Important Information Concerning Your CompTIA Certification

As a follow-up to our announcement in January, CompTIA is updating its certification policy for CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications. Starting Jan. 1, 2011, individuals will need to complete continuing education to maintain certification.

The new policy will only apply to candidates who:

• Certify on or after Jan. 1, 2011
• Certified prior to Jan. 1, 2011 and choose to enroll in the continuing education program

So why did CompTIA change the policy?

Changing the policy brings CompTIA certifications in line with the practices of other major providers of certifications for IT professionals, such as Cisco, Microsoft, Project Management Institute (PMI) and Linux Professionals Institute (LPI).

Additionally, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ are accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a standard-setting institution which approves the procedures used by personnel certification bodies. ISO requires that CompTIA provides candidates a way to renew the currency of their certification on a regular basis. In CompTIA’s case, that renewal will occur every three years from the date the certification is earned.

Read more

Mike Meyers introduces new 2009 CompTIA A+ exams

Check this video out  as– A+ Guru Mike Meyers introduces new 2009 CompTIA A+ exams (220-701, 220-702)

10 Steps To A Quality Cisco Certification

With the rapid growth and expansion in the field of network technology there is increasing demand for skilled network professionals.  Cisco Systems has long been the industry leader in the field of data networking and continues to grow market share in all major technology areas, including those areas of current high demand such as voice, video, and wireless.  Gaining experience with and certifications in Cisco technologies can provide a safe harbor for your career in uncertain economic times such as these.  While many technology professionals are interested in Cisco certifications there is often confusion as to the best path to take and how to achieve a quality certification experience.

Achieving that quality certification experience is the key.  Many of us have been in the industry long enough to hear the term “paper certifications” which refers to a certification gained by an individual with little resulting practical experience and knowledge; the certification is said to be worth as much as the paper it is printed on.  When you make the decision to pursue a Cisco certification you should make the decision to pursue a quality certification, to which you will commit the investment of your time and energy with the goal of gaining the technical skill set and knowledge to make you a leader in the field.  Without the drive and determination to earn the certification you are doing nothing more than memorizing answers and taking tests.  This is how “paper certifications” are born; little effort is put in to learning the technology and little effort is put in to earning the certification.

To aid you in earning a quality Cisco certification I have put together a recommended set of steps that will assist you in making the right decisions along the way.  These steps are designed to build an in-depth knowledge of the network technologies you are studying to pass your certification exams, while allowing you to maintain that knowledge for application in real-world scenarios while on the job.

Read more

What is the CompTIA Security+ Certification?

By Toby Barns

For many Information Technology professionals, moving on up the IT certification ladder includes some form of formal network and computer security training. Although this is often not a full fledged certification path, it is quite essential in today’s Internet connected world. A few of these people decide to actually acquire certifications to formally prove to those who have a vested interest that they have passed difficult tests and earned respected credentials by doing so.

The Security+ exam is an excellent introduction into the world of computer and network security. It is a vendor neutral certification. This means it is not tied to one computer or network brand or platform. Once an individual has earned their A+ and Network+ certifications a next logical step is to explore the CompTIA Security+ certification.

Read more

What is the CompTIA Network+ Certification?

By Toby Barns

So you think routers, switches and TCP/IP protocols are cool? Great! Maybe you should consider becoming CompTIA Network+ certified.

What is Network+ certification? The CompTIA Network+ certification validates that a person has the essential skills necessary to be a vendor neutral networking professional. Vendor neutral actually means that the certification is not tied one specific brand of computer networks.

The certification consists of one challenging exam. It is often the next choice of IT certification after an individual acquires their A+ certification. This is a great way to become familiar with many of the standards that exist in networking, as well as how they apply to protocol stacks and when you should refer to them. Most networking professionals today will use their knowledge of these standards to help them resolve various networking issues which they troubleshoot on a day to day basis.

Read more