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Mitch Garvis · Monday at 8:09 AM

While I spend most of my time teaching cybersecurity, most people know me as a Microsoft guy. I was a Microsoft MVP, a Technology Evangelist with Microsoft Canada, and a Fast Track Engineer with Microsoft (both as a contractor). I have probably delivered a thousand lectures on Microsoft technologies... to over ten thousand students and event attendees.

A month ago I received an email from a company I train for asking if I would deliver Linux+. I was surprised, but if I am going to follow my own advice (you only grow when you are outside of your comfort zone) then I have to try new things. I spent a couple of weeks studying and preparing for the exam, and the Saturday before the class was scheduled I passed.

I was surprised by the class. Firstly I was surprised by how comfortable I was in Linux. But also, I was surprised by how much fun I had teaching it! I had a small class (4 students) who were all mostly new to Linux, and I realized early that by showing them 'This is what we do in Linux... compare it to X in Windows' they were able to better understand a lot of concepts that they thought were foreign.

This morning I received my Evals, and while there were a few things the students didn't love (they were unimpressed with a lot of lab glitches), the Instructor scores were through the roof. I was thrilled!

There are some topics I will likely never teach. I was told when I first got my MCT that I could probably 'fake my way' through a lot of courses, but if I was not really a SQL Server expert that I should never try to teach SQL Server because they will know. I'll never forget that. I was worried a month ago that if I was going to make it through a week of Linux+ I would likely be faking it. It turns out that I know it a lot better than I thought I did, and I was not at all faking it. I had fun because I could go off the slides and just talk through demos... a lot more interesting than Death By PowerPoint.

I am not walking away from the Microsoft ecosystem. I have worked hard to learn it as well as I do, and frankly I think I teach it better than most of my peers. However I will definitely be spending more time in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) that is a convenient feature of Windows 11, and will also be building a few more Linux servers in my lab environment (still built on Hyper-V). It will help not only for my Linux+, but also for my cybersecurity deliveries.

abiodun1991 · Monday at 5:38 AM

dwightwatt said:
I watched all of session 1 of AI essentials TTT and it was 69 minutes but certificate of attendance requires 110 minutes. Wont give certificate. How do I get it.

Watch it on demand let see

DAVID PAPKIN · Monday at 5:34 AM

Hi,

When I click on Linux+ Certmaster Study ( 3 dots) --> Resources , I dont see any Videos available. Where can I find the videos ? Previously I would use learn.comptia.org but doesnt seem to be available for v8.
View attachment 2481

Thanks

David Papkin

MOHAMMAD SALAH · Monday at 5:00 AM

Congratulations

DougBrooks · Monday at 3:15 AM

I think many of us are in the same boat regarding the 1202 voucher, I am sure that Stephen will distribute them when he can

Yanjanani · Monday at 12:30 AM

that applies to me as well

dlross · Dec 7, 2025

Hi everyone,

I'm teaching A+ right now, so I have access to the Excel doc through the Resources to see the different ways I can set up how we teach the class and the time frame we'd like to work with. Another bootcamp hired me and wants me to suggest some schedules for them. I don't have access to the Net+ and SEc+. Is there a means to get the Excel doc for those other two certifications?

Thanks!

jasoneckert · Dec 7, 2025

Great to hear!
CongratsX

Gregory Childers · Dec 7, 2025

Amelia A. said:
Thank you, CIN! I could not have passed it without the CIN sessions.

How many questions did you have? When I took the beta last year, it had 119 or something ridiculous like that.

Gregory Childers · Dec 7, 2025

Same problem here.

GingerHacker · Dec 7, 2025

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The event will culminate in a 4-hour livestream finale on December 13th, where we’ll celebrate our donors, showcase items, and raffle off some exciting prizes live!All proceeds will directly fund certification scholarships, mentorship programs, and educational materials for those breaking into cybersecurity.Your support can make a real impact in shaping the future of this vital industry. Together, we can create opportunities for students, veterans, and career-changers to build meaningful cybersecurity careers.

2025 Ginger Hacker Initiative Silent Auction

💻 Join Us in Empowering the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders! 🔐At The Ginger Hacker Initiative, our mission is simple but powerful to help aspiring cybersecurity professionals break into the field through mentorship, scholarships, and access to training resources.We’re thrilled to announce our...

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GingerHacker · Dec 7, 2025

Hey ALL!! My non profit has our silent auction happening with some great training and certs up for grabs for cheap! Helps support or mission and help get training and certs to students for a killer price ! please share and check it out !

2025 Ginger Hacker Initiative Silent Auction

💻 Join Us in Empowering the Next Generation of Cyber Defenders! 🔐At The Ginger Hacker Initiative, our mission is simple but powerful to help aspiring cybersecurity professionals break into the field through mentorship, scholarships, and access to training resources.We’re thrilled to announce our...

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dwightwatt · Dec 7, 2025

I watched all of session 1 of AI essentials TTT and it was 69 minutes but certificate of attendance requires 110 minutes. Wont give certificate. How do I get it.

precious · Dec 7, 2025

Congratulations

Amelia A. · Dec 6, 2025

Gregory Childers said:
SecurityX renews PenTest+, CySA+, Security+, Network+, and A+. It DOES NOT renew Cloud+, Data+, or any other CompTIA certifications.

Earn a Higher-Level CompTIA Certification

Earn or renew a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification to meet the renewal requirements for your existing CompTIA certification.

www.comptia.org

Thank you. This is a perfect example of why AI has to be prompted to check its accuracy and why one should switch between chatbots to confirm answers. Thank you!

Gregory Childers · Dec 6, 2025

Amelia A. said:
I'm looking forward to passing this exam. If the following AI answer is accurate, this cert will renew my A+ and Network+. This is the AI Answer:

If you currently hold A+ (1101/1102) and you renew SecurityX, your A+ will be renewed to the latest active version (currently A+ 1201/1202).

You do not need to retake the newer A+ exams. The CE program automatically updates your certification status to the most recent release.

This applies across the stack: renewing SecurityX cascades down to A+, Network+, Linux+, Cloud+, PenTest+, CySA+, Data+, etc.

SecurityX renews PenTest+, CySA+, Security+, Network+, and A+. It DOES NOT renew Cloud+, Data+, or any other CompTIA certifications.

Earn a Higher-Level CompTIA Certification

Earn or renew a qualifying higher-level CompTIA certification to meet the renewal requirements for your existing CompTIA certification.

www.comptia.org

Ibrahim Mohamed · Dec 6, 2025

Shea Bennett said:
@Stephen Schneiter Is there any way possible to extend access to Certmaster for Linux+ from the TTT to like 12/31/2025? Many of us activated early (not knowing it would cut off quickly) and I want to be able to finish but the cutoff is 12/13/2025. I want to make sure I'm learning exactly what my students will experience on the Certmaster platform. I'm almost done, but need a little more time (like some others who joined the TTT session).

Is this possible at all?

Do the Linux+ vouchers seem possible before New Years?

Sometimes you get stuck in some unforeseen tasks or extra work

Really hope there is a way to extend access to courses.

Ibrahim Mohamed · Dec 6, 2025

Amelia A. said:
Thank you, CIN! I could not have passed it without the CIN sessions.

Congrats

Jill West · Dec 5, 2025

You might be able to open the link to the last session, and if you're using the same account as before, it should recognize you and show your completion certificate for that session. I'm not sure how long those are available after completing a session. But usually if I revisit a session I've already watched, my certificate is still there.

Jill West · Dec 5, 2025

That's amazing, congrats!!

Rick Butler · Dec 5, 2025

Congrats on your win, Amelia!

Amelia A. · Dec 5, 2025

precious said:
Congratulations

Awesome!

Amelia A. · Dec 5, 2025

Gregory Childers said:
I passed the SecurityX exam this morning. I passed the CAS-004 back in April 2022.

It's a challenging, comprehensive exam. I had 88 questions. 4 PBQs and 1 VM question.

I'm looking forward to passing this exam. If the following AI answer is accurate, this cert will renew my A+ and Network+. This is the AI Answer:

If you currently hold A+ (1101/1102) and you renew SecurityX, your A+ will be renewed to the latest active version (currently A+ 1201/1202).
You do not need to retake the newer A+ exams. The CE program automatically updates your certification status to the most recent release.
This applies across the stack: renewing SecurityX cascades down to A+, Network+, Linux+, Cloud+, PenTest+, CySA+, Data+, etc.

Rick Butler · Dec 5, 2025

Samar Alzuabaidi said:
where I can find ON24 live sessions in the future ?

Check out my post last year on this - links, a screen cap, and instructions.

Amelia A. · Dec 5, 2025

Thank you, CIN! I could not have passed it without the CIN sessions.

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