Benefits of CompTIA Security+ Certification

As the competition gets more challenging day by day in the corporate sector, both professionals and companies must take radical steps to step up their game. Today, a smart professional is someone who is always looking for ways to improve his/her skill set, salary, and career opportunities. And one proven way to accomplish this is by investing their time and effort in professional certification. A certification is an excellent way to expand your knowledge horizons, acquire new skills, and increase your market value. 

A certification program allows you to hone your existing skill set, acquire new skills, and learn the best practices related to your industry. When employees are adequately trained through certification programs, everyone develops similar skills and knowledge. This helps them to work as a unified force within a company, thereby boosting operational efficiency and productivity. Standard and globally accredited certification training programs also help professionals to stay updated with the latest advancements in the industry. Employees who can match pace with the evolving industry standards can help steer a company to the top and emerge as a strong contender in the industry. These are the reasons why most employers highly value professional certifications.

Furthermore, certification programs offer massive networking opportunities. As you learn and engage in the exchange of ideas with individuals from different educational/professional background, you are exposed to new ideas and opportunities.

What is CompTIA Security+ Certification?

The CompTIA Security+ Certification is a globally recognized and accredited certification that validates an individual’s skills and ability to perform core security functions in an enterprise IT environment. It was launched in 2002 to meet the increasing need for trained security experts in the corporate sector to combat the rising security issues in the industry.

The Security + certification focuses on training and teaching candidates the core fundamentals of cybersecurity, including access control, data encryption, risk identification and management, disaster recovery, and much more. It also teaches Security Professionals the best industry practices in hands-on trouble-shooting so that they are equipped with practical security problem-solving skills.

The certification measures a professional’s competency in the following domains:

• Network security
• Cryptography
• Threats and vulnerabilities
• Application, data and host security
• Compliance and Operational Security
• Access control and identity management

It is an intermediate-level professional certification. Hence, it is essential to have at least two years of experience in Security to have the requisite background knowledge for the certification.

Benefits of CompTIA Security+ Certification

CompTIA maintains that 96% of managers look for certifications during the recruiting process. There are numerous benefits of obtaining the CompTIA Security+ Certification, such as:

Expand your knowledge base

During the course of studying for the certification exam, you learn many new things in the domain of Security. You also learn about the standard security practices. Once you clear the exam and obtain the certification, it becomes an official statement that you are now a certified professional who is aware of all the latest security principles, methodologies, and industry practices. This not only helps you to expand your knowledge of Security, but it also makes you more appealing before potential employers and hiring managers.

Improve your career prospects

The certification makes you adept at handling various security and network administration responsibilities. And since it is a globally accepted credential, you can enhance your job prospects in both public and private sectors anywhere in the world. You will have the option to choose from a wide range of services including Cryptography, Access Control, and Identity Management, Compliance and Operational Security, Threats and Vulnerabilities, and Data and Host Security, to name a few. 

Increase your market value

The Security+ Certification is an excellent way to stand out among the crowd of educated and qualified professionals. While everyone is now highly educated, not many undertake training programs and certifications for further career improvement. This is where you will have the upper hand over your competitors. Potential employers often hire certified professionals over a non-certified professional. Also, it helps increase your market value – recruiters are usually ready to pay high compensation in exchange for your skill and talent.

Get higher salary packages

The CompTIA Security+ credential is one of the Global Knowledge’s list of the top-15 highest-paying certifications, along with other advanced-level certifications like CISM, CRISC, and CISSP. 

According to PayScale, the average salary of a CompTIA Security+ certified professional ranges anywhere between $42,130 and $102,620.

Career opportunities after obtaining the CompTIA Security+ Certification

While career opportunities in cybersecurity are growing rapidly, there aren’t enough trained and talented professionals in this domain. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, by 2021, there will be 3.5 million unfulfilled cybersecurity job positions. With security skills being one of the most essential and highly demanded skills in the industry now, the career prospects for CompTIA Security+ certified professionals is very bright.

Some of the most in-demand career opportunities corresponding to this certification are:

• Security Analyst
• Systems Engineer
• Security Engineer/Architect
• Network Engineer/Architect
• Application Support Analyst
• IT Support Representative
• Network Administrator
• Systems Administrator
• Security Director/Manager
• CISO/CSO 
• Auditor

To conclude, there was never a better time to start a career in cybersecurity. The field is ripe with tremendous opportunities, and with the CompTIA Security+ Certification, you can bring your A-game in the industry. However, the certification exam could be a tough nut to crack. Thankfully, there are many online training courses available today. An online course will not only offer you expert guidance and training, but it will also allow you to learn at your own pace. 

So, are you ready to kickstart your cybersecurity career with the CompTIA Security+ Certification?