New CompTIA A+ Certification

Message from CompTIA
CompTIA A+ certified professionals are proven problem solvers. They support today’s core technologies from security to cloud to data management and more. CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for launching IT careers into today’s digital world. CompTIA Certification is trusted by employers around the world to identify the go-to person in end point management & technical support roles. A+ certified professionals identify issues and problem solve more effectively than those without certification.

Two Exams: Core-1 (220-1001) and Core-2 (220-1002)
Release date: January 2019

More information URL: https://certification.comptia.org/certifications/a

Job Titles
CompTIA A+ Certification leads to the following job titles: • Service Desk Analyst • Help Desk Tech • Technical Support Specialist • Field Service Technician • Associate Network Engineer • Data Support Technician • Desktop Support Administrator • End User Computing Technician • Help Desk Technician • System Support Specialist

CompTIA A+ Content
The new CompTIA A+ Core Series includes expanded content on these growing parts of the IT support role.

Networking and device connectivity are broadened
• Cloud and virtualization are weighed more heavily
• Managing networking and device connectivity includes IoT devices and related protocols
• Includes the concept of Internet appliances and end point management servers
• Added wireless mesh networks to network types

Expansion of baseline security topics core to the IT support role
• Physical versus logical security concepts and measures
• Social engineering
• Malware detection and removal
• Device hardening for not just PCs but devices in general

Different approach in defining competency in operational procedures
• Importance of documentation and using best practices
• Change management
• Basic disaster prevention and recovery
• Privacy concerns, including GDPR and handling PII
• Scripting basics
• Use of remote access

Areas Covered in the Certification

Core-1 (220-1001) 
Hardware - 27%
Network and Hardware Troubleshooting - 27%
Networking - 20%
Mobile Devices - 14%
Virtualization and Cloud Computing - 12%

Core-2 (220-1002)
Operating Systems - 27%
Software Troubleshooting - 26%
Security - 24%
Operational Procedures - 23%

Technical Areas Covered in the Certification

Core-1 (220-1001)
Hardware
• Explain basic cable and connector types, features, and their purposes 
• Summarize power supply types and features
• Select and configure appropriate components & devices for a custom PC configuration to meet customer specifications or needs
• Configure SOHO multifunction devices/printers and settings
• Install and maintain various print technologies

Network and Hardware Troubleshooting 
• Use the best practice methodology to resolve problems
• Troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays and problems related to motherboards, RAM, power and more
• Troubleshoot video, projector, and display issues
• Troubleshoot common mobile device issues while adhering to the appropriate procedures
• Troubleshoot common wired and wireless network problems

Networking
• Compare and contrast TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purposes
• Compare and contrast common networking hardware devices
• Install and configure a basic wired/wireless SOHO network
• Compare and contrast wireless networking protocols
• Summarize the properties and purposes of services provided by networked hosts
• Explain common network configuration concepts
• Compare and contrast Internet connection types, network types, and their features

Mobile Devices
• Install and configure laptop & components
• Compare and contrast characteristics of various types of other mobile devices
• Connect and configure accessories and ports of other mobile devices & accessories
• Configure basic mobile device network connectivity and application support
• Use methods to perform mobile device synchronization

Virtualization and Cloud Computing
• Compare and contrast cloud computing concepts
• Set up and configure client-side virtualization

Core-2 (220-1002)
Operating Systems 
• Compare and contrast common operating system types and their purposes
• Compare and contrast features of Microsoft Windows versions
• Summarize general OS installation considerations and upgrade methods
• Use appropriate Microsoft command line tools
• Use Microsoft operating system features and tools
• Use Microsoft Windows Control Panel utilities
• Summarize application installation and configuration concepts
• Configure Microsoft Windows networking on a client/desktop
• Use features and tools of the Mac OS and Linux client/desktop operating systems

Software Troubleshooting
• Troubleshoot Microsoft Windows OS problems
• Troubleshoot and resolve PC security issues
• Use best practice procedures for malware removal
• Troubleshoot mobile OS and application issues
• Troubleshoot mobile OS and application security issues

Security 
• Summarize the importance of physical security measures
• Explain logical security concepts
• Compare and contrast wireless security protocols and authentication methods
• Given a scenario, detect, remove, and prevent malware using appropriate tools and methods
• Compare and contrast social engineering, threats, and vulnerabilities
• Compare and contrast the differences of basic Microsoft Windows OS security settings
• Implement security best practices to secure a workstation
• Implement methods for securing mobile devices
• Implement appropriate data destruction and disposal methods
• Configure security on SOHO wireless and wired networks

Operational Procedures
• Compare and contrast best practices associated with types of documentation
• Implement basic change management best practices
• Implement basic disaster prevention and recovery methods
• Explain common safety procedures
• Explain environmental impacts and appropriate controls
• Explain the processes for addressing prohibited content/ activity, and privacy, licensing, and policy concepts
• Use proper communication techniques and professionalism
• Identify the basics of scripting
• Use remote access technologies

CompTIA exams are “high stakes” exams

An extraordinarily high level of rigor is employed in developing CompTIA certifications. Each question created for a CompTIA exam undergoes multiple layers of quality assurance

CompTIA certification exams are "vendor-neutral"
This means each exam covers multiple technologies, without confining the candidate to any one platform. Vendor-neutrality is important because it ensures IT professionals can perform important job tasks in any technology environment. IT professionals with vendor-neutral certifications can consider multiple solutions in their approach to problem-solving, making them more flexible and adaptable than those with training in just one technology.

Performance Certification
CompTIA performance certifications validate the skills associated with a particular job or responsibility. They include simulations that require the test taker to demonstrate multi-step knowledge to complete a task. CompTIA has a higher ratio of these types of questions than some other IT certifying bodies.

 

CiscoNetAcad
The new version IT Essentials 7.0 availabe for all Cisco Academies prepares students for the new Core CompTIA A+ exams.