Guide to CompTIA Certification
Advance Your Career with a CompTIA Certification from an Authorized Academy Partner
Earn your Master of Science in Cybersecurity online with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and gain the credential to pursue career-focused, in-demand certifications from one of the industry’s leading associations.
What is CompTIA?
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading non-profit trade association that issues a variety of professional certifications for the information technology (IT) industry. The association strives to enhance IT through career-focused certification exams that ensure top-skilled professionals are leading the industry.
Which CompTIA Certificates Should You Pursue?
Earning your Master of Science in Cybersecurity online with the Middlebury Institute of International Studies is just the first step in advancing your career. Many of today’s IT security employers require applicants to have both a master’s degree and foundational professional certifications, which is where CompTIA comes in.
The Middlebury Institute is proud to be a CompTIA Authorized Academy Partner. This partnership allows us to provide our MS in Cybersecurity students with specialized CompTIA certification preparation resources and a curriculum that aligns with the association’s standards. Additionally, our students also receive discounted exam vouchers.
As a graduate of our online MS in Cybersecurity degree, you’ll be qualified to sit for the in-demand CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+) exams, both of which are standard for the industry and can elevate your career as a leader in the field.
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+)
CompTIA Security+ Certification
| What it is: | The CompTIA Security+ certification showcases the baseline skills required to perform core cybersecurity functions as an industry professional. |
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| Required skills:1 |
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| Why pursue it: | This CompTIA certification is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as the baseline industry standard. Many companies require new employees to have completed this certification. Additionally, Security+ serves as the credential needed to pursue advanced certifications in the field and go even further in your career. |
| Cost: | The price of one exam voucher for this CompTIA certification is $404.00. As a student of the Middlebury Institute’s online MS in Cybersecurity program, you’ll be eligible to receive a discounted exam voucher. |
| What it is: | The CompTIA CySA+ certification applies behavioral analytics to IT security to improve the overall state of the field. |
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| Required skills:2 |
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| Why pursue it: | The CySA+ is a higher tier of CompTIA certification and is geared towards professionals seeking roles that involve incident detection and continuous monitoring. This certificate is essential to anyone pursuing cybersecurity leadership roles and other advanced certifications, as it will provide you with a competitive edge that will stand out to today’s employers. |
| Cost: | The price of one exam voucher for this CompTIA certification is $404.00. As a student of the Middlebury Institute’s online MS in Cybersecurity program, you’ll be eligible to receive a discounted exam voucher. |
What Jobs Can I Get with a CompTIA Certificate?
It is projected that cybercrime will cost businesses a collective $9.5 trillion in damages in 2024 alone.3 Through the diverse analytical and technical competencies delivered through the Master’s in Cybersecurity program and CompTIA certifications, you’ll be credentialed to combat cybercrime in a variety of lucrative and in-demand careers.
In-Demand Cybersecurity Careers:
Information Security Analyst $120,360 median annual salary4
Cyber Operations Analyst $92,986 average annual salary5
Cybersecurity Specialist $109,305 average annual salary6
Data Security Officer $96,617 average annual salary7
Elevate Your IT Career with Middlebury Institute
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies can be completed entirely online through an interactive, virtual classroom. The curriculum is taught by dedicated educators with deep ties to the cybersecurity industry. With their support, you’ll complete the essential training necessary to sit for Security+ and CySA+ CompTIA certifications and excel as a leader in your field.
If you’re ready to advance your cybersecurity career, we’re ready to help. Contact an enrollment counselor or apply for the online MS in Cybersecurity degree today.
Sources
- CompTIA. CompTIA Security+. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security.
- CompTIA. CompTIA CySA+. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.comptia.org/certifications/cybersecurity-analyst.
- Esentire. 2023 Official Cybercrime Report. Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.esentire.com/resources/library/2023-official-cybercrime-report.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Information Security Analysts.” Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
- Salary.com. “Cyber Operations Analyst Salaries in the United States.” Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/cyber-operations-analyst-salary.
- Salary.com. “Cybersecurity Specialist Salaries in the United States.” Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/cybersecurity-specialist-salary.
- Payscale. “Average Data Security Officer Salary.” Retrieved October 9, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Data_Security_Officer/Salary.