Just a quick note for anyone using or doing this specific activity, there are errors that I have reported that you should be aware of. For two of the scenarios I was given for the section 2.1.7 Activity: "Threat Model Analysis", the answers that I initially selected and should have been correct, were instead marked as incorrect. I had to select other options until I was able to get what it incorrectly thought was right before I could move to the next question. It clearly stated in the feedback for each that my initial answer was actually true, so there is a mismatch happening somewhere in the program. As it can take a bit of time for these things to get addressed, just consider that before blindly accepting the outputs are true.

Join us for a Sneak Peek of the new version of CompTIA DataSys+ V2 certification! @James Stanger and @Stephen.Patton will join us as they introduce the updated certification exam, talk about the need for these job skills and take a deeper look into the exam objectives.

CompTIA DataSys+ is a vendor-neutral certification designed for professionals with approximately 2–3 years of hands-on experience in database administration. The updated DataSys+ V2 validates the knowledge and skills required to design, deploy, manage and maintain databases across on-premises, cloud and hybrid environments. It ensures candidates can work with relational and non-relational databases, develop and run SQL and basic scripts, monitor performance, and implement security and business continuity best practices.

DataSys+ V2 expands beyond traditional DBA responsibilities to cover data acquisition and integration, scripting and programming concepts, and the impact of ORMs and application code on database performance. The exam tests the ability to secure data at rest and in transit, apply encryption and key management, implement identity and access management (IAM) and Zero Trust concepts, and support backup, restore, disaster recovery and high availability.

What: CIN Sneak Peek DataSys+ V2
When: August 27, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM CT
Who: Dr. James Stanger, Stephen Patton
Where: ON24
Register Here

Tech industry leaders are clear, and to the point: The most important skills today center around critical thinking. For the next installment of “The Pulse,” Join Cengage author @Jill West and CompTIA’s @James Stanger as they delve into one of the most pressing issues facing today’s instructors: If the human should be in the information technology loop, then what are the best ways to teach students to use AI , rather than simply rely on it? Topics will include:

• Strategies for teaching critical thinking in the age of AI
• Typical issues instructors face when using AI in the classroom, from policy blocks to cheating
• How to teach students so that they don’t engage in “superficial intelligence”
• Practical classroom solutions instructor can consider

What: CIN The Pulse: The ai-augmented thinker: Where does the human belong today?
When: September 23, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT
Who: Dr. James Stanger, Jill West
Where: ON24
Register Here

Hi CIN CompTIA Team! I hope you are doing well.

I am currently waiting for my CySA+ exam voucher.
While checking my email for updates, I discovered that I had previously been issued an A+ exam voucher.
Unfortunately, I was not aware that I had received it, and I only noticed it after it had already expired last month.

I understand this was completely my oversight, and I'm sorry for missing it.
I know the voucher has already expired, and I completely understand if it can't be reissued.
I just wanted to ask if there might be any chance of renewing or reissuing it. I would greatly appreciate your consideration and any assistance you can provide.

Thank you so much!

Hi-

I am about to start our next A+ cohort. There's someone in there who took the 1101/1102 already back in 2024. In our bootcamps, we give the vouchers out with the classes and prep them hard to pass. This guy has some kind of degree in the field, and I think in his own country where he's from (I think it's India), he's worked in this field in some capacity. I have not started teaching yet, but I've seen some really weird, questionable conversations in the Teams chat- where he seems to present himself as an authority on all things IT, especially Security+ (he does not have anything other than A+ and he took a course on CCNA and got a certificate of completion). I feel like he's a bit prideful and will be a handful as well. And he does a lot of pushback with the organization who runs the bootcamp as well. He will be a firecracker!

Anyway, based on how he writes, the level of writing he has doesn't seem mature. But my bootcamp thinks that if he doesn't want to retake the 1201/1202, or do the CertMaster CE, perhaps he could do the industry experience (assuming he gets a job) or do this last part: Publish relevant articles, white papers, blog posts, or participate in recognized industry activities. I just don't see anyone who doesn't have writing experience being waved through to having their certification renewed. Is this pretty common? We are trying to decide which way to push him over the next couple of days. He's proven to be quite the arguer when presented with a situation he doesn't like or want to do!

Thanks!

DLRoss

To my fellow members of the CompTIA Instructor Network community,

If you're looking for ways to introduce enterprise computing, hybrid cloud, cybersecurity, and large-scale transaction processing concepts into your curriculum, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

The 𝗜𝗕𝗠 𝗭 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝟮 runs from 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, and is designed to help educators bring IBM Z and mainframe technologies into the classroom.

What you'll get:
15-week structured learning program
IBM Z and mainframe skills development
Self-paced learning with expert-led sessions
Classroom-ready teaching resources
Recognition as an IBM Z Educator

Key dates:
Applications Opened: June 15, 2026 (replay here: https://shorturl.at/WjIu9)
Applications Close: August 26, 2026
Program Kickoff: September 10, 2026
Program Ends: December 18, 2026
Recognition Ceremony: January 7, 2027

As technology educators, we play an important role in preparing students for the skills that enterprises continue to rely on today. IBM Z remains a critical platform across banking, insurance, government, healthcare, and many of the world's largest organizations.

If you're interested in expanding your teaching portfolio and exposing students to enterprise computing, I encourage you to take a look.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://ibm.biz/ibmz-ee2026

Hello, fellow CINers!

Since we don't have a subforum for SecAI+ (and I don't believe we need one since SecAI+ is a Security 'expansion' certification), I wanted to post this here.

I've been a flashcard user and developer forever. I've always given my students pointers to flashcards I've developed. This past year I've soured on the web-based flashcard application that I had been paying for and using. After looking at several alternatives, I chose Brainscape. Why Brainscape and not something else? I've used Quizlet for years, but its flashcard capabilities haven't really changed. Instead, they seem to focus on other aspects of gamification and different audiences (school-age children and learner groups). The open-source solution is Anki, but I found it exposed a lot of capabilities, and it was hard for someone who just wanted to study with my decks to get started. I've also been using Kahoots, but it feels like they abandoned flashcards and went headfirst into gamification for groups of learners.

I've developed and now deploy flashcards in Brainscape, using their web interface as well as on Apple iOS and Android. It all works.

I've published my SecAI+ flashcards, and you can try them out by clicking here. I'd appreciate any feedback on these decks. Thanks!

Brian

Hi
I enjoyed the recent session on CySA+. Great sessions indeed.
When will the Exam Voucher for CySA+ be available?
Looking forward...,.

I'm waiting for CompTIA SecOT+. Critical Infrastructure Security. I would like also to get any additional info about.

I am excited to share that I have successfully earned the CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-004) certification!

A sincere thank you to CompTIA and the CompTIA Instructor Network (CIN) for providing the Train-the-Trainer (TTT) series and the exam voucher, making this achievement possible.

Special thanks to @Nick Pierce , the CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-004) instructor, for the excellent training, and to @Stephen Schneiter for the support throughout the journey.

Looking forward to applying these skills and continuing to grow in cybersecurity.

Join us for the new CompTIA Expansion Series certification launch for AutoOps+ V1! Our guest instructor, @Tyler Harris, will lead us through the six-session series covering the exam objectives and provide hands on examples as you strengthen your DevOps skills pertaining to cybersecurity. We will discuss how to cover the content with students and suggest various labs to let students gain hands-on experience as they prepare for certification.

CompTIA AutoOps+ validates your skills to automate, secure, and optimize IT operations across cloud and hybrid environments. As part of CompTIA’s new Expansion Series, AutoOps+ is designed to augment your core IT competencies with specialized expertise in automation, scripting, and infrastructure management. Gain hands-on experience to bridge traditional IT roles with modern DevOps practices.

What: CIN TTT Series: AutoOps+ V1
When: June 23rd - July 9th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Who: Tyler Harris, Instructor, ARIMA Consulting, LLC
Where: ON24
Register Here

I am excited to share that I have successfully earned the CompTIA SecAI+ Certification (CY0-001) with a score of 868, well above the passing score of 600.
This achievement is the result of 2-3 months of focused preparation, learning, and hands-on practice in the areas of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.
Through this journey, I gained valuable knowledge in:

• AI-powered threat detection and security operations
• Securing AI and machine learning systems
• Risk assessment and incident response
• Security analytics and threat intelligence
• Governance, compliance, and ethical AI practices

A heartfelt thank you to my colleagues, mentors, and everyone who supported and encouraged me throughout this learning journey.
I'm excited to apply these skills in real-world environments and continue growing at the intersection of AI and Cybersecurity.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7490064208525529088/

I just go through the CySA V4 Slides, again after the TTT,
but dear, are they getting bad..
Graphics that in that size are unreadable, lot of information that is wrong or outdated.
Like WSUS at some point.
Ebook is even worse..
It still says: Twitter (since 2023 is it X).
No Chapter Numbering in the Index.
And then often this:

Examine a Forensic Drive Image with Autopsy
For guidance in using interactives in Heretto, refer to the Style Guide Documentation Heretto for Video.

and it says: 6604 Pages...
( i do not list all my findings here)

I start to update and correct the Slides now, and will improve then maybe later again,
but as they are ootb: not good..

It is not only CompTIA, but the AI Generated Content is really worse for Courseware Content.

My CloudNetX expires on August 9, 2027. There are no higher CompTIA certs that renew the certification. There are no non-CompTIA certs that offer full or partial CEUs. You can only apply webinars for 20 of the required 75 CEUs. Are there any realistic options for the rest of the CEUs or do I have to wait until the next version comes out and pass it again?

CompTIA doesn't seem to have a very good renewal path for CloudNetX or any of the Data pathway certifications.

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).

The semester starts next week. I will be using the Security+ Learn + Labs in lieu of Security Pro CertMaster (as it will be phased out by next July) and my students purchase the bundle withe voucher and take their exam at the end of Spring semester. I just found out that Security+ v8 will be released this November and the Security+ v7 exam will retire in Mid May 2027. So, I have two questions:

1. If my students purchase the SY0-701 exam voucher next week will they be able to apply to the SY0-801 exam when it is released next May?
2. Would you advice the students to take the SY0-701 or SY0-801 (assuming both are available in mid May)?

-MB

How to extend the courseware expiry date on the CertMaster platform?

Hi Everyone!

CompTIA Instructors needed​

Interested instructors, please send an email directly to [email protected] with cv, availability, expected hourly rate, and subject "CompTIA Instructor needed".

Thanks,
Nicolas Parodi

Didn't receive the Certmaster Key for AutoOpS+ CIN. Received the exam voucher. It was not provided during the session in materials section. Can someone please advise?

I'm excited to share that this session was so awesome that I'm waiting for the recorded version so I ca watch it again! It's that valuable. If you haven't signed up for the course, do it now. You won't regret it. The presenter, Jill West, is top-notch. We are honored to have her at CIN.

I would like to review again

Hi, all.
My community college is seeking an experienced cybersecurity professional with a current CISSP license to develop curriculum (with the possibility of later teaching) a CISSP prep course. Please reach out to [email protected] for details.
Thank you!

I've been diggin into the new Office Pro v.9 and see that some of the content that was previously in the normal unit like Microsoft Word, is now under "Word Advanced."
I'm wondering if others are teaching some or all of the advanced content? I want my students to know enough to pass the MS Office certification exam.
TIA!

In the Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Forums recently a trainer too us through the saga of his breaking the exam rules and being blocked from testing for a period of time (possibly two years). While this specific case was about Microsoft exams, I feel it is important that we all know the importance of following the exam rules... especially when we are taking Remote-Proctored exams instead of going into an testing centre.

I wrote this article about the incident: https://garvis.ca/2026/06/29/exam-rules/

Folks, the rules are clear, and when you register you will be told what they are. Whether this is your first or your hundredth exam, take the time to review the rules and make sure you can abide by them. For instance (a big one, and in this case the reason behind the issue): Touch screens are forbidden. Your proctor will see second monitors and make sure you disconnect them, but they will not see that your screen is a touch screen. That is on you to know.

I am happy that I have never been accused of breaking the rules... but I confess, when I heard about this incident I went back and reread the rules to be sure I did not accidentally do so. I have not taken a CompTIA exam since, but will do the same... every single time.

Anyone heading to Las Vegas for Def Con August 6-9? If so, let's connect! I will be hanging around the Noob Village (https://www.noobvillage.org/) with @GingerHacker. I will actually be giving a workshop around SecAI+ on Friday at 12:00pm.

Be sure to reach out if attending! CINners unite!!