• To ensure you get the most out of your CIN membership and stay connected with the latest updates, we are asking all members to update their community profiles. Please take a few moments to log in and: • Complete all sections of your profile • Review your current information for accuracy • Enter an alternative email address if desired (CIN requires your valid business email address for your training organization). Keeping your profile up to date helps us better serve you, ensures your account is correctly linked with CompTIA’s CRM, streamlines processes, enhances communication, and guarantees you never miss out on valuable CIN opportunities. Thank you for taking this important step! step!

Data Analytics Pathway - certification renewal

Has anyone heard if CompTIA plans to give full or partial credit for CEU renewal by passing a higher-level CompTIA data analytics certification?

Will DataSys+ give full or partial credit for CEUs for Data+?

Will DataX give full or partial credit for CEUs for DataSys+ and/or Data+?

CompTIA Cloud+ Resource List

I've put together a curated list of free and paid resources to help us prepare our students for the CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-004 exam. It includes links to valuable labs, courses, and reading materials. Feel free to check it out and share with your classes!

Attachments

  • CompTIA Cloud.pdf
    244 KB · Views: 91

Difficulty accessing Instructor resources

Hey there, CINners!

I'm running into some trouble accessing the Instructor Resources, for the Test Out Office Pro. I tried accessing them, but it 'refuses to connect'. It doesn't seem to be an internet issue.

Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Attachments

  • Teaching Aids error.JPG
    Teaching Aids error.JPG
    22.7 KB · Views: 18
  • Teaching Aids 1.JPG
    Teaching Aids 1.JPG
    28.3 KB · Views: 18

Problem with PBQ for CertMaster Learn A+ Core 2?

Hi there

Just out of curiosity, is anyone else getting this error message for the PBQ titled, "Core 2 PBQ: Supporting OS/App Installations Performance-based Question"

I've tried contacting CompTIA Customer Care but received the general "clear your cookies and cache" response. A few of my students have also brought this to my attention so I'm wondering if this is affecting all users.

PBQ Error.jpg
  • Like
Reactions: precious

Addressing the Skills Gap: Bridging Theory and Practice in IT Education

One challenge we face as instructors is bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world IT skills. For example, students might excel in simulations but struggle with hands-on troubleshooting in real environments. How do you address this skills gap in your courses? I’ve incorporated more real-world scenarios into labs, but I’m curious about other techniques.

ChatGPT Privacy: What You Need to Know Before You Type

ChatGPT’s Footer​

In a recent ChatGPT session, I noticed the footer “Don’t share sensitive info. Chats may be reviewed and used to train our models. Learn more.” Not sure if they recently added it, or if our ChatGPT friends have put that there from the beginning. Regardless, I am writing about sharing sensitive information in AI prompts today. My example is of ChatGPT but I feel this advice applies to all AI interactions.
AI numbers moving through the brain.gif

Why You Should Keep Personal Info Out of ChatGPT, and All AI Engines​

Keep ePHI (electronic protected health information) out of AI prompts.
When using ChatGPT or any AI engine, it’s important to be careful about what information you share. You should avoid putting personal details or health information in your prompts. This helps protect your privacy and keeps sensitive data safe. ChatGPT uses the information you give it to create responses. While the company behind ChatGPT, OpenAI, says they try to keep data private, that is a beautiful plan IMO. Here’s why:

  1. Your conversations might be reviewed by AI trainers to improve the system.
  2. De-identified information could be used for research.
  3. There’s a chance your input could appear in responses to other users.
OpenAI encrypts the data you enter, but they don’t sign special agreements to protect health information (ePHI). This means it’s best to assume anything you type into ChatGPT could potentially be seen by others.

Protecting Your Privacy When Using ChatGPT​

To use AI engines safely:
  • Don’t enter any personal details like names, addresses, or phone numbers.
  • Avoid sharing health information or financial data.
  • Be careful not to include details that could identify you or others.
  • Remember that deleting prompts later isn’t always possible for regular users.
If you’re using ChatGPT for work, especially in healthcare or finance, it’s extra important to follow these guidelines. Your company might have rules about what information can be shared with outside services.

By being careful about what you share, you can enjoy using AI while keeping your personal information secure. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting private data online.

More​

AI ain’t so tough. See https://cybersafetynet.net/category/ai/ to help understand and use Artificial intelligence.

With CompTIA rebranding CASP+ & ITF, will they also rebrand A+?

With Comptia rebranding the CASP+ exam to the SecurityX exam, (with the feedback being questionable at best, as per Login to view embedded media , Login to view embedded media , and Login to view embedded media ), and ITF being rebranded as Tech+ ( https://www.comptia.org/blog/comptia-tech-vs-comptia-itf-for-it-basics-whats-the-difference), is it time for the CompTIA A+ course to be rebranded CompTIA ITsupport+? or Support+?

I know the A+ has been around for ~30years, and has a history, but the A+ description doesn't really explain what the course does... with the other fundamentals being about Networking and Security, changing the A+ certification to be more descriptive of what the course covers, might make it more recognizable to HR recruiters and IT managers.

Just something to ponder
  • Like
Reactions: precious

Network+ N10-009 - Course Pacing

Hello CIN Team,

Firstly, thank you Stephen and Don for a fantastic TTT series. I really enjoyed it.

I finally got my hands on the instructor resources for this new version of Network+ and I was looking at the pacing guide. I'm interested in the 5 day pacing which is what my academy is delivering courses to. I noticed that the 5 day sheet in the pacing guide has you doing 20 hour per day for 5 days :) I also noted that there were around 160 short labs for the learners to do which aren't part of the pacing. I thought the latest Sec+ (701) planner did a pretty good job of breaking things out into what to do in class and how to pace over 5 days. Does anyone have any recommendation on teaching over 5 days or is there a better planner in the works somewhere ?

Thanks
Rasheed

AI-Powered Suno Transforms Left-Brain Trainers into Music Creators

Suno Revolutionizes Music Creation for Analytical People Like You and Me​

Suno is an AI-powered music creation platform that offers significant potential for businesses across various industries. This innovative tool streamlines content creation, reduces costs and provides unique branding opportunities. Left-brainers can use Suno. After all, the music Suno gives you comes from your prompts.

neon-colorful-pianomodern-bright-piano.jpeg

Getting Started with Suno​

Start by creating your account.

  • Visit suno.ai
  • Click “Sign Up”
  • Choose from Discord, Google, or Microsoft login options
  • Complete the registration process
  • Access your new Suno dashboard

Songs I Created​

Can you believe a left-brainer like me actually created music? My Suno screen name is Zeus Lives in California.

With the prompt “A synthesizer-driven song to go with scuba diving video in the Caribbean. Slow, mysterious and refreshing. Mix in water sounds,” I created at two instrumentals, Vacation (Time to Turn Off Your Phone) at https://suno.com/song/cac22c27-fd70-4ec8-a5fc-92c7003ee78c and Dive In (You Know You Want to be Here) at https://suno.com/song/365ee095-78bf-4068-8a15-bf45e69a9d93.

With the prompt “A bright and slow techno pop song about viewing aurora borealis alone at midnight. Spatial, mysterious and galactic,” I created two instrumentals, Bright Midnight Lights, at https://suno.com/song/a0e3d033-1aa3-4ab4-9d72-1a98439accb6 and Midnight Lights at My Piano, at https://suno.com/song/1532f546-36c8-4acc-b433-71e2520df0fc.

With the prompt, “A loud, powerful rock n roll song about racing classic cars and one of the drivers crashes. Dual guitars. Strong male singer. Loud guitar solo,” I created two rockers. The first one is Thunder Road (Feel it in My Bones) at https://suno.com/song/5563e8e0-8728-465e-a859-2a5030d87bb6 and Twisted Metal Again on Thunder Road, at https://suno.com/song/5413eebf-f5cd-4f71-b640-279a21d5a653.

Why Two at a Time?​

Suno receives your prompt and generates two songs. Although you get 50 credits per day, each prompt creates two songs at 5 credits each. Let me save you the math. Five prompts per day gets you 10 songs per day.

Creating Your First 5 Songs​

  • Click “Create” on the dashboard
  • Enter a description for your desired song
  • Toggle “Instrumental” if lyrics aren’t needed
  • Click “Create” to generate two song versions
  • Provide feedback using thumbs up/down icons
  • Repeat four more times

You Can Maximize Suno to Meet Your Tastes​

Customizing Music Style

  • Include specific genre keywords in your description (e.g., “upbeat corporate pop”)
  • Experiment with style combinations (e.g., “modern jazz fusion for product launch”)
  • Utilize Suno’s extensive style list to align with your brand identity

Tailoring Vocal Characteristics

  • Describe desired voice traits in your prompt (e.g., “professional male voice for company anthem”)
  • Use descriptive terms like “authoritative,” “friendly,” or “energetic” to match your brand voice
  • Adjust prompts based on results to fine-tune the output

Business Applications

  • Marketing and Advertising: Create custom jingles or background music for commercials and social media content
  • Brand Identity: Develop a unique sonic brand with consistent musical themes across all touchpoints
  • Content Creation: Generate background music for corporate videos, podcasts, or presentations
  • Event Planning: Produce custom music for corporate events, product launches, or trade shows
  • Customer Experience: Create on-hold music or in-store playlists that align with your brand

Cost-Effective Solution

  • Free tier: Up to 10 songs per day
  • Paid subscriptions: Increased daily song limits for higher volume needs

Best Practices for Business Users​

  • Consistency: Develop a “musical style guide” to ensure all Suno-generated content aligns with your brand
  • Experimentation: Test different prompts and styles to find the perfect fit for your business needs
  • Feedback Loop: Regularly gather input from team members and customers to refine your music strategy
  • Legal Considerations: Understand Suno’s licensing terms to ensure proper usage in commercial applications
  • Integration: Incorporate Suno-generated music into your existing content creation workflow
By leveraging Suno’s AI-driven music creation capabilities, you can enhance your brand presence, streamline content production, and create unique customer experiences. As with any new technology, the key to success lies in strategic implementation and continuous optimization to align with your specific business goals.

More​

AI ain’t so tough. See https://cybersafetynet.net/category/ai/ to help understand and use Artificial intelligence.

  • Question
No longer able to access the previous CIN TTT series: CASP+ CAS-003

Hello,

I previously used the following link to access the CASP+ CAS-003 TTT series:
https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/eh/1119137/category/8762/casp-ttt/

Recently, I tried to access it and received an error message saying, "This page no longer exists." Is there a way for me to access this series? Although it was a previous version, I found some videos particularly helpful and would like to refer to them.

Thank you,
Sukanya
  • Wow
Reactions: jarrelrivera

  • Question
Issue with Session 4 Link in PenTest+ PT0-002 TTT Series

Hello,

I am using the following link to access the PenTest+ PT0-002 TTT series:
https://gateway.on24.com/wcc/eh/1119137/category/100352/pentest-pt0-002-ttt

However, when I clicked on the link for session 4, it directed me to session 3 instead. Could you please fix this issue?

Thanks,
Sukanya

CompTIA EMEA Member and Partner Conference 2024

The CompTIA EMEACon is coming up this month in London October 21-22! I hope to see a lot of CINners at the event! It is going to be a great time!

I am very excited to present with fellow CINner @Kwabena Fred on Monday, October 21st. Fred and I will present "Certification Roadmap: Career Progression and Intersections." We will discuss the various career pathways and how certifications will cross pathways. This is going to be a fun talk!

If you would like to hear more about the new CompTIA Expert series of certifications and their implications for instructors, I will also present a session on them on Monday afternoon. Be sure to check out the session "Product Roadmap: Expert Certifications."

Are you attending? Let's Sync up!

1727891098311.png

TestOut and CertMaster Perform Simulations the Same as the Custom Quiz Labs ~ Why?

Greetings. Over the past year, I redeveloped a few of our IT courses using TestOut (ITF+, A+, Network+, and Security+). We plan on moving these over to the new CertMaster Perform when they become available, such as with Network+ and Tech+.

The major concern I've had, and still have, is that the simulations in the courseware are the exact same as the custom quiz labs. I am finding that students go through the simulations in the courseware, score the labs, copy the steps provided, then take the custom quiz lab (we call them lab assignments) and use the steps provided. I don't understand why CompTIA doesn't make the custom quiz labs different from the simulations.

I am at a loss. I even had a student tell me they were the same and it was a waste of their time to practice, copy the steps, and then complete it again for a grade. :rolleyes:

  • Question
Comptia tech+ still not available?

Hi Guys, I/we are in a bit of a bind as I am due to start delivering this course from the 23rd of this month.

With the courseware date being pushed back to yesterday (04/07 UK) from its intended August release date the time for prep was going to be ok, but after its no show yesterday I am a little concerned, especially as I do not have access to the pre-release materials to prepare myself with.

The reason time is so tight is that I fly out on our honeymoon tomorrow afternoon and do not return until the day before I am due to deliver it, all would have been fine, but now...... :(


Can we please have an update as to when it is actually going live, or can someone who has the pre-release PDF so I can read it on the flight please share it

Thank you

Filter