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October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month!

Please be aware that October is Cybersecurity Awareness month. There are many different cybersecurity organizations that recognize and offer additional educational resources around this designation. One such are the folks at StaySafeOnline:

https://www.staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month

They offered an online event on October 1, 2025. You can watch the recording at the link above. Their messaging for this year is that small actions can make a big difference. They have focusing on the Core 4. Four easy steps anyone can take to boost their online safety:
  • Use strong passwords and a password manager
  • Turn on multifactor authentication
  • Recognize and report scams
  • Update your software
As instructors I encourage everyone to help spread messaging about the 'Core 4' and talk about how students can use these and more advanced techniques as well as how they can spread the word about improving cybersecurity.

Theory vs. Labs: Which One Do You Never Skip?

Interesting question. You mentioned both A+ and Network+ which are foundational level courses. For those courses I believe that the exams are more theory (a better description might be protocol or standards) based and I present my material based on that. Why? Because the exams ask multiple choice questions based on simulated real-world environments. These exams don't use virtual environments, where students have to demonstrate knowledge of commands. I always tell my students about labs that are offered and I specifically tell them why I think that lab is important and what knowledge they should gain completing that lab. I offer them support if they encounter issues completing the lab. That said I don't ask 'who completed this lab' because nothing good comes out of that sort of query. It's like asking the class who didn't study for two hours the night before; some students study for 30 minutes and sail through the exam while others study 3-4 hours per evening and fail. We can lead students to knowledge but we can't force them to use it.

CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) Exam Prep

any time !
don't forget to share with us your preparing journey
I guess it is the same for almost everyone.
For me, TTT series was like a road-map to what you should focus on.
The The official platform CompTIA CertMaster Learn & Labs, are the essential material for the details.

Professor Messer’s free video is like summing it up and the final visual notes.

My time frame is 1-2 hours a day for 1 month.
Was ready for the exam, but unfortunately didn't get my voucher yet.

Hope to get it soon, so as not to waste all these efforts.

Theory vs. Labs: Which One Do You Never Skip?

For trainers that have experience delivering training over the years- its common knowledge that both theory and labs are important!

your balance for every batch or cohort will be dependent on the experience of the trainees

trainees with sufficient theoretical knowledge will need labs to complement and make them better and also I have seen persons in the field practicing for years but dont know the standards, jargons, principles and ethics or to put it lightly the how, why, when for different sceneries as they arise.

So bottom line - you cant skip any if you intend to benefit the participants
That’s a great point! I totally agree both theory and labs complement each other, and skipping either one leaves a gap.

From my side, what I’ve noticed is that labs make the theory “stick” faster, especially for new learners who might struggle to keep up with abstract concepts. On the other hand, theory provides the “why” behind the practice, which makes troubleshooting in real scenarios much more effective.

I think the real challenge as trainers is finding that sweet spot for each group sometimes 70% labs / 30% theory, sometimes the reverse, depending on their background.

Thanks for sharing this perspective !!

Theory vs. Labs: Which One Do You Never Skip?

I just noticed how every trainer has a different ‘teaching style’ when delivering A+ or Network+. Some go deep into theory, others focus on troubleshooting labs. If you had to pick, what’s the one thing you never skip in your training sessions?
It is not skipping this or that. It is about customizing your delivery according to your audience.

CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) Exam Prep

From my experience, the TTT series is really useful, but it depends on your goal

If you’re preparing to take the A+ exam: TTT alone is not enough. You’ll definitely need extra resources like practice exams, CertMaster or additional resources to make sure you cover everything and get used to the exam style.

If your goal is to teach or train students: then the TTT series can actually be enough as a foundation, since it gives you the structure to explain concepts, but you should still explore extra materials to give your students richer examples.
Thank you @mohammfor you response.
Good point you mentioned here.
What material or site you used? Or you think it can help?.
What about time frame to prepare?

Theory vs. Labs: Which One Do You Never Skip?

I just noticed how every trainer has a different ‘teaching style’ when delivering A+ or Network+. Some go deep into theory, others focus on troubleshooting labs. If you had to pick, what’s the one thing you never skip in your training sessions?
For trainers that have experience delivering training over the years- its common knowledge that both theory and labs are important!

your balance for every batch or cohort will be dependent on the experience of the trainees

trainees with sufficient theoretical knowledge will need labs to complement and make them better and also I have seen persons in the field practicing for years but dont know the standards, jargons, principles and ethics or to put it lightly the how, why, when for different sceneries as they arise.

So bottom line - you cant skip any if you intend to benefit the participants

Passed the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2)

Please share the vouchers with others if you do not intend to use them this year.
@videsh31 Kindly note that vouchers cant be shared- they are name tied and have prerequisites which are clear( eg. mentoring or part of a training provider, participate in the live or on demand TTT sessions intended to help trainers deliver compTIA training or for CE etc.)

Vouchers normally have about 1yr duration so even if someone cant use it this year- next year upto June2026 is still an available timeline.

Thanks and awesome day ahead

CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2) Exam Prep

From my experience, the TTT series is really useful, but it depends on your goal

If you’re preparing to take the A+ exam: TTT alone is not enough. You’ll definitely need extra resources like practice exams, CertMaster or additional resources to make sure you cover everything and get used to the exam style.

If your goal is to teach or train students: then the TTT series can actually be enough as a foundation, since it gives you the structure to explain concepts, but you should still explore extra materials to give your students richer examples.

Passed the CompTIA A+ 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2)

Congrats! And yep, I've also got a couple of vouchers that need to be used before the end of the year. There are NOT enough hours in the day, lol.
I know that's right. I figure I have to find some quantum scientist out there that can add about 6-8 hours more to a day, just so I can get all my stuff done. Lately, I have to alternate my gym days with my cert study days. It's kinda a good system, but then something else jumps in to derail the training plan.

/r

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