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Gregory Childers · Aug 2, 2026

Mark Anthony Germanos said:
Back when Bill Gates was the only computer nerd billionaire, I built my career on the MCSE. This involved passing six exams, which I pulled off within five months. I kept the Microsoft certifications alive up until about 2020. That’s when I embraced CompTIA as my primary certification solution.

I first earned Security+ in 2007. Now I hold A+, Security+, PenTest+, SecurityX and SecAI+. My certs from Microsoft and other software companies have expired.

My challenge now is marketing my training services for Security+ and SecAI+.

I earned my MCSE in November 2003 after passing six exams. I also earned a couple of MCTS certs in SharePoint. But it seemed that the market was flooded with Microsoft trainers, so I focused more on CompTIA and other vendors.

My next CompTIA cert that I'm working towards is Linux+.

Gregory Childers · Aug 2, 2026

I wish I could go. I mostly stick to conferences in the local area that don't require travel. I hope to make it to DefCon one day.

Jill West · Aug 2, 2026

Congrats! Probably the stuff you missed will now be the easiest parts to teach because it gets burned into your brain--at least, that's what happens to me, lol.

Ednei P. de Melo · Aug 2, 2026

Initially, I obtained certifications like Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA R&S, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, and Furukawa FCP simply to meet the requirements of the institution where I teach. However, due to some uncertainties in my current job - such as restructuring and layoffs - I began investing in CompTIA certifications, as they offered the most job opportunities (A+, in fact, outperformed even the trendier certifications in this regard). From then on, I became drawn to the nature of CompTIA certifications, and they became the core of my portfolio. &;-D

Ali Binmahfodh · Aug 2, 2026

Congratulations. Mitch

Johannes Verwijnen · Aug 2, 2026

I'm primarily a cloud instructor, so have got all AWS and Google Cloud certs as well as many Microsoft ones. Also have the LF Kubernetes certifications. AWS and Google certs I do for fun, the rest as they are required to teach the relevant courses.

precious · Aug 2, 2026

Congratulations

@Mitch Garvis you did amazing work

Steve Schofield · Aug 1, 2026

I'm putting together a 15 week course for A+ (core 1 / core 2). The modules 1-10 are for core 1. And Modules 11-22 are for Core 2. What would CompTIA recommend for a student to take the Core 1 after modules 1-10 and Core 2 after modules 11-22. OR take both certs at end of semester.

Mitch Garvis · Aug 1, 2026

I confess, I did not give this exam the respect I should have. I studied for a day and then sat it. I did not ACE it, but I passed. I know what to focus on prior to my first delivery (which I think is in October).

Mitch Garvis · Aug 1, 2026

There was a discussion (started by me) a few weeks ago about an MCT who inadvertently violated exam policy by using a touch screen.

I sat the Cloud+ exam yesterday and after waiting 42 minutes for the proctor, I decided to ask. According to him, if your hardware is a touch screen but you do not try to use it during the exam then it is acceptable.

I thought some of you might be interested.

Amelia A. · Aug 1, 2026

Gregory Childers said:
I'm curious how other instructors have built their certification portfolios over the years.

CompTIA has always had a vendor-neutral philosophy, and I think that's one of its greatest strengths. It teaches concepts and skills that apply across technologies instead of focusing on a single vendor.

But many of us also teach courses or work with clients who use specific technologies. That got me wondering how everyone balances CompTIA with other certifications. Besides your CompTIA certifications, what other certifications do you currently hold? Are you pursuing anything new?

How do vendor certifications like Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, or CrowdStrike fit into your portfolio? What about vendor-neutral certifications like ISC2 or ISACA? Or more specialized certifications from organizations like OffSec or GIAC?

When you're deciding what certification to earn next, what drives that decision? Customer demand? Personal interest? Better career opportunities? Something else?

I'm not looking for a right or wrong answer. I'm just interested in hearing how other CompTIA instructors think about professional development and how you've put together a certification portfolio that works for you.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

I've added Microsoft certifications such as SC-900, AI-900 and AZ-900, and PL-900. I'm currently working on adding AZ-104. I have Cisco (CCNA) 200-301. Because my workplace will be teaching Python, I'll be adding the Python certification. I also have the SSCP planned, stemming from a WGU cybersecurity program. Primarily, my workplace focuses on CompTIA certifications.

sirithanatharathorn · Aug 1, 2026

Hello @Stephen Schneiter, I have checked both my inbox and junk/spam folders for emails received from July 23, 2026, to the present, but I still have not received my CySA+ exam voucher. Could you please check whether my name is on the recipient list?

mohamed hammad · Jul 31, 2026

Hi Malik,

I have sent you my CV just now . thank you,

jasoneckert · Jul 31, 2026

Rick Butler said:
Wish I could be there. Maybe one of these years, I'll get out for a DefCon.

Same here - I always have the desire to attend these conferences, but my schedule rarely makes it work out.
Probably a good thing, because I'm always busy troubleshooting some weird cloud issue anyways

That said, I wouldn't recommend DefCon. I've been before, and it just wasn't my scene.

My completely unscientific breakdown:
--> 95% people cosplaying as hackers with tactical backpacks, blinky gadgets, stickers, patches, and enough conference swag to open a gift shop (all of which is carefully documented on social media through a bazillion self-promoting posts).
--> 5% salespeople trying to figure out whether you can approve a six-figure purchase order.

Buried somewhere in there are a handful of genuinely good (but not excellent) talks... mostly attended by people who are too busy taking selfies with lock picks to appreciate them.

A much better conference that attracts the professional crowd and focused on real-world cybersecurity is the SINET Innovation Summit in New York (October). (edited)

Jill West · Jul 31, 2026

I've added a few AWS certs, a PMI cert, and a couple of Microsoft/Azure certs. I'm not as diligent about renewing those, though. I choose certs based on my interests and/or based on upcoming projects or classes I'm about to teach.

It's interesting to compare CompTIA exams and objectives to exams and objectives from other companies. CompTIA does a pretty good job of giving sufficient detail in their objectives so you know what you need to know on the exam. Vendor-specific certs, especially AWS, often do a good job providing free training materials or good documentation on their services, making it easier to find in one place what I need to study. But it's also a little annoying that the vendor certs are (understandably) focused on how to use their products rather than understanding the underlying concepts.

Mark Anthony Germanos · Jul 31, 2026

Gregory Childers said:
I'm curious how other instructors have built their certification portfolios over the years.

CompTIA has always had a vendor-neutral philosophy, and I think that's one of its greatest strengths. It teaches concepts and skills that apply across technologies instead of focusing on a single vendor.

But many of us also teach courses or work with clients who use specific technologies. That got me wondering how everyone balances CompTIA with other certifications. Besides your CompTIA certifications, what other certifications do you currently hold? Are you pursuing anything new?

How do vendor certifications like Microsoft, AWS, Google Cloud, Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, or CrowdStrike fit into your portfolio? What about vendor-neutral certifications like ISC2 or ISACA? Or more specialized certifications from organizations like OffSec or GIAC?

When you're deciding what certification to earn next, what drives that decision? Customer demand? Personal interest? Better career opportunities? Something else?

I'm not looking for a right or wrong answer. I'm just interested in hearing how other CompTIA instructors think about professional development and how you've put together a certification portfolio that works for you.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Back when Bill Gates was the only computer nerd billionaire, I built my career on the MCSE. This involved passing six exams, which I pulled off within five months. I kept the Microsoft certifications alive up until about 2020. That’s when I embraced CompTIA as my primary certification solution.

I first earned Security+ in 2007. Now I hold A+, Security+, PenTest+, SecurityX and SecAI+. My certs from Microsoft and other software companies have expired.

My challenge now is marketing my training services for Security+ and SecAI+.

Jen Z · Jul 31, 2026

I also did not receive the voucher. From what email address should it have come (so I can whitelist it)?
-Jen

Gregory Childers · Jul 31, 2026

I have the following:

Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals
ISC2 CC, CISSP, and CISSP
ISACA CISM
AXELOS/PEOPLECERT ITIL 4 Foundation
PMI Certified Associate in Project Management
Cloud Security Alliance Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge v4
CertNexus CyberSec First Responder, Certified Internet of Things Practitioner, Certified Internet of Things Security Practitioner
Corelight Gold User
Rapid7 InsightIDR Certified Specialist
Devo Certified Platform User

Currently working on my AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate. After that, probably some AI certs like AWS Certified AI Practitioner or Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals. I also want to get the Cloud Security Alliance Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust.

Rick Butler · Jul 31, 2026

You mean, there are OTHER CERTS?!!?

lol

Lately, I've been working on Microsoft Azure stuff, since I've been doing a lot of work in Azure - just this week, I spun up a Managed Instance for SQL, stood up IIS, an NSG, and App Proxying - pretty straight forward, once I started learning what was happening.

Oh, and for those that think you can save money by hosting stuff in the cloud, read the fine print. Microsoft may be gracious and give you those 720 vCore hours for a Managed Instance in SQL for free for the first year. What they don't tell you is they burn down if the MI is running, and they burn down at a rate of 4 to 1, since the smallest MI has 4 cores. This means you get only 180 hours of run-time per month under that plan - so plan accordingly.

I also keep up the Fortinet fundamental stuff as well as certs from the CECU (since I'm in Career Higher Education).

Oh, and I'm working on certs for ministerial work as well. Yes, ministry. This week, I'm studying basic chaplaincy - maybe I'll have an ordination as the first IT Chaplain - I've prayed quite a bit in server rooms, hoping a system will come up.

Who's next?

/r

Rick Butler · Jul 31, 2026

And don't forget that if you miss a session, you can still catch it on the rewind by using the link that you get in your email. Those will link you back to each session in the series.

/r

Mitch Garvis · Jul 30, 2026

Stephen Schneiter said:
Hi @Mitch Garvis, I did reach out to Legal on this suggestion, and while it is a big grey area, as far as I can see, CompTIA does not condone gifting vouchers. Also, remember that voucher numbers are assigned to the recipient when they are sent out. It has happened in the past, that vouchers were found being resold and tracked down to vouchers that were awarded through a TTT series. When asked about it, the person who received the voucher for participating in the TTT commented they gifted the voucher and was not responsible.

If you have questions feel free to reach out to me or to your CompTIA representative about any unused voucher. If there are questions you can refer to the Voucher Terms and Conditions Statement from CompTIA.

Stephen there is no need to reach out to you any further. With regards to my career I stay out of grey areas. You say it's not condoned, I am not interested in either giving or receiving. Thanks for your quick response!

(I was actually asking completely theoretically... I have one voucher from you guys right now BUT I AM USING IT!)

Stephen Schneiter · Jul 30, 2026

Hi @Mitch Garvis, I did reach out to Legal on this suggestion, and while it is a big grey area, as far as I can see, CompTIA does not condone gifting vouchers. Also, remember that voucher numbers are assigned to the recipient when they are sent out. It has happened in the past, that vouchers were found being resold and tracked down to vouchers that were awarded through a TTT series. When asked about it, the person who received the voucher for participating in the TTT commented they gifted the voucher and was not responsible.

If you have questions feel free to reach out to me or to your CompTIA representative about any unused voucher. If there are questions you can refer to the Voucher Terms and Conditions Statement from CompTIA.

Mitch Garvis · Jul 30, 2026

I just thought of something that had never occurred to me, and before I even think about it, I was going ask here. If we receive a voucher for an exam that we cannot use, are we allowed to gift it to someone else in the CIN who did not receive it?

Mitch Garvis · Jul 30, 2026

MBA said:
It's fresh on my mind since I took the exam today. The proctor explicitly asked a question about whether my screen is a touch screen. So, I suspect Pearson Vue will not allow you to test with a touch screen even if you don't touch it. -Moez

Thank you for letting me know! I was planning on asking the next time I sit an exam, but you saved me the trouble.

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