CompTIA – which is regarded as a global leader in IT certifications and training – issued a new SecurityX certification for cybersecurity professionals. This vendor-neutral cert continues efforts to strengthen the dynamic workforce by CompTIA.
SecurityX is the second of several new certifications included in CompTIA’s Xpert series, which was developed for IT professionals with multiple years of work experience looking to confirm expert-level knowledge of business-critical technologies. It follows DataX (professionals validating competency in data science), which was introduced earlier in 20224, with CloudNetX (advanced network and systems architects) to follow “in coming months.”
CompTIA’s SecurityX replaces CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+), and is designed for security architects and senior security engineers charged with leading and improving enterprise cybersecurity readiness. The name change, it was noted, does not affect the status of current CASP+ certification holders or the continuing education program.
It covers the technical knowledge and skills needed to architect, engineer, integrate and implement secure solutions across complex environments, to support a resilient enterprise while considering the impact of governance, risk and compliance requirements.
“CompTIA SecurityX is the only hands-on, performance-based certification for advanced practitioners — not managers — at the advanced skill level of cybersecurity,” said Patrick Lane, director, cybersecurity product management, CompTIA. “This program is the only certification on the market that qualifies technical leaders to assess cyber readiness within an enterprise, and design and implement the proper solutions to ensure the organization is ready for the next attack.”
SecurityX is compliant with ISO/ANSI 17024 standards and maps to DCWF work roles used by U.S. DoD Directive 8140.03M.
All certifications in the CompTIA Xpert Series are complemented with CertMaster Perform, which fills specific knowledge gaps rather than devoting time to already mastered materials. Learners are assessed at the beginning and throughout the learning process, focusing on key skills and tasks that are essential for an expert to know and understand. The SecurityX CAS-005 learning product will upgrade to CertMaster Perform, which focuses on key hands-on security architect and senior security engineer skills within live environments. All of the Xpert series products will focus on more advanced, high-level hands-on skills using live labs.
CertMaster Perform for SecurityX assumes that the person who is taking the course already has years of experience in the fields of security architecture and senior security engineering. CertMaster Perform is designed to fill holes in knowledge rather than spend time on topics they already know. Learners will be assessed at the beginning of and throughout the learning process with a focus on key skills and tasks that are essential for an expert to know and understand.
Additional new features include:
- Virtual machine labs, including challenge labs to cover each exam domain.
- Demonstration videos to cover key topics from the course.
- Podcast videos with cybersecurity professionals in the field.
- Assessment content in CertMaster Perform and CertMaster Practice.
Interactive activities.
