6 Most In-Demand CompTIA Certifications to Pursue in 2021

What is CompTIA?

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has been around for nearly four decades, founded in 1982. CompTIA is a non-profit organization offering a wide range of hottest information technology (IT) certifications.

CompTIA aims to build a capable workforce and a reliable work ethic for the IT field. 

CompTIA certification program is recognized and widely accepted, catering to professionals, beginners, and everybody in between.

CompTIA, on the flip side of the coin, also offers education-specific IT niches, including networking, system security, and hardware support. 

Over the years, CompTIA has gained immense popularity and awarded over 2.5 million certifications. CompTIA has a variety of vendor-neutral IT certifications within the following specialization areas:

Is the CompTIA A+ Certification worth it?

CompTIA certifications are not just certifications but a sign of pride. One of the appealing features of CompTIA credentials is that they are widely accepted and recognized. Employers all around the globe pay extra heed to certified CompTIA professionals when it comes to domain knowledge. CompTIA certifications are also considered the toughest exams, making certified CompTIA professionals stand apart from the crowd. It requires a lot of hard work and commitment to hold a badge of CompTIA qualified experts. Be it an entry-level certification exam or a higher-level certification exam, CompTIA offers a significant amount of value required to handle organizational operations. Candidates who wish to start their career in IT can catch up with the Core-Series CompTIA certifications, or experienced IT professionals can go with the niche-specific certifications, such as cloud and security. Undoubtedly, CompTIA certifications prepare you well in terms of your career, making you a knowledgeable and skilled IT professional.

The 6 Best CompTIA Certifications

As discussed above, CompTIA offers five categories: Core, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, Data Analytics, and Additional Professional. To begin your career in IT, if you are seeking out the best CompTIA certifications, here we have listed the six most in-demand CompTIA certifications.

1. CompTIA A+

CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level vendor-neutral credential, ideal for entry-level IT jobs. CompTIA A+ professionals not only learned PC repairing skills but needed skills to troubleshoot a wider range of issues from networking and operating systems to mobile security and devices. CompTIA A+ certification exam focuses on a massive diversity of knowledge and skills necessary to deal with today’s modern devices and security.

CompTIA A+ consists of two exams, Core (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102), covering a wide range of IT and management topics, such as:     ⦁ Fundamental IT infrastructure and networking support ⦁ Best practices for change management, documentation, and scripting ⦁ Client-based and cloud-based software administration ⦁ Fundamental security skills for IT support ⦁ Implementing basic data backup and recovery methods ⦁ Multi-device configuration and setup ⦁ Operating system configuration for a wide range of devices ⦁ Troubleshooting, resolving core IT service and support issues

Skills you will learn

⦁ operating systems ⦁ software troubleshooting ⦁ networking ⦁ troubleshooting ⦁ security ⦁ mobile devices ⦁ virtualization & cloud computing ⦁ operational procedures ⦁ Hardware

Job opportunities with CompTIA A+

⦁ Associate Network Engineers ⦁ Data Support Technicians ⦁ Desktop Support Administrators ⦁ End-User Computing Technicians ⦁ Field Service Technicians ⦁ Help Desk Technicians ⦁ Service Desk Analysts ⦁ System Support Specialists ⦁ Technical Support Specialists

CompTIA A+ exam details

CompTIA A+ exam domains

CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral certification exam validating troubleshooting and computer networking skills. To pass the CompTIA A+ certification exam, you need to take two exams, Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102).

CompTIA A+ certification exam (220-1101)

Domain 1.0 – Mobile Devices (15%)  Domain 2.0 – Networking (20%)  Domain 3.0 – Hardware (25%)  Domain 4.0 – Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)  Domain 5.0 – Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (29%) 

CompTIA A+ certification exam (220-1102)

  Domain 1.0 – Operating Systems (31%)  Domain 2.0 – Security (25%)  Domain 3.0 – Software Troubleshooting (22%)  Domain 4.0 – Operational Procedures (22%) 

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ credential is a well-known and widely accepted entry-level network security certification. CompTIA Security+ certification exam focuses on improving security-related skills and knowledge, validating candidates’ ability to manage the core security features. The exam also provides real-world experience to tackle security issues in organizations. Since the Security+ exam meets the DoD 8570 requirements, the CompTIA Security+ exam is preferred by a significant number of IT professionals, companies, and defense departments. 

Certification Type: Core Experience Level: Entry

A certified CompTIA Security+ professional will have the following skills: ⦁ Detect various types of compromise and understand penetration testing and vulnerability scanning concepts ⦁ Install, configure, and deploy network components while assessing and troubleshooting issues to support organizational security ⦁ Implement secure network architecture concepts and systems design ⦁ Install and configure identity and access services, as well as management controls ⦁ Implement and summarize risk management best practices and the business impact ⦁ Install and configure wireless security settings and implement public key infrastructure

Skills you will learn

⦁ Attacks, Threats and Vulnerabilities ⦁ Architecture and Design ⦁ Implementation ⦁ Operations and Incident Response ⦁ Governance, Risk and Compliance

Job opportunities with CompTIA Security+

⦁ Security Administrator ⦁ Systems Administrator ⦁ Helpdesk Manager / Analyst ⦁ Network / Cloud Engineer ⦁ Security Engineer / Analyst ⦁ DevOps / Software Developer ⦁ IT Auditors ⦁ IT Project Manager  

CompTIA Security+ exam details

CompTIA Security+ exam domains

Domain - 1.0 Attacks, Threats, and Vulnerabilities 24% Domain - 2.0 Architecture and Design 21% Domain - 3.0 Implementation 25% Domain - 4.0 Operations and Incident Response 16% Domain - 5.0 Governance, Risk, and Compliance 14%

3. CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is an industry-standard entry-level IT certification focusing on troubleshooting and managing computer network skills. CompTIA Network+ certification prepares IT professionals to support networks on any platform. 

In addition, CompTIA Network+ is the only certification in the Core-Series that covers the exclusive skills that network professionals require. The CompTIA Network+ certification is a Department of Defense approved 8570 IAT level 1 certification. 

Certification Type: Core Experience Level: Entry

When it comes to taking the CompTIA Network+ certification exam, CompTIA ensures that the IT professionals have the following abilities:

⦁ Design and implement functional networks ⦁  Configure, manage and maintain essential network devices ⦁ Use devices such as switches and routers to segment network traffic and create resilient networks ⦁  Identify benefits and drawbacks of existing network configurations ⦁ Implement network security, standards, and protocols ⦁ Troubleshoot network problems ⦁ Support the creation of virtualized networks

Skills you will learn

⦁ Networking Fundamentals ⦁ Network Security ⦁ Network Implementations ⦁ Network Troubleshooting ⦁ Network Operations

Job opportunities with Network+

⦁ Network administrator ⦁ Network field technician ⦁ Junior network administrator ⦁ IT consultant ⦁ Network field engineer ⦁ Computer technician ⦁ Help desk technician ⦁ System engineer ⦁ Network support specialist ⦁ Network analyst

CompTIA Network+ exam details

CompTIA Network+ exam domains

The CompTIA Network+ exam covers the following domains and topics: Domain - 1.0 Networking Concepts 23%  Domain - 2.0 Infrastructure 18% Domain - 3.0 Network Operations 17% Domain - 4.0 Network Security 20% Domain - 5.0 Network Troubleshooting and Tools 22%

4. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is an advanced-level cybersecurity certification for security architects and senior security engineers, validating risk and compliance skills and appraising an enterprise’s cybersecurity readiness. The CASP+ certification is approved by the U.S. DoD, meets the directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements, and complies with ISO 17024 standards. As a certified CASP+ professional, you must implement your technical skills and critical thinking to propose and apply the appropriate security solutions, including organizations’ operational strategies, evaluate risk impacts and respond to security incidents.        Certification Type: Cybersecurity Experience Level: Advanced

Successful CASP+ certified professionals will have the following knowledge: ⦁ Architect, engineer, integrate, and implement secure solutions across complex environments to support a resilient enterprise ⦁ Use monitoring, detection, incident response, and automation to proactively support ongoing security operations in an enterprise environment ⦁ Apply security practices to cloud, on-premises, endpoint, and mobile infrastructure, while considering cryptographic technologies and techniques ⦁ Consider the impact of governance, risk, and compliance requirements throughout the enterprise

Skills you will learn

⦁ Security Architecture ⦁ Governance, Risk, and Compliance ⦁ Security Operations ⦁ Security Engineering and Cryptography

Job opportunities with CASP+

⦁ Security Architect ⦁ Senior Security Engineer ⦁ SOC Manager ⦁ Security Analyst    

CompTIA CASP+ exam details

CompTIA CASP+ exam domains

Domain - 1.0 Security Architecture 29% Domain - 2.0 Security Operations 30% Domain - 3.0 Security Engineering and Cryptography 26% Domain - 4.0 Governance, Risk, and Compliance 15%

5. CompTIA Server+ 

CompTIA Server+ is one of the well-known information technology credentials required for server-related job roles in organizations. CompTIA Server+ is a globally recognized certification exam, validating skills such as installing, managing and troubleshooting in data centers, on-premises, and hybrid environments. Server+ is the only IT certification that prepares IT professionals, to work in any environment, making it not limited to a single platform. The CompTIA Server+ certification exam covers the hardware and software technologies required for on-premises and hybrid server environments, including high availability, cloud computing, and scripting.

A successful CompTIA Server+ professional will have the following knowledge:

⦁ Install, configure, and manage server hardware and server operating systems ⦁ Implement appropriate server hardening and security controls ⦁ Successfully troubleshoot common server problems ⦁ Establish an understanding of key disaster recovery, high availability, and backup concepts

Certification Type: Infrastructure Experience Level: Intermediate

Skills you will learn

⦁ Server Hardware Installation & Management ⦁ Server Administration ⦁ Security & Disaster Recovery ⦁ Troubleshooting

Job opportunities with Server+

⦁ Systems Administrator ⦁ Data Center Technician ⦁ Server Administrator ⦁ Network Administrator ⦁ Field Service Technician or Engineer ⦁ IT Technician ⦁ Data Center Engineer  

CompTIA Server+ exam details

CompTIA Server+ exam domains

Domain - 1.0 Server Hardware Installation and Management 18% Domain - 2.0 Server Administration 30% Domain - 3.0 Security and Disaster Recovery 24% Domain - 4.0 Troubleshooting 28%

6. CompTIA PenTest+

CompTIA PenTest+ is an entry-level penetration testing certification designed for cybersecurity professionals responsible for penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and management.   CompTIA PenTest+ is one of the excellent cybersecurity penetration testing certifications, focusing on offensive skills through pen testing and vulnerability assessment.   A successful certified CompTIA PenTest+ cybersecurity professional will have the following knowledge and skills: 

⦁ Plan and scope a penetration testing engagement  ⦁ Understand legal and compliance requirements  ⦁ Perform vulnerability scanning and penetration testing using appropriate tools and techniques, and then analyze the results  ⦁ Produce a written report containing proposed remediation techniques, effectively communicate results to the management team, and provide practical recommendations 

Certification Type: Cybersecurity Experience Level: Intermediate

Skills you will learn

    ⦁ Planning and Scoping ⦁ Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning ⦁ Attacks and Exploits ⦁ Reporting and Communication ⦁ Tools and Code Analysis

Job opportunities with PenTest+

⦁ Penetration Tester ⦁ Security Consultant ⦁ Cloud Penetration Tester ⦁ Web App Penetration Tester ⦁ Cloud Security Specialist ⦁ Network & Security Specialist

CompTIA Server+ exam details

CompTIA PenTest+ exam domains

Domain - 1.0 Planning and Scoping 14% Domain - 2.0 Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning 22% Domain - 3.0 Attacks and Exploits 30% Domain - 4.0 Reporting and Communication 18% Domain - 5.0 Tools and Code Analysis 16%

The final words

CompTIA certifications can add a lot of value and help you initiate or advance your career in the information technology field. You can go with any one of them or 2-3 certifications to build and brush up your knowledge and skills required in IT.

If you wish to take the plunge and stay up to date with the latest It development, it’s worth going with a CompTIA certification. To know more about the proxy examination and our exam pattern, give us a call or leave a message.