New CompTIA Cloud Certification

CompTIA — a provider of vendor-neutral skills certifications for the global IT workforce — and ITpreneurs — a provider of competence development products for IT best practices — announced they are collaborating on a new cloud computing skills credential.




The CompTIA Cloud Essentials exam , scheduled for availability in December, will validate knowledge and understanding of cloud computing principles and concepts, including what cloud computing means from a business and technical perspective and what’s involved in moving to and governing the cloud.



“The value and benefits of cloud computing are quickly becoming apparent to organizations of every shape and size, from the largest enterprise to the smallest business,” said Terry Erdle, executive vice president, skills development, CompTIA. “But there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for moving to the cloud. It requires thoughtful evaluation, comprehensive planning and technical savvy.”



“A principal understanding of cloud computing, and its related skill set, is essential for a well-managed implementation of any cloud project,” said Sukhbir Jasuja, chief executive officer, ITpreneurs. “This credential demonstrates IT professionals’ understanding of the key concepts, themes and issues around cloud computing, including definitions, organizational readiness, operating in the cloud and governance and security of the cloud model. It is also driving agreements around definitions of key concepts across major vendors, and encouraging the whole industry to cooperate with each other through the Cloud Credential Council as the preferred forum.”



Exam content is based on consultation and insights from subject matter experts and organizations in the cloud computing market, including Amazon, Cisco, Citrix, EMC, Google, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Rackspace and VMware.



Potential candidates for the new credential include IT professionals in companies utilizing cloud computing today or contemplating doing so as well as individuals involved in selling cloud services. Though not required, it’s recommended that candidates for the exam have a working knowledge of how an internal or external IT organization operates and have at least six months of experience in an IT environment with direct involvement in IT-related tasks, responsibilities and decision making
 
 
Get the exam specifics here: http://certification.comptia.org/getCertified/certifications/cloud.aspx
 

CompTIA's explanation of Certification policy changes...

Earlier this year, CompTIA announced it would start requiring certificants — even those already holding CompTIA certifications that had been billed as lifelong — to renew their certifications.




Two weeks later, the association reversed this decision somewhat, saying that previous CompTIA certification holders and those studying for its exams this year would be certified for life. Effective Jan. 1, 2011, all new CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications will be valid for three years from the date the candidate becomes certified.



According to Terry Erdle, senior vice president of skills certification for CompTIA, the decision was originally brought about by advice from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). “The way they explained it to us is: ‘We really should start to push you guys into line with everybody else, which is a three-year or least some kind of recertification process. Your IT certifications can’t go on forever; lifetime certification is just not something that we’re going to stand behind anymore,’” Erdle said.



So CompTIA developed a continuing education process and a policy of requiring recertification. One of ANSI’s requirements was that such a policy be applied evenly across the association’s entire database.



“Well, the announcement went out, and we certainly heard from a number of people,” Erdle said. “I wouldn’t say it was a majority, but a vociferous number of them who said, ‘You know, this really isn’t fair.’”



IT pro Walter Byrd was one such protestor. When Byrd first heard he’d be required to recertify, he was angry. “I felt it was unfair,” he said. “I felt that I was being cheated because they were always very insistent that their certifications were lifetime.”



Byrd pointed to language on CompTIA’s Web site that had declared, “Our certifications are good for life. Once you are certified, you are certified for life. The certifications do not have an expiration date nor do you have to retake a test after an upgrade.”



CompTIA reported these frustrations on the part of its certificants to ANSI, which in turn agreed to allow CompTIA to revise its policy to allow former certificants to retain their lifetime certification and to start implementing the new policy in 2011.



CompTIA certificants were relieved, Erdle reported.



“We got a lot of ‘tears of joy streaming down my face’ kind of comments,” he said.



Byrd’s reaction to the policy revision was a bit more understated. “That was fine,” he said. “If they want to change their policy for certifications going forward, I have no problem with that at all. But I don’t think it’s fair for them to do that retroactively.”



Erdle understands frustration with the initial policy announcement. “We probably pulled the rip cord on the first policy a little too quickly, and we’ve learned from that and we’re going to take a slightly more conservative policy change process approach in the future, knowing how hot an issue this is for some people,” he said.



According to Erdle, a policy of recertification goes beyond meeting standards requirements; it enhances the value of CompTIA certs overall since employers generally insist IT professionals keep their skills current. “This is a good thing overall, to get to the point where we’re keeping people’s certifications fresh,” he said. “We’re recognizing that IT content changes rather dramatically every three to five years and that people should provide some level of credible assurance that they have stayed current.”



Byrd isn’t so sure this is significant. “I think it will make some difference, but only with certain employers,” he said. “For example, for a DOD employer it might matter. Most employers I don’t think will even know the difference.”



A key question is whether this new policy will create a skills gap between previously and newly tested CompTIA certificants, as holders of the old certs will be date-stamped to when they were tested and holders of the new certs will be forced to continually update their skills.



“Well, [it’s the] same kind of testing process [and the] same content, [though] obviously the content continues to change,” Erdle said. “It’s up to the individual to decide how current their skills need to be, whether they need to recertify. It probably sounds more onerous than it is when people first look at it and think, ‘Ugh, I have to retest every few years.’ And that’s really not the point.”



He pointed out that most IT pros already engage in a process of updating their skills as needed, which likely includes certification beyond their original education in the field.



“I don’t think anybody who plays in the IT space would think that the same technology, even the fundamentals that I learned 20 years ago, [is] completely relevant today,” he said. “I mean cloud computing and just the basic platforms that people use today are wildly different in terms of how they handle.”
 
 
Original article: By Daniel Margolis — March 22, 2010 ~ Certification Magazine http://www.certmag.com/read.php?in=3938

Changes to CompTIA A+ exam

CompTIA’s A+ certification has been used for years as a stepping-stone into the world of IT. It primarily tests knowledge of computer hardware, including installation, maintenance and troubleshooting. It’s been well-regarded across the industry, and those who obtain it are often rewarded with entry-level jobs on a help desk, or promotion or raise if they already work in the field.


The A+ hasn’t been updated 2006, a long time in IT years. Because of that, CompTIA has done a complete refresh of the A+. Here’s what you need to know about the brand-new A+ certification.



Test Details: The new A+ consists of two tests: CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) and CompTIA A+ Practical Applications (220-702). Passing for the Essentials test is 675, and 700 for the Practical Applications test; that’s on a scale of 100-900. Each exam is 100 questions, and candidates have 90 minutes to take the test. Exam objectives can be downloaded from the CompTIA website.



Current A+ certification holders: Candidates certified on A+ may not have to take both exams to remain current. Those certified on the 2006 A+ objectives can take a single exam, called the “2009 Edition Bridge Exam.” It’s an 85-question exam with a required passing score of 500 on a scale of 100-900.



What has changed: The focus of the new A+ certification is more on problem-solving, and also reflects new operating systems. The objectives, for example, often start with “Given a scenario…” In other words, you need to know how to apply the knowledge in a real-world setting.



In addition, Windows Vista is now tested under the operating system knowledge requirements. The previous version of the A+ only required XP know-how (hopefully, future versions of the A+ won’t take as long to include Windows 7 knowledge as it took to update the tests to include Vista).



Why the test has changed: CompTIA needs to update the test at least every three years to comply with its ISO 17024 accreditation. This accreditation gives the A+ certification a certain status in the community. CompTIA adds that the new credential “reflects changes in technologies and covers the latest skills needed by IT technicians.”



The previous A+ certification required a core test and one of three electives, depending on which track a candidate wanted to pursue: IT Technician, Remote Support Technician or Depot Technician. Those designations are outdated, as a qualified technician should be able to provide support for multiple areas.



Note that if you’re currently in study or training for the old tests, they will still be offered until July 31, 2010. If at all possible, however, it’s worthwhile to move to the new tests, as they will test more current technology, making you more employable or valuable if you’re currently employed. After all, a lot has changed in IT since 2006.

original article: http://certification.about.com/od/techcertbasics/a/AplusChanges.htm
 

CompTIA Strata certification helps bridge the skills gap IT employers are needing.

The paradox appears on a regular basis in the business news headlines.




Unemployment in the United States jumped to double digits in October for the first time in more than a quarter century, reaching 10.2 percent.



Yet hiring managers continue to find it difficult to fill positions requiring certain high-tech skills.

According to the latest Yoh Index of Technology Wages, a poll of more than 9,000 hiring managers in more than 15 metropolitan areas across the U.S., companies continue to struggle to find workers with Java and .Net/C+ development skills, as well as IT security engineers, network engineers, software engineers, quality assurance professionals and project managers.



And the gap between tech job openings and qualified people to fill them appears to be growing, not shrinking.



Global IT research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) and Microsoft Corp. released a study in early October 2009 that suggests the IT industry will create 5.8 million new jobs over the next four years. That projected growth rate of 3 percent a year is more than three times as fast as the growth of total employment.



Now for paradox two.



Young people today are the most tech-savvy generation ever. Yet many continue to shun careers in high tech, even at a time when 21st-century employers desperately need new workers with technology skills.



Connecting these two groups is the challenge that will define the future. It’s a challenge that must be addressed with new solutions.



Strata Rolls Out

Last year, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a trade association for the global IT industry, took a major step to address this challenge with the introduction of its CompTIA Strata certificate program.



Rather than focusing narrowly on specific computer applications, CompTIA Strata is designed to offer a broad introduction to technology — the core terminology, uses and types of technology deployed today. The exams do not certify technical skills, but demonstrate that an individual has knowledge of IT terms, equipment and functions.



Why the emphasis on broad, fundamental technology skills? There are two reasons.



First, the service technician, help desk, support role, which requires a broad set of basic skills, remains the best avenue to begin an IT career.



Second, employers of all sizes and across many industries have identified this job as one they are looking to fill immediately.



According to the latest Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Index and Skills Report, a survey of more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the U.S., when asked which technical skill sets are most in demand in their IT departments, 64 percent of respondents cited desktop support. Help desk and technical support and networking are the two job areas experiencing the most growth, with 18 percent of the response each.



Get on the Information Superhighway

CompTIA Strata is designed to be an on ramp to a career in technology, something students or adult career changers can use to gauge their aptitude and interest for IT. With a basic understanding of PC and networking fundamentals, these individuals will have the confidence to pursue more advanced skills certifications and will have a credential to prove to prospective employers that they’re ready to enter the IT workforce.



“We’ve been looking for a level one technical course for a while, and this suits our needs as it’s vendor-neutral,” said Stuart Philip, IT curriculum leader at Highlands College, Jersey, U.K. “It provides a good all-round platform to more technical qualifications.”



The CompTIA Strata Fundamentals of IT Technology exam is designed to show that the successful candidate has the knowledge to identify and explain technology basics, including the characteristics and functions of laptops, desktops and smart phones. Individuals must be able to understand the functions of internal and external storage devices, such as CDs, DVDs, USBs and hard drives. The exam also covers green IT: Individuals will have to know how to use and dispose of equipment in an environmentally friendly way.



Topical Discussion

Topics covered in the exam include:

• Technology and computer hardware basics (40 percent of exam content).

• Compatibility issues and common errors (13 percent).

• Software installation and functions (11 percent).

• Security risks and prevention (16 percent).

• Green IT and preventative maintenance (20 percent).



The CompTIA Strata IT Technology exam (FC0-U41) is a 60-minute test that includes 70 questions. A passing score of 70 percent or higher is required. Individuals who pass the exam will receive the CompTIA Strata certificate of completion.



The recommended number of hours needed to prepare for the exam varies based on each candidate’s existing level of knowledge and the type of exam prep they’re engaged in. For example, commercial training could be completed in four days. At the college level, about 48 hours of classroom or lab experience is the norm. For high school students, one semester of instruction (five hours per week for 18 to 19 weeks) is the recommended preparation time before sitting for the exam.



A second exam, CompTIA Strata IT Technology for Sales (FC0-TS1), is designed to show that successful candidates have the knowledge to engage a customer on a professional basis using proper communication skills, qualify the type of technology user, provide appropriate solutions based on a customer’s needs and coordinate with technical staff throughout the sales process.



This test assesses a candidate’s knowledge in areas related to ongoing customer care and engagement and ensuring proper customer satisfaction. This test is intended for candidates considering or currently in a technical sales role with the potential for future sales, project management or technical training.



Domains in the CompTIA Strata IT Technology for Sales exam include:

• Technology and computer hardware basics (48 percent).

• Compatibility issues and software compliance (16 percent).

• Preventative maintenance and green IT (18 percent).

• Sales and communication skills (18 percent).



The exam is a 60-minute test that includes 70 questions. A passing score of 70 percent or higher is required.



CompTIA Strata exams are delivered at Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers around the world. Courseware is available from Axzo Press and Element K.



Employment Takeaway

For individuals, CompTIA Strata is a way to prove to employers or potential employers that they can handle an IT-related job. It’s also good preparation for CompTIA A+ or other advanced IT certifications.



For employers, CompTIA Strata can ensure that employees have baseline knowledge of computers and how to use them. This can help reduce unnecessary troubleshooting requests and increase the bandwidth of IT staff.



Now more than ever, companies value employees who can think strategically and communicate effectively, as well as those who possess strong business fundamentals. IT workers who understand how to use technology to meet business goals, and who can articulate this understanding, are golden in the eyes of employers.



A certificate such as CompTIA Strata makes an individual more marketable. Unless the employer is familiar with the school the job candidate attended or the organizations the candidate worked for, the hiring manager has no independent means of knowing how rigorous the program or experience is. When a job candidate comes to an employer with a recognized and accepted professional credential, it gives the employer more to go on.

For workers new to the employment market without a great deal of past experience, an industry-recognized credential puts the worker in a stronger position when looking for a job.




Individuals who are securing jobs in today’s tech workplace are equipped with greater versatility and a broader skill set than was required in the past. People who want to be in IT need an edge, a means of proving they can do the tasks assigned. CompTIA Strata is a step toward that proof.

How long are Certifications good for?

I have been asked this question many times by individuals interested in pursuing Certifications. In particular CompTIA, Microsoft and Cisco so I will address each on its own.

First CompTIA: any certification issued by CompTIA is good for life, it says it here on their website: http://certification.comptia.org/security/security_update.aspx#eleven

Will candidates ever need to renew their certification? CompTIA certifications are lifetime certifications. Unless an employer requires recertification, CompTIA certification is valid for the rest of a professional’s career.

Microsoft:
simply put - the Certifications will not expire but they will become obsolete with evolving technology. Also, for certian technology there can be or can not be an upgrade path depending on what area of the product you have certified in. A link from Microsoft's website might clarify: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/windowsserver/2008/transition/default.mspx

Because there is a significant technology gap between Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2008, only IT professionals with specific Microsoft Certifications on Windows Server 2003 can utilize these transition or upgrade paths. In addition, there is no upgrade path from messaging or security specializations to Windows Server 2008 certifications.

Cisco: http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/le11/learning_about_certification_exams.html

Do certification exams expire?

CCENT, Associate and Professional level 642 exams are valid for three years from the date the exam was passed. Specialist focused certification exams are valid for two years from the date the exam was passed.

Placing expiration dates on exams ensures that candidates starting a multi-exam certification such as CCENT, CCNP, CCDP, CCVP, CCSP and CCIP, complete the program within a specified time-frame. By passing all of the required exams within the specified time period as noted above, candidates demonstrate that they are tested on current content. In situations where the period exceeds three years, candidates will need to re-take those exams that expire.

For CCIE written exam expiration information, visit the CCIE Exam Information page.