Are you Technical? Non-Technical? No Matter! Discover How Upskilling with CompTIA Security+ Can Transform Your Career.

The need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals is greater now than ever. According to Gartner's Top Cybersecurity Trends report, "By 2026, Gartner predicts that 60% of organizations will shift from external hiring to "quiet hiring" from internal talent markets to address systemic cybersecurity and recruitment challenges." In other words, CISOs and managers are looking to upskill existing talent to meet their cyber security challenges.

Why is this?

According to Schneier on Security, the best candidates for entry-level cyber-security training are people with at least two to three years of work experience in a related field (computer scientists, developers, engineers, and coders). Contrary to expectations, entry-level cyber security roles will not be held by entry-level employees.

Who is Security+ for?

In a recent Learning Tree webinar on CompTIA's Security+, Gareth Marchant , co-author of the Official Security+ SY0-701 Self-Paced Study Guide, echoes this sentiment: "Security+ is considered an entry-level certification for cybersecurity, which is an important distinction in contrast to entry-level for IT."

Gareth elaborates further on the broadening audience for Security+ certification, including non-traditional IT roles, "You've got project managers, assessors, auditors, even middle managers, database administrators. Because more and more organizations are recognizing the significance and the importance of security, they're asking or requiring everyone involved to take the Security Plus exam." Security+ is valuable for meeting job requirements, improving careers, gaining understanding of cybersecurity, and providing a basic understanding of fundamental security concepts and practices.

Here's how a Security+ certification supports your current role:

IT Professionals and Cybersecurity Aspirants

• Provides comprehensive cybersecurity principles and practices.
• Essential for deepening IT security understanding.
• Serves as a stepping stone for cybersecurity career aspirants.
• Validates competencies to potential employers.

Project Managers, Assessors, and Auditors

• Offers deeper insights into the cybersecurity landscape.
• It helps in understanding the security implications of projects.
• Enables informed decision-making and effective communication with technical teams.

Database Administrators

• Aids in understanding the broader context of cybersecurity.
• Focuses on network security, threat management, and compliance.
• It is crucial for implementing effective data security measures.

Middle Managers

• Enhances understanding of cybersecurity risks and best practices.
• Key for effective team leadership and policy implementation.
• Important in resource allocation within security-focused organizations.

Non-Technical Professionals

• Provides a clear overview of cybersecurity fundamentals.
• Suitable for those without deep technical expertise.
• Encourages adherence to security measures and policies.

Department of Defense Personnel

• Often, it is a mandated requirement for handling sensitive information.
• Aligns with DoD 8570 directive for baseline cybersecurity certifications.

Entry-Level Cybersecurity Professionals

• Acts as an essential credential demonstrating readiness for cybersecurity roles.
• Offers a broad understanding of critical security concepts and practices.
• It is ideal for those starting a career in cybersecurity.

CompTIA's Security+ has been a gold standard in cybersecurity certification since 2002. It is an excellent way to meet staff goals in the next several years due to its value across various job functions. It was recently updated from version SY0-601 to SY0-701. According to Gareth Marchant, "It's a worldwide certification. People all over the world take this exam and have taken it for a

while."

Want to read more? For an overview of CompTIA Security+ Certification, the differences between SY0-601 and SY0-701, how to prepare for the SY0-701 exam, and our role as a CompTIA Authorized Partner, check out Learning Tree's recent blog, Your Guide to CompTIA Security+ SY0-701, by Christian Owens .

To enroll in Learning Tree's first SY0-701 CompTIA Security+ Certification Training on January 22nd, use the region-specific link below

US: https://www.learningtree.com/courses/comptia-security-plus-training/

Canada: https://www.learningtree.ca/courses/comptia-security-plus-training/

UK & EMEA: https://www.learningtree.co.uk/courses/comptia-security-plus-training/

Sweden: https://www.learningtree.se/courses/comptia-security-plus-training/

Resources?

1. Gartner's Top Cybersecurity Trends report: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/04-12-2023-gartner-identifies-the-top-cybersecurity-trends-for-2023
2. Schneier on Security: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2023/09/on-the-cybersecurity-jobs-shortage.html

Written by Benjamin Beaury, Learning Tree International.

Benjamin Beaury is a Content Specialist who manages content development across multiple platforms, including blogs, websites and social media. He specializes in content delivery strategies that reach the target audience in leadership, cybersecurity, process improvement and technical skills while advancing organizational marketing goals.