Monthly Archives: June 2024

Studying for the CompTIA exams requires a systematic approach to cover the exam objectives and gain a solid understanding of the concepts and skills tested. Certifications can help you get where you want to be in your career. This summer commit to taking the time to study for certifications that can make a difference in your life by helping you get where you want to be in your career.

Steve Nicholson, my A+ video co-trainer and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the IT field. Like me, Steve has a deep understanding of the CompTIA certification process and a passion for helping others succeed. Check out Steve Nicholson’s study tips in the video below and follow our eleven-step study plan for any certification success.

Understand the exam objectives:
Visit the official CompTIA certification website to review the exam objectives. Familiarize yourself with the topics and skills in the objectives.

Gather study resources:
Obtain study materials such as textbooks, online courses, practice exams, and video tutorials. Everyone learns different, understand what media is best for your learning  style. Total Seminars has videos and we also have eBook, practice tests, online lab simulations and even discount exam vouchers.

Create a study plan:
Break down the exam objectives into manageable study sessions. Allocate time for each topic based on its importance and your proficiency level. Set specific goals and deadlines to stay organized and motivated.

Start with the basics:
Begin your studies by focusing on fundamental concepts.  For A+, focus first on topics like computer hardware, operating systems, networking, and troubleshooting. Establish a strong foundation before delving into more complex topics. I have always felt materials should follow a building block approach starting with the basics.

Study each exam objective:
Dive deeper into each objective, one at a time. Read the relevant chapters in your study materials, watch instructional videos, and take notes to reinforce your understanding. Make use of diagrams, flowcharts, and mnemonic devices to aid memorization.

Hands-on practice:
CompTIA exams test practical skills, so it’s crucial to gain hands-on experience. Set up a lab environment with a computer or use virtual machines to simulate real-world scenarios. Practice tasks like assembling/disassembling hardware, configuring operating systems, troubleshooting issues, and managing network settings.

Take practice exams:
Use practice exams to assess your knowledge and familiarize yourself with the exam format. They can help identify areas where you need more focus and build confidence by simulating the test environment. Review the explanations for incorrect answers to build a comprehensive understanding of the concepts.

Join study groups or forums:
Engage with others who are studying for the same exam. Participate in online communities, forums, or study groups to ask questions, share insights, and learn from their experiences. Collaboration can enhance your understanding and could unlock a wealth of additional resources for you. The Total Seminars Discord Server is a great place to start. Visit our Discord Server any time.

Review and reinforce:
Regularly review the topics you’ve covered to reinforce your knowledge. Use flashcards, mind maps, or summary sheets to consolidate key points. Focus on areas of weakness to ensure a balanced understanding of all exam objectives. Create a summary of your notes from step 5. Summarizing your notes will help you remember key points. The process of taking and rewriting a summary of your notes makes the concepts stick in your mind.

Exam readiness:
When you feel confident in your knowledge and have completed your study plan, it’s time to assess your readiness. Take a few more practice tests to gauge your knowledge and identify any remaining knowledge gaps. Review the exam objectives once more to ensure you haven’t missed any crucial topics.

Exam day preparation:
Prioritize a good night’s sleep before the exam. On the exam day, arrive early at the test center, bring the necessary identification documents, and maintain a calm and focused mindset. Read each question carefully, manage your time effectively, and review your answers before submitting. To help you in your time management, skip the Performance Based Questions (PBQs) and do the multiple-choice questions first. Come back to the PBQs last. This will avoid getting “stuck” on the PBQs and running out of time to finish the multiple-choice questions.

Remember to consult the CompTIA certification website and official documentation for the most up-to-date information regarding the exams, registration process, and any changes to the exam objectives or policies. And remember, never pay full price for CompTIA exam,  discount vouchers are available.

Good luck with your studies and the CompTIA exams!

Talk to you next week,
Mike

Steve Nicholson’s study tips in the video below and follow our eleven-step study plan for certification success.

FOURTH OF JULY SALE through July 10th!

Save $15 on any CompTIA Voucher at checkout when you use discount code FIREWORKS.

Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!

 US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.

E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub

The cloud’s evolving landscape continues to change our personal and business world. Cloud computing is intertwined in our digital lifestyle in all aspects of our day. At home, your phone, tablet, banking, and now a days, even your doorbell is connected via the cloud. Beyond our personal lives, cloud has revolutionized the business world. Cloud is leveraged in both large and small business to streamline operations and make collaboration over the miles almost seamless. AI, machine learning, and big data in the cloud allow companies to gain strategic insight.

With the ever-increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, security in the cloud has become a key industry for careers. cloud providers like AWS offer security services. Amazon GuardDuty leverage machine learning to continuously monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. In addition to these services, you can develop custom Python scripts to analyze security logs, identify anomalies, and automate incident response – all before a breach occurs.

IaC tools use AWS CloudFormation use JSON or YAML to define your infrastructure with ensures consistency in your platform. Utilizing Python scripts can dynamically create IaC templates, enforcing security best practices from the very beginning. This ensures your cloud infrastructure is built with security in mind, eliminating configuration drift and potential vulnerabilities.

Leveraging the Python library allows you to extend the capabilities of CSPM tools like AWS Security Hub. Python scripts automate security checks, gather data from various services, and generate comprehensive security reports. This allows you to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they become a security issue.

Cloud platforms offer a comprehensive suite of security services like AWS WAF and Amazon Inspector that provide a layered defense against cyber threats. Python excels at automating repetitive tasks. You can write Python scripts to automate security audits, vulnerability scans, and incident response procedures. Thus, making the skills sets a great asset for your resume.

The cloud security landscape is constantly evolving, but keeping up with advancements in AI, automation, and Python’s dominance in security scripting, you have the power to stay ahead of the curve.

Mike

Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!

 US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.

E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub

CompTIA is making an update to its IT Fundamentals program. The CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) FC0-U61 exam is being replaced by the CompTIA Tech+ FC0-U71 exam, launching in August 2024. They are rebranding the exam to Tech+.

Tech+ is a foundational certification that emphasizes areas like computing, device management, security, and is now also including some emerging technologies. While ITF+ covered foundational knowledge, Tech+ has upped its game, with a focus on practical tech knowledge for aspiring professionals.

CompTIA is even reflecting the growing importance of security. Let’s face it, security starts by having more knowledgeable users. Tech+ places a stronger focus on protecting digital assets which aligns with the rising demand for security skills across various IT professions.

As usual the update to Tech+ content will look to update the latest IT standards and industry trends. This ensures that certified individuals possess knowledge relevant to the current technological landscape.

If you’re considering a career in IT, the Tech+ certification offers a more practical and up-to-date foundation compared to the ITF+. It equips you with the essential skills to navigate the modern IT environment and potentially positions you stronger for entry-level IT roles.

Remember the current ITF+ certification remains valid. However, those seeking a current and practical IT credential may find the Tech+ exam a more strategic choice. Keep watching my blog, I will have more details on the changes!

Mike

Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!

 US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.

E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub

CompTIA Network+ certification is a cornerstone for IT professionals looking to validate their networking knowledge. With release of the N10-009 exam last week, you might be wondering: should you take the N10-008 or the N10-009? Either exam is essential for obtaining the CompTIA Network+ certification which validates your ability to manage, troubleshoot, and configure network infrastructures. Here’s a guide to help you make an informed choice.

First, remember regardless of which exam you take, you will be certified. Both exams assess your competency in the core networking areas, and the certification is valid for three years.

Network concepts (fundamentals, topologies, protocols)
Network implementation (devices, cabling, configuration)
Network operations (monitoring, troubleshooting, security)

The testing experience remains the same: 90 minutes, up to 90 questions (multiple-choice and performance-based), and a passing score of 720 on a scale of 100-900.

If you did not read my blog last week, the N10-009 introduces several updates:

N10-009 emphasizes emerging network trends and real-world applications compared to the N10-008’s focus on basic architectures. As with most updates, there is a significant overlap (70%), things change fast, but the core remains.

N10-009 has fewer objectives (less emphasis on troubleshooting) and delves deeper into specific areas like security concepts and disaster recovery.

So, which one should you take? Here is what you need to ask yourself:

Will you be ready before December 2024?
If not, you might be limited to the N10-008. We anticipate that N10-008 will retire at the end of the year. If you cannot be ready, then study for the N10-009. No one wants to be ill-prepared to take an expensive exam!

Do you love to learn the latest networking knowledge?
If you do, the N10-009 may be a better fit. Why take the time to learn the new tech and not be certified to the new objectives? Reset your pace and study for the new exam, unless you have a deadline for the certification.

What is your current level of knowledge?
If you have a fair amount of studying to do and want the N10-009, you may want to give a little time for new materials to be on the market. Some materials come out early, but you should review all the materials on the market to ensure that they are suited for your learning style.

What are your career goals?
If you are looking to advance, there are employers who will ask you if you are certified to the N10-008 and N10-009. Having the N10-009 could show some employers that you are on top of the latest technology.

Both N10-008 and N10-009 pave the way for a successful networking career, only you can make the decision as to which cert is best for your career. Align your career objectives, your tech skills, and your study ability. By understanding the differences and aligning your decision with your goals and timeline, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer the Network+ exam.

Talk to you next week,

Mike

Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!

 US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.

E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub

Living in the Cloud: Latest Advancements

The cloud isn’t going anywhere, and neither is its innovation. From security to cutting-edge AI integration, cloud technology keeps pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Let’s take a dive into some of the advancements and how they connect to the ever-reliable AWS platform, and how Python makes you the ultimate cloud captain.

Cloud security is a top concern, advancements are making it smarter. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are being leveraged to detect anomalies and fight cyber threats in real-time. AWS offers services like Amazon GuardDuty that use machine learning to continuously monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. But here’s where Python comes in: many of these services have robust SDKs written in Python, like the Boto3 library for AWS. This allows you to write Python scripts to automate security tasks, such as user access control or vulnerability scanning, freeing you for more strategic initiatives.

Serverless computing is hot in the cloud, allowing you to deploy code without managing servers. This is a perfect fit for Python’s lightweight and scalable nature. Frameworks like AWS Chalice and frameworks like Zappa leverage Python’s strengths to simplify serverless development. With Python, you can build cloud functions that react to events, process data, or trigger workflows – all without worrying about server infrastructure.

Infrastructure as code (IaC) is the practice of managing infrastructure through code. This allows for automation, version control, and consistency in your cloud deployments. Tools like AWS CloudFormation use a JSON or YAML syntax, but Python can be used to write scripts that dynamically generate IaC templates based on specific needs. This ensures your cloud infrastructure is built securely and consistently, following best practices encoded in Python code.

Python’s readability, vast ecosystem of libraries, and focus on developer experience make it a perfect language for building and deploying cloud applications. AWS offers comprehensive SDKs written in Python, giving you programmatic access to a wide range of cloud services. This allows you to write Python scripts to automate complex tasks and manage your cloud infrastructure efficiently.

The cloud landscape is ever-changing, but with advancements in security, AI integration, and Python’s dominance in cloud development, it’s an exciting time to be a cloud developer. By choosing AWS as your cloud platform and Python as your weapon of choice, you can leverage these advancements and propel your business forward with confidence.

Mike

Live 8-week CompTIA Security+ training for only $500!

 US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.

Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+, Network+, and Security+, hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn technical concepts covered on the exams.

E-books are available: Check out our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub