Special Event: Analyzing today’s attack surface: How AI is changing workflows in hybrid environments.

Hello CINners! We have a special virtual livestream event coming up just for you! CompTIA and Dr. James Stanger will be conducting a workshop at the AFCEA TechNetCyber Baltimore conference on May 7th, 2025.

During this session, Dr. Stanger will be joined by special guest Zach Vaughn of Vectra AI, Dr. Matt McFadden of GDIT, and Bill Newhouse of NIST for a discussion of how traditional IT and cybersecurity workflows and approaches are changing in the face of AI and Post-Quantum Computing. They will discuss topics such as:
  • Analyzing today's vulnerable tech footprint: The impact of Post-Quantum Cryptography and AI on how we do things today
  • AI: Hunter or hunted? A look at the attack lifecycle and today's hybrid environments - traditional and AI-based approaches
  • Migrating to post-quantum encryption
  • How AI and Post-Quantum are affecting traditional pen testing, analytics, and attack surface paradigms
  • A practical overview of post-quantum issues and readiness: What we've learned from past rollouts
  • Analyzing your problem surface for post-quantum readiness
  • Upskilling opportunities
We are pleased to offer this event to CIN members in conjunction with the AFCEA TechNet Baltimore conference attendees. Your participation will even include a Participation of Attendance certificate valid for two hours of CE credit for CompTIA certifications.

What: CIN TTT Series A+ Core 1 1202 10 sessions
When: May 7, 2025 12:30-2:30 PM Central Daylight Time
Who: Dr. James Stanger, Zach Vaughn, Dr. Matt McFadden, Bill Newhouse
Where: ON24

REGISTER HERE

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Cybersecurity World On Edge As CVE Program Prepares To Go Dark

On April 16, a foundational piece of the world’s cybersecurity infrastructure may quietly grind to a halt.

MITRE’s stewardship of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures program—a backbone of coordinated vulnerability disclosure for more than two decades—is facing an uncertain future as its U.S. Department of Homeland Security contract expires. Without confirmed renewal or replacement, the industry risks entering a period of dangerous opacity in vulnerability tracking.

For the cybersecurity community, this isn’t a minor bureaucratic lapse. It’s a five-alarm fire.

Two of my certs are good through 2031. I'm done retaking exams just because the version has changed.

My A+ and Network+ had expiration dates in 2028. This was due to my earning the CASP+ and then renewing it by passing the ISACA CISM.

I passed the fifth version of Network+, which extended my Net+ and A+ until 2031. My first Network+ certification was in 2005.

At this point, I don't really see the point of taking any of the certification exams again if I've already passed them. Especially if I've passed multiple versions already.

I didn't even study for the Net+ this time. Didn't even download the objectives. Just signed up and took it blind and passed easily. The exams don't change enough from one version to the next to justify constantly retaking them. Maybe 10%-15% changes, tops.

I'll just renew them with CEUs from now on because there is zero value to constantly retaking exams just because the version changes. They don't list the version number on the certificate. Just the date originally earned and the expiration date.

For the record, none of my clients require that I have the most current CISSP, CISM, CAPM, MS Azure, or any other certification. It makes no sense at all for me to retake any CompTIA exam that I've already passed before.

I've still got DataX and Linux+ left to pass, and then I'm done taking CompTIA exams.

CompTIA Tech+ Learn vs CompTIA Tech+ Labs

Moving from ITF to Tech+ in the Fall 2025.

Noticed CompTIA offers Tech+ Learn and Tech+ Labs.

I have instructor access to both.

I noticed in CompTIA Tech+ Learn there are labs. Of course, I have access to Tech+ Labs.

My question is do I need to purchase CompTIA Tech+ Learn and CompTIA Tech+ Labs for the labs to work? Is there any benefit in purchase CompTIA Tech+ Labs if my students already have CompTIA Tech+ Learn?

Thank you for any information you can provide.

Attachments

  • COMPTIA TECH+ QUESTION.pdf
    196.8 KB · Views: 15

CIN TTT Series - PenTest+ PT0-003

YES! It is time for our first TTT series of 2025! Join us for the PenTest+ series beginning Tuesday, January 21st! @Nicholas Pierce will lead this series, which consists of eight sessions covering the PenTest+ exam domains. Nick will teach the key cybersecurity concepts covered on the exam and conduct hands-on activities with key technology tools used by cybersecurity professionals. We will also discuss instructional strategies for presenting the concepts to students and best practices for implementing a PenTest+ course.

What: CIN TTT Series PenTest+ PT0-003 8 sessions
When: Jan 21, 2024, 6:00 - 8:00 PM Central Daylight Time, Tuesday and Thursday
Who: Nicholas Pierce
Where: ON24

REGISTER HERE
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  • Question
What are some good CEU resources for Security X (Formally CASP+)?

FED VTE was a great resource for most of the CompTIA cybersecurity and infrastructure exams (Security +, CySA+, Cloud+, Pentest+, and CASP+). With the discontinuation of FED VTE and migration to CISA, it's become a lot harder to find a "one stop shop" if you will of CEU's presented in that same way. The CISA website is vast, and the convergence of information from FED VTE is still ongoing so it's hard to locate a lot of the resources.

What are some of the other resources out there that are being utilized and referred to your students when it comes to CEU's for Security X?
  • Like
Reactions: precious

CertMaster Learn A+ Competency Assessments?

In the new CompTIA Learn A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Course Guide and Transition Mappings on page 4, the document addresses competency assessments available that instructors can use as a comprehensive, skills-based final exam for students in each core.

What are the specifics regarding this assessment? Where can instructors access assessment scores and certificates for our records? Is there a cost per student? Do students have to schedule themselves? Can they take the assessments in class? Any other details would be greatly appreciated! :) Thank you!
  • Like
Reactions: precious

Tech+ or A+ resources

Hi everyone! Back when we were in the Facebook group, several people shared resources (vocab sheets, hands-on labs, etc). I have made some for my class over the last year, especially since we switched to Tech+ but wondered if anyone would share items they have made this year for either Tech+ or A+?

Thank you!!
  • Like
Reactions: precious

  • Question
How can a university become a part of Academic Partner Network?

Hello Everyone.👋

I hope all is well. I'm a Sec+ certified cybersecurity teacher representing Baku Engineering University. We have been an Azerbaijan-based academic institution since 1997. We teach bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs well in our facilities. We would like to be an academic partner with CompTIA so that people can enjoy our partnership. We find it fitting for our labs, teachers, and students that a partnership would be available between us.

I have used multiple online resources that were advertised to be forms to apply for partnership but they were either completely unavailable(404) or unresponsive(no returns to my email). Can anyone help me in this regard? Like what is the correct process for applying to CompTIA’s Academic Partner Program? Is there any alternative contacts or regional representatives who could assist? Anyone who has been through this process is needed:)

Thank you in advance

  • Question
Cloud+ CV0-004 Labs in CertMaster Perform

Is anyone having issues with the labs in CertMaster Perform for the new Cloud+. I have several tickets open already. I'm sure the Test Out folks are rolling their eyes and saying "Oh no, not him again" :). However, I have already got 2 tickets escalated to the development team. At least I was able to use this is a real-world example of escalation when I was teaching troubleshooting to my class. It also seems like the servers a awfully busy during the morning hours. I took 7 minutes to load a lab that I was trying to teach about this morning.

Does anyone have any questions, comments, or similar experiences? Please reply to this thread.
  • Love
Reactions: precious

Advice for people soliciting for trainers

If you want to get some responses to your solicitations for trainers, please remember to do the following:

1. Be specific in what you're looking for. Is the assignment contract work, part-time, or full-time? Do you require that the trainer be certified in the latest version, or just have an active certification that is maintained through CEUs? Do you require a degree? Does the assignment require TS/SCI clearance? Is the assignment onsite or virtual? Do you want local trainers, or will you accept distant or even overseas trainers? In which time zone will the training take place? In what language will the training be conducted?

2. Post a pay range for your budget. It saves you time and it saves the trainers time. If you have a limited budget, there may be trainers who will bid on the job. But more experienced trainers with high demand won't get tied up for an assignment that ultimately they won't accept.

3. Respond in a timely manner. If you post on this site, but take a week to respond to questions or comments, don't be surprised if you see little interest in the assignment.

CompTIA 2024 Partner Pricing

So, this email went out today:

Dear CompTIA Authorized Partner,

CompTIA is committed to providing our Partners with innovative, best-in-class training and the most current, high-quality certification exams. To continue to provide you and your learners with excellent experiences and leading services and solutions, effective February 1, 2024, we are increasing pricing for Authorized Partners.

Updated pricing allows us to improve industry standards, expand our services and solutions, and unlock the potential of even more learners.

A follow-up communication will be sent out on February 1, 2024 to direct to the latest Partner price sheets.

Please connect with your CompTIA business development manager with any questions or submit a help request if you need further assistance.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Sincerely,
Your CompTIA Authorized Partner Program Team

What does this mean for exam pricing?

  • Poll
ComTIA A+ TTT Session 1

Will you be teaching the new A+ in the next year

  • Yes

    Votes: 31 83.8%
  • No

    Votes: 1 2.7%
  • Maybe

    Votes: 5 13.5%

Last night’s session was very good Lyn did a superb job leading the TTT if you missed it then use the catch up option. The future of A+ is changing and needs to reflect what is used in business today.

  • Question
How can i get training

Dear Instructors,
I'm on of the Certified Instructor in my Organisation. I got security+ training contents and i successfully certified , started to deliver the certification to our students. Now we have multiple enquiry for other certification. But when i tried to self certified first then the BDM saying now all material delivery is freeze so i didn't get any vouchers. Is it correct or is I was wrong? I m confused please clarify the truth

  • Question
PDF Files for A+ and Security+ Course Outlines?

Hi All,

Are there any PDF Files containing the course outlines for A+ (both cores) and Security+? I've tried searching the web and the best that I could get were the Exam Objectives Mapping PDF Files. I don't have a particular need to know where each topic in the exam can be found in the courseware material, but getting an official document of the table of contents (just the table of contents) would suffice. Does such a document exist?

Thanks

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