CompTIA Stackable Certifications: Complete guide

Welcome to the Learning People’s official CompTIA stackable certifications blog. We’re here to demystify and purely explain the language, acronyms and professional meaning behind the jargon and ‘tech speak’.

Firstly, if you don’t already know, and even if you think you do, then let us explain exactly who CompTIA are and where they stand in the tech’ industry.

CompTIA is the world’s leading vendor neutral tech’ and not for a profit trade association and have been around since 1982. Their very existence is a result of the world’s most important IT vendors and partners coming together in order to create an ‘open dialogue’.

“A leading voice for the information technology (IT) industry…”

What do CompTIA certifications actually mean and what do they do? In 1993, CompTIA developed, what was then, a revolutionary IT certification that wasn’t tied to a specific manufacturer of IT hardware or software. For obvious reasons the concept created huge traction and over time has gained heavyweight status throughout the world. 

So, what are the CompTIA certifications and how are they designed?

CompTIA responds and adapts to the IT industry, which is why they exist in the first place. From helping people break into IT from a standing start to advancing the ‘old school’ to the highest level, CompTIA are expert in upskilling and validating through industry relevant certification standards globally.  

For example, if you’re looking to gain the essential maintenance and troubleshooting skills and know-how to keep machines running, then the CompTIA A+ certification is written to ensure you can do exactly that.  

If you want the required knowledge and skills to design, implement, maintain and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks, then the CompTIA N+ is day one.

However, what happens when you gain more than one of these globally recognised certifications?

As you might imagine, gaining the CompTIA A+ and N+ ensures you are versed and certified to work with the most commonly utilised hardware, software and network infrastructure globally, this in turn validates and certifies you as a CIOS, CompTIA IT Operations Specialist.

The all important Cyber Security pathway, known in the business as a CompTIA ‘triple threat’ is as above, CompTIA A+ and CompTIA N+, followed by the global standard in best practice for information security, the CompTIA S+.

The A+, N+, S+ trilogy realise the lofty title of a CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist.  Being able to oversee the safe day-to-day life of networks, hardware and operating systems + their users, surely solidifies the title and its weight.

The above also diversifies into the currently common ‘cloud’ technology with a double stack of Security+ / Cloud+.  As you would imagine, the Cloud+ validates a professionals’ skills to maintain and optimise cloud infrastructure services, and by topping up your S+ with Cloud+ you proposition to industry changes significantly.

Cyber specific ‘stackables’ are as follows:

CompTIA Security Analytics Professional

(Security+ / CySA+)
 

CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional

(Security+ / PenTest+)

CompTIA Network Security Professional

(Security+ / PenTest+ / CySA+)  

With expert level cyber ‘stackables’ being as follows:

CompTIA Security Analytics Expert

(Security+ / CySA+ / CASP+)

CompTIA Security Infrastructure Expert

(Security+ / CySA+ / PenTest+ / CASP+)

The real values of these certifications are not the acronym, nor the power of words combined, but moreover, is the value that they represent to industry and the employer and industry. If you’re able to ensure the security, maintenance and flow of a company’s infrastructure, then you are undoubtedly an indispensable asset.

Imagine being the person who can keep systems safe and their users free from attack and vulnerability. Put yourself in the shoes of a positive minority, whereby skills are in short supply and the need to maintain is crucial.

Want to talk to CompTIA’s training partner of the year for 2 years running? Contact our expert career consultants. We’ll support you from enquiry to employment with practical, smart industry advice.