1. The importance of cybersecurity skills in organizations
Technology is creating an entirely different world, introducing new concepts and skills every single day. If you take a look around, you will notice that cyberattacks are on the rise.
And cybercriminals often test the strength and knowledge of a cybersecurity professional working in an organization. Would you manage to hear that the number of cyberattacks is rapidly increasing?
The PWC survey report says that 48% of companies do not care about information security policy; in fact, they do not have it yet. With the increasing importance of cybersecurity, well-versed and experienced cybersecurity professionals are in high demand.
2. Things you need to know about CompTIA Pentest+
2.1. What is the CompTIA Pentest+ certification?
CompTIA Pentest+ is an intermediate-skills level cybersecurity certification, focussing on offensive skills through pen testing and vulnerability assessment. Pentest+ exam assesses the updated penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and management skills to manage the cyberattacks against the network.
The CompTIA Pentest+ certification meets the directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements and is compliant with ISO 17024 standards.
2.2. Skills you will learn with CompTIA Pentest+
With CompTIA Pentest+ certification, you will learn the following skills:
- Plan and scope penetration tests
- Conduct passive reconnaissance
- Perform non-technical tests to gather information
- Conduct active reconnaissance
- Analyze vulnerabilities
- Penetrate networks
- Exploit host-based vulnerabilities
- Test applications
- Complete post-exploit tasks
- Analyze and report penetration test results
2.3. Exam domain and topics
The CompTIA Pentest+ is focused on penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and management skills and knowledge required to determine the network's resiliency against attacks. The CompTIA Pentest+ exam includes the below-mentioned domain and topics:
Here are the domains and topics covered in the CompTIA Pentest+ exam:
Planning and Scoping: Describe the significance of planning for an engagement
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Identification: Collecting information using appropriate techniques and performing and analyzing vulnerability scans
Attacks and Exploits: Compare and contrast social engineering attacks
Penetration Testing Tools: Use NMAP to conduct information-gathering exercises
Reporting and Communication: Recommend mitigation strategies for discovered vulnerabilities
2.4. Job roles for a certified CompTIA Pentest+ professional
CompTIA Pentest+ is an industry-standard IT certification for cybersecurity professionals with three to four years of practical information security or related experience.
As a certified CompTIA Pentest+ cybersecurity professional, you will be good to go for the following job roles:
- Penetration Tester
- Security Consultant
- Cloud Penetration Tester
- Web App Penetration Tester
- Cloud Security Specialist
- Network & Security Specialist
2.5. About the exam
CompTIA PenTest+ exam details:
Exam Code - PT0-001/ PT0-002 Number of Questions- Maximum of 85 questions Type of Questions- Performance-based and multiple choice Length of Test- 165 minutes Passing Score - 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
3. Things you need to know about CompTIA CySA+
3.1. What is the CompTIA CySA+ certification?
CompTIA CySA+ is the intermediate high-stakes cybersecurity analyst certification, validating behavioral analytics-based approach in order to tackle cybersecurity threats.
CompTIA CySA+ includes the updated core security analyst skills to prevent, detect and combat cybersecurity threats through continuous security monitoring, making it one of the best cybersecurity certifications.
The CompTIA CySA+ certification meets the directive 8570.01-M requirements and is compliant with ISO 17024 standards.
3.2. Skills you will learn with CompTIA CySA+
A successful candidate will learn the following skills, such as:
- Identify tools and techniques
- Analyze, collect, and interpret security data
- Use network host and web applications vulnerability assessments tools
- Understand and remediate identity management, authentication, and access control issues
- Participate in a senior role within an incident response team
3.3. Exam domain and topics
CompTIA CySA+, exam code CS0-002, is a well-known and widely accepted IT cybersecurity certification, validating fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to deploy threat detection techniques, interpret and analyze data, find vulnerabilities, and suggest possible actions to recover from security incidents.
Here are the domains and topics covered in the CompTIA CySA+ exam, which is divided into five categories:
Threat and Vulnerability Management: including the importance of threat data and vulnerabilities
Software and Systems Security: apply security solutions to systems and softwares
Security Operations and Monitoring: a proactive approach towards cyber threats and attacks
Incident Response: understand the importance of the incident response process and use the digital forensic procedures
Compliance and Assessment: focus on data security controls and risk mitigation strategies
3.4. Job roles for a certified CompTIA CySA+ professional
The need for a certified CompTIA CySA+ professional is high in demand, and many organizations are constantly recruiting cybersecurity analyst professionals. A successful candidate has the strong mindset and skills to apply behavioral analytics to networks and devices to fend, detect and combat cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities.
Here are the job opportunities for a certified CompTIA CySA+ candidate:
- Security analyst
- Security engineer
- Threat hunter
- Threat intelligence analyst
- Application security analyst
- Compliance analyst
- Incident response or handler
3.5. About the exam
CompTIA CySA+ exam details:
Exam Code - CS0-002 Number of Questions - Maximum of 85 questions Type of Questions - Performance-based and multiple choice Length of Test - 165 minutes Passing Score - 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
4. CompTIA Pentest+ vs. CySA+: exam overview
4.1. Difficulty of exam
CompTIA Pentest+ is an offensive-focused certification. On the other side, CompTIA CySA+ is lean toward the defensive and preventative security approach. Another difficulty measure lies in the level of your study material, lab practices, and software tools.
If you have worked as a Pentest tester in your IT career, for example, then the exam will likely be easier for you.
### 4.2. Preparation time
Another thing that makes you stand apart from the crowd is preparation time. Having years of hands-on penetration testing and cybersecurity analyst experience does not favor you in passing the exam.
You need to spend a reasonable amount of time preparing for these exams.
4.3. Validity of the certification
CompTIA Pentest+ and CompTIA CySA+ both certifications are valid for three years from the date you pass your certification.
After the three-period, a cybersecurity professional is required to renew each of these certifications separately (in case you earn both the exams).
5. Requirements for the Pentest+ and CySA+
Mostly, cybersecurity exams require you to have a minimum amount of hands-on experience before you take the exam. This means that you have the knowledge and understanding of what you are going to take, making you an ideal candidate for both certifications.
For Pentest+ and CySA+ certifications, CompTIA suggests having at least 3-4 years of information security or related experience for each exam. Apart from that, if you have Network+ and Security+ certification or similar knowledge makes you feel confident and semi-comfortable with the study material and exam domain and topics.
6. Recertification process for the Pentest+ and CySA+
Now comes the vital point where you learn how long your cybersecurity certification is valid for. Generally, most of IT certifications are valid for a specific period of time.
The reason behind its expiration is that with evolving technology, new tactics and skills are required to tackle advanced and high-end cyber threats. Moreover, CompTIA understands the importance of a safe environment, updating the core knowledge and skills, domains, and topics after a fixed time (primarily three years).
Let us come to the point again; both exams are valid for three years from the date you take your certification exam.
As we mentioned above, to update your skills and knowledge with time, you are required to renew the certification. To perform the recertification process, you will need to join the Continuing Education (CE) program.
7. Certifications that you think could be a good fit for your career path
With the growing importance of cybersecurity professionals, earning a specific cybersecurity certification can add an extra layer of skill and knowledge to your career.
Having said that, if you wish to become a cyber-analyst, you must understand potential cyber-attacks risks that can exploit your system. In the same way, if you are more interested in penetration testing, you must learn and understand potential exploits for vulnerabilities and defensive tactics to prevent possible hacks.
After considering all these things, it is pretty safe to say that both the exams are critical for your cybersecurity IT career, and each will add a different set of skills and knowledge to your career.
8. Why choose CBT Proxy for IT certifications?
CBT Proxy has been around for over 8 years now, providing top-notch and reliable proxy services at its best. When it comes to CompTIA Pentest+ and CySA+ certifications, we have a comprehensive guide and roadmap to provide you with a hundred percent passing guarantee.
Also, we work on a pay-after-you-pass model, which means that once you pass the exam―which is 100% guaranteed―you are required to make the payment.
To know more about our work pattern and how you can take both exams, click the Contact Us button, and one of our guides will get in touch with you and host you accordingly.
