CompTIA Security + is addressing new issues with New Objectives

CompTIA Unveils New Objectives for CompTIA Security+ CertificationIT News Online Staff2008-05-24

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a provider of vendor-neutral certifications for the technology workforce, has announced the availability of new objectives for its CompTIA Security+ certification.Publication of 2008 Edition objectives, which detail the content of the certification exam, is a prelude to the launch of an updated CompTIA Security+ scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008.

CompTIA said the update of CompTIA Security+ is in keeping with its practice of continuous and ongoing review of its certification content to assure that it addresses the latest changes in technology and reflects the skills needed by tech workers and required by employers.In the case of CompTIA Security+, greater emphasis is being placed on knowing how to address specific security issues, rather than simply being able to recognize these issues. The new exam will cover six major objectives, or topics, namely Systems Security, Network Infrastructure, Access Control, Assessments and Audits, Cryptography and Organizational Security. The Access Control and Assessments and Audits topics are new additions to the exam.The company said organizations across a wide range of industries, including professional services, agriculture and food, IT, telecom, government and the United States military, use CompTIA Security+ as a skills benchmark for staff members responsible for managing systems and network security.

A 2008 CompTIA-commissioned survey of more than 2,000 individuals with responsibilities for information security found that more organizations are requiring security certifications such as CompTIA Security+ for their IT staff. In 2007, about one-third of all organizations required security certification for employees. That's an increase from the previous two years (26% in 2006 and 14% in 2005).The study also revealed that IT security certifications saved U.S. companies an average of more than $675,000 in 2007 because certified staff was better able to identify potential security risks proactively, and to respond more quickly to potential security issues.

The current version of the CompTIA Security+ exam remains available worldwide. Candidates now studying for, or considering CompTIA Security+ certification, are strongly encouraged to continue their preparation and test for the certification based on its current objectives.New objectives for CompTIA Security+ are available at certification.comptia.org.