Booked the wrong exam! Security+

I accidently booked one of my students for Security+ SY0-701, but he wanted to write 601 while it's still available.
(And that's the content he's studied for)
We run our PearsonVue test center, so I think there is an option to cancel the order.
But I'm worried that the voucher will not be available again. (or will it be usable again so I can book him for the correct exam?)
Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks!


EDIT: I phoned pearsonvue and they were going to get me a new voucher code. While on the phone, I cancelled the order, and then re-tried to book with the correct exam, and the voucher code worked again! So all is good.

Free VMs with Walk Throughs:

Greetings,
I publish a couple of times a month on the page below. I try to make sure the skills emphasized are aligned with Sec+/PenTest+, but are on level with what one might expect on an exam like the OSCP. I do teach cybersecurity certification classes and I find that labs like these work really well for individuals who want to go beyond the test training, apply what they are learning, and develop notes that are easily referenced when tackling challenges on sites like Hack-the-Box.

Perhaps someone out there will find these labs useful either individually or in the classroom!
https://medium.com/@josh.beck2006

  • Question
CONTENT QUESTION

SINCE THE A+ 2001 CORE1 SCSI HAS BE IN THE IN THE Curriculum and the 220-1101 while it has appeared both the 2001 and 220-1101 as some who also goes out to clients to sort their Desktop PCS I am yet I see one any where in the field once SATA came I am yet a physical with SCSI,

The last question I got book and the objectives covers IDE 40 pin cable. I think back I have had to work on most PCs with Sata , So I dont recall getting a machine to fix with scsi and IDE 40pin,

Can any share where we have these and don't make use of this ? in my filed work with desktops?

thanks
Peter
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CompTIA Exam Discount Codes?

In the past Academic Partners were able to receive discount codes for the CompTIA exams. However, now we cannot get the codes. Trying to figure out why. Any attempt to get answers, well.... there are none. In the previous year, requesting the codes only took a day or two. Now, we have been requesting for weeks and still no resolution. We have numerous students waiting to test and without the discount codes, financially, there is no way for them to test otherwise. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Do you teach students that encoding is the same as encrypting?

Topic 3A in the 701 course uses "encoding" and "encryption" as synonyms. I think students should understand the difference between the two terms.

I would appreciate knowing what other instructors think about these terms. Does encoding = encryption?

I would also appreciate feedback from a CompTIA SME. What is CompTIA's definition of encoding, and CompTIA's definition of encryption?


My notes on the use of "encoding" in Topic 3A [edited 2/15/2024 to distinguish my opinions from the CompTIA course content]:

The Official CompTIA Security+ Instructor Guide (Exam SY0-701)

Lesson 3: Explain Cryptographic Solutions, Topic 3A, Slide 4

CompTIA content:

"Cryptographic Concepts
Encryption and decryption—encoding and decoding
Plaintext is the unencoded message
Ciphertext is the coded message"

I think this content is misleading, unhelpful, or inaccurate because:
Students need to learn the difference between encoding and encryption. This slide should not confuse encryption and decryption with encoding and decoding. If encoding is mentioned at all, the slide should point out that encoding is not cryptography or encryption.

Lesson 3: Explain Cryptographic Solutions, Topic 3A, Page 38, first paragraph

CompTIA content:

“A cryptographic algorithm is the particular operations performed to encode or decode data.”

I think this content is not accurate because:
Encoding is not the same as encrypting.
Encryption uses a cryptographic key as one of the inputs to a cryptographic algorithm. Encoding does not use a cryptographic algorithm or require the use of a cryptographic key. Geeks for Geeks has an explanation of the difference.
One example of encoding is the use of ASCII codes to represent letters of the alphabet. No cryptographic algorithm or cryptographic key is used.

Page 38, second paragraph:

CompTIA content:

‘Cryptography, which literally means “secret writing,” is the art of making information secure by encoding it. ‘

I think this content is not accurate because:
Cryptography is “transformation of data in order to hide their semantic content, prevent their unauthorized use, or prevent their undetected modification.” Encryption and hashing can provide this confidentiality or integrity, however encoding does not.
Using ASCII or Morse code are examples of encoding; however they are not examples of cryptography.

Lesson 11: Enhance Application Security Capabilities | Topic 11A, page 317, Question 2

CompTIA content:

“the session key does the actual data encoding”

I think this content is not accurate because:
First, the answer should say “encryption,” not “encoding.”
Second, the key does not do the actual encryption. The encryption algorithm does the encryption, using the key as one of the inputs.

CIN Instructor Toolbox: Practical AI for Instructors

During the last TTT series, John Guise was talking to me about how he was using AI to help with lesson plans and how his organization is adopting AI from an instructor's point of view. I thought it was very interesting and have asked John if he would be will to share and demonstrate some of the practices they are adopting and utilizing as they develop courses for their students. Join us for our first CIN Instructor Toolbox of 2024 as we take a look at how instructors can utilize AI.

What: two-hour webinar highlighting tools and best practices for implementing AI in your training environment.
When: Wednesday February 28, 2024, 1:00 p.m. CST
Where: ON24
Who: John Guise, ECPI University

Register Now

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4486710/09C0D5E67B6F30021526550AD7534FC3
CIN ON24 Banner-Toolbox series SM 320X70.png

*** 701 PASSED ***

Team, I sat and passed the new 701 Security+ exam. Very nice exam! I only used TestOut, which I had access to via TTT. TestOut covers all and beyond with this exam. I thought the PBQs were fair and fun to do. I had plenty of time to answer the multiple-choice questions, review flagged questions, tackle the PBQs and review them.

As long as you know the testing objectives, you should be good to go! I hope this helps those that are pursuing this exam.

~Russ

Assisted Lab: Using Virtualization Private Switch and External Switch procedure Mismatch

After Configuring the Private Switch immediately the procedure tells you to configure an External Switch and then you are instructed to go to the Virtual Machine and do IP config command. When command is done it does not show any IP address yet the following instruction tells you to put an IP address that you find. Then later instructions flow to change the Network Adapter based on the specified IP Addresses. and then tells you that the IP address will not show up, later to change to external switch. so confusing for someone. Did you meet the same challenge.

However based on My experience in working with Virtual Machines, I knew what was going on and managed to work around.

Instructors Needed in the Maryland (USA) Area

QUANTUM INTRINSIX is looking for instructors (USA only) that can teach various CompTIA courses. It is preferred that the instructors reside near the Maryland / DC / VA area. However, QUANTUM INTRINSIX would be willing to work with instructors that can deliver remotely. The instructor would be a 1099 contractor. If you are interested, please send a private message to us via Inbox.

Philadelphia Area Adjunct Instructor Needed - A+ (1101 and 1102) - Fall 2024

Hello,

Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA, is currently seeking an adjunct instructor (or instructors) for Fall 2024 interested in teaching in-person Introduction to Hardware and Perpherials (A+ 1101) and Applied Operating Systems (A+ 1102). The courses are scheduled to run MWF and are in 1-hour blocks. Time is to be determined. There is an opportunity to teach one day a week synchronously/asynchronously. A Master Degree or Higher is necessary.

Opportunities for teaching in Spring 2025 may also be available for Database Design/Implementation and Database Security. Both courses have the potential for DataSys+ integration.

Please private message your resume if any of these courses are of interest.

Thank you!
Andrea

Prepping Students for Tech Roles (CompTIA Volley)

Last year I was able to see Brad Chamberlain from Maricopa High School in Arizona present at ACTE CareerTech Vision 2023 in Las Vegas. Brad was part of a panel of presenters talking about instructional delivery methodologies for students. Brad has unique approach to helping students get ready for entering the workforce buy running a student-led business called 24PinTech where students have the opportunity to gain real world expereince troubleshooting and servicing computers.

Earlier this week Brad appeared on CompTIA Volley and talked about his program. I thought I would share the podcast here for anyone show might be interested. Login to view embedded media
Do you offer something similar? Share you comments here.

Networking Concepts in Security+

So, here is a question for those that teach Security+ before Network+. How do you handle networking concepts that are included in Security+ objectives? Do you just cover them as you come across them, or do you offer a basic networking modular component as an add on to Security+? Thanks in advance! Inquiring minds want to know! ?

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?

Viewing Exam PBQs in the Pearson Vue Tool

When taking a CompTIA certification exam using the Pearson Vue exam platform, does anyone recall whether you must CLOSE the scenario window to see the entire PBQ?
A student is asking and I don't recall precisely.
(In contrast, you MUST close the scenario window in CertMaster.)
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