US dollars is available for those living in low-income “developing market” nations.
Jobs and Occupations Related to CompTIA A+ Certification
The beauty of the CompTIA A+ is that it may benefit everyone, while it is best suited for novices. With the fundamental knowledge gained from this certification, you can extend out into software, hardware, networking technology, and even cybersecurity. With the CompTIA A+ certification, you’ll be ready for many professional paths like:
- The administrator of desktop support
- Associate network engineer
- Technician in the field
- Specialist in computer support
- Analyst for the service desk
- Specialist in system support
- Technician in data support
- End-user computer support
- Help desk technician, among other things
CompTIA Training
CompTIA offers a wide range of CompTIA training and CompTIA courses alternatives, including classroom instruction, study materials, and e-learning. Global Knowledge, Learning Tree International, and other CompTIA Authorized Training Provider Partners (CATPPs) operate worldwide. Depending on the specifics, classroom and online/e-learning courses range in price from $2,000 to $4,000.
CompTIA collaborates with third parties to provide self-study materials for CompTIA A+ training. The CompTIA Approved Quality Content (CAQC) mark is used to identify content that has been vetted. Other products, like audio segments, lesson activities, and other resources, that allow you to study at your speed, are accessible through the CompTIA Marketplace for CompTIA A+ courses.
Conclusion
In short, the CompTIA A+ certification provides a firm foundation and a method to impress potential employers with your hard work and dedication in the IT field. CertMaster, CompTIA’s online exam prep program, is required for all CompTIA A+, Linux+, Network+, Server+, Security+, and IT Fundamentals+ certification candidates. CertMaster assists you in determining which topics you are familiar with and which you need to brush up on, and it recommends training to help you fill in the gaps.