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  1. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Security X CEU's

    I recently gained instructor access to the TestOut Platform, so I haven’t completed a full course there yet—unlike CertMaster, where I’ve finished several courses either as exam prep or to earn CEUs. Does anyone know if completing the SecurityX training (or any other course) on TestOut provides...
  2. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Cloud Essentials+ retires on September 25, 2025

    I think one of the challenges with creating a full AI+ cert is that AI evolves so fast that by the time a curriculum is finalized and the cert launched, parts of it may already be obsolete. One of the most valuable skill right now is knowing how to interact with AI tools effectively—especially...
  3. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Cloud Essentials+ retires on September 25, 2025

    Thank you Gregg, you made my day! This means it will be easier to get the certificate and not worry about extra CEU's
  4. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Pearsonvue test center? You got one?

    I prefer online testing. As long as you read and follow all the instructions, everything runs smoothly. Even when I had an issue with the QR code, it was easy to use the alternative options to upload my ID and room photos. It might feel a bit tricky the first time, but you get used to it...
  5. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Cloud Essentials+ retires on September 25, 2025

    Another cert I’ve never heard of. Same thing will probably happen with the AI Essentials — I used the TestOut material to build a course on new trends in technology, hoping it would cover the full 8 weeks. In the end, I had to split it: 4 weeks of AI and 4 weeks of cyber psychology. Everyone who...
  6. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Cloud Essentials+ retires on September 25, 2025

    Wow, honestly, the first time I've heard of it, I'm sure CompTIA will come up with a Banana+ certification if the trend moves to using bananas to hold server room doors open :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
  7. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Cloud Essentials+ retires on September 25, 2025

    I have to agree with that. I took the certification only because, at the time, I was working for a company that provided comprehensive HIPAA compliance assessments for healthcare providers, specifically focused on their IT infrastructure. They hired me on the condition that I would sit for the...
  8. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Cloud Essentials+ retires on September 25, 2025

    I've always stuck with the most recognized certifications like A+, Network+, Server+, PenTest+, CySA+, and CASP+. Now, I just need to take SecurityX to renew. The only time I deviated from the standard, widely accepted certs was for the Healthcare IT certification—and we all know how that turned...
  9. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Xpert Series - DataX and CloudNetX

    Given all the insights shared here, I’ve decided to focus on renewing Security-X and Cloud+ in order to maintain all my current certifications. It doesn’t make much sense to take an exam that won’t fully satisfy the CEU requirements for lower-tier certifications. Many of the CompTIA exams have...
  10. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures

    Yes, it's covered on a few certifications like Tess explained. Also on the tests for those certifications you will get questions where you need to analyze and interpret scores, and prioritize which CVE to address first. Others might give you a scan report and ask what action to take next. You...
  11. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Ransomware in Rhode Island

    Money is a factor, but remember, if that budget is not well spent you will get breached. You need policies and governance, risk management, controls and auditing, operational management and contingency. If you don't focus on all 5 you will get breached, no matter how much money you spend. This...
  12. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Ransomware in Rhode Island

    One of the main problems in healthcare data breaches is the supply chain. You might spend a ton of money, but one of your suppliers don't (vendor, doctor, lab) they get hacked and if your system is configured to trust them you get on the loop of the breach. As I said, I'm studying this for my...
  13. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Ransomware in Rhode Island

    To grasp the magnitude of the issue, visit the HIPAA Breach Portal, where a big number of incidents are reported every month. My doctoral dissertation focuses on these data breaches, and I can assure you that many organizations are barely surviving because regulations are not enforced as...
  14. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Practical Users of Nmap

    Count me in!
  15. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Common Exam Pitfalls and How to Overcome Them

    1. Problem Based Scenarios: create a Packet Tracer file with configuration errors for them to fix. Stuff that aligns with the exam objectives. 2. Practice as many questions as possible, maybe 10-15 every day during class and 10-15 at home. 3. Case studies that align with objectives, now with AI...
  16. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Old CASP+ certs will be rebranded SecurityX on December 17, 2024

    Hope the rebranding comes with an extension of the certification expiry date....
  17. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Where is AI Essential's ?

    Yes, I've noticed that when students show me videos from whatever dude decided to a do a course and sell it for less than 10 bucks, a completely unethical move. I don't know why Udemy allows that? Maybe their QC is really low.... I direct the kids to the CompTIA academic store....
  18. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Where is AI Essential's ?

    I came across a preview of a course on Udemy claiming to cover CompTIA AI Fundamentals (the link was in the second post here). Honestly, I’m puzzled—CompTIA hasn’t even released an official course outline yet. My take? Dull, repetitive, and uninspired. I completely agree with Jason’s comment...
  19. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Use of VPN when using Windows

    Professor Chandler's question seems to lack clarity in this regard. If his focus was on OS-specific protocol handling, that should have been made explicit. In my response I just addressed the broader context of VPN functionality, which is consistent across platforms. The nuances of OS-specific...
  20. Jose A Ruiz Marquez

    Use of VPN when using Windows

    The operating system you use—whether Windows or Linux—doesn’t determine why you’d need a VPN. Rather, the choice of OS may affect which VPN tools or clients you decide to use. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure, encrypted “tunnel” over the public internet, allowing users to...