CompTIA explained

Computing Technology Industry Association
Trade Name:	CompTIA (January 1, 1982–present)
Type:	Non-profit
Location:	3500 Lacey Road Suite 100 Downers Grove, IL 60515, U.S.
Num Locations:	United States
Area Served:	Global
Products:	TechAmerica (2014–present)

The Computing Technology Industry Association, more commonly known as CompTIA, is an American non-profit trade association that issues professional certifications for the information technology (IT) industry. It is considered one of the IT industry's top trade associations.^[1]

Based in Downers Grove, Illinois, CompTIA issues vendor-neutral professional certifications in over 120 countries. The organization releases industry studies to track industry trends and changes. Over 2.2 million people have earned CompTIA certifications since the association was established.^[2]

History

CompTIA was created in 1982 as the Association of Better Computer Dealers (ABCD).^[3] ABCD later changed its name to the Computing Technology Industry Association.

In 2010, CompTIA moved its headquarters into a new office space in a facility in Downers Grove, Illinois.^[4]

The CompTIA portal moved to a hybrid version of the open-access model in April 2014 with exclusive content for dues-paying members.^{[5] [6]} The move expanded the organization's reach to engage a broader, more diverse set of members, and within a year, CompTIA's membership grew from 2,050 members to more than 50,000 in 2015.^[7] By the close of 2016, the organization boasted more than 100,000 members worldwide.

Skillsboost, CompTIA's online resource for schools, was launched in June 2015. It contained resources for students, parents and teachers to promote the importance of computer skills.^{[8] [9]} CompTIA held its first annual ChannelCon Vendor Summit in 2015. The Vendor Summit is exclusive to people attending ChannelCon, the industry's premier conference for collaboration, education and networking. It addresses issues within the IT industry.^[10]

In January 2017, CompTIA launched an IT professional association built on its acquisition of the Association of Information Technology Professionals.^{[11] [12]}

Trustmarks

CompTIA offers trustmarks to businesses to certify their security capabilities and credentials.

The CompTIA Security Trustmark+ is based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and demonstrates compliance with key industry regulations such as PCI-DSS, SSAE-16, HIPAA, and others reliant on the NIST Framework. It is based on a third-party assessment of security policies, procedures and operations.

CompTIA offered additional trustmarks, a Managed Services Trustmark and Managed Print Trustmark, that were retired on Sept. 30, 2021.^[13]

Certifications

CompTIA administers its vendor-neutral certification exams through Pearson VUE testing centers. (Note: For A+ up through CASP+ one can renew or extend their certification by satisfying in these cases 20 to 75 CEUs a.k.a. "Continuing Education Units," over the three-year period.)^[14]

Basic certifications

• IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+) certification covers foundational IT concepts, basic IT literacy, and terminology and concepts of the IT industry. It is considered the first step toward the A+ certification.^[15]
• CompTIA also offers the Cloud Essentials certification as a pathway to its Cloud+ credential.

Professional level certifications

• A+: earned accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 2008.^[16] A+ certification represents entry-level competency as a computer technician and is a vendor neutral certification that covers various technologies and operating systems.^[17] By 2014, over one million people worldwide had earned A+ certification.^[18] The certification expires 3 years after obtainment. Certification prior to January 1, 2011, is considered good-for-life (GFL) and does not expire.^[19]
• Cloud+: released in October 2013 including both cloud computing and virtualization. It is accredited by ANSI and maps to DOD 8570 Standards.^[20] It expires in 3 years.^[21]
• CySA+: Cybersecurity Analyst; released in February 2017. The certification focuses on cyber-threat detection tools and analysis to identify vulnerabilities and risks. CSA+ was accredited by ANSI.^{[22] [23] [24]} In January 2018, the certification was renamed from CSA+ to CySA+ as a result of a trademark dispute.^[25] It expires in 3 years.^[21]
• Data+: released in February 2022. This certification focuses on data mining, manipulating data, visualizing & reporting data, statistical methods, and governance.
• Linux+: A single exam known as XK0-004^[26] that is renewable through the CE program,^[27] the certification covers Linux operating systems, from their installation and use to the basics of applicable free software and open source licenses. Was formerly a two-part exam LX0-103 and LX0-104 in partnership with Linux Professional Institute.^[28]
• Network+: accredited by ANSI in 2008.^[16] The entry-level certification is used to measure skill as a network technician.^[29] It expires in 3 years.^[21] Certification prior to January 1, 2011, is considered good-for-life (GFL) and does not expire.^[19]
• PenTest+: intermediate-level certification focusing on penetration testing. Released July 31, 2018, the PenTest+ covers risk analysis, threat detection, and penetration testing and ethical hacking tools and methodologies.^[30] PenTest+ is ANSI and ISO 17024 accredited and currently aligns with the DOD 8570 standard. It expires in 3 years.
• Security+: also earned its ANSI accreditation in 2008.^[16] Security+ is an entry-level vendor-neutral security certification that builds off of the network security knowledge covered by the Network+ certification.^[31] It expires in 3 years.^[21] Certification prior to January 1, 2011, is considered good-for-life (GFL) and does not expire.^[19]
• Server+: focuses on server-specific hardware and operating systems, IT environments, disaster recovery and business continuity.^[32] It was developed in 2001, with updates released in 2005, 2009, 2018, and 2021.^[33]

Master level certification

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is the highest level certification in CompTIA's cybersecurity pathway after Security+, CySA+, and PenTest+. The CASP+ certification was accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on December 13, 2011.^[16] The CASP+ exam will certify that the successful candidate has the technical knowledge and skills required to conceptualize, design, and engineer secure solutions across complex enterprise environments. In March 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense approved the certification as a baseline certification accepted for Information Assurance Technical Level III, IS Manager Level II and IA Systems Architect and Engineer Levels I and II.^[34] The name of CASP+ is being changed to SecurityX+ when the latest version, CAS-005, is released in Q4 of 2024. ^[35]

Specialty certifications

• Project+: In 2001, CompTIA acquired the Project+ project management certification program from Gartner. The program, previously called "IT Project+", was updated in 2003.^{[36] [37]}

Retired certificates

• Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+), is a certification for competency in document imaging, document management, and enterprise content management. Retired on December 1, 2017.^[38]
• Healthcare IT Technician certification focused on IT in the healthcare industry and was aimed at IT professionals who install and maintain electronic health record systems. Retired on February 28, 2017.^{[39] [40]}
• Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification is a vendor-neutral certification that is applicable to training professionals in all industries. Originally administered in 2001 through The Chauncey Institute, the CTT program was acquired by CompTIA and renamed as CTT+. It was created through a collaboration of the Information Technology Training Association, Inc. (ITTA) and the Computer Education Management Association (CedMA).^[41] Retired on October 31, 2023, although anyone who had earned the CTT+ certification will remain certified after the retirement date. ^[42]

Stackable certifications

In January 2018, CompTIA released stackable certifications:^[43]

CompTIA Infrastructure Career Pathway

• Specialist
  • CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (A+/Network+)
  • CompTIA Systems Support Specialist (A+/Linux+)
• Professional
  • CompTIA Cloud Admin Professional (Network+/Cloud+)
  • CompTIA Network Infrastructure Professional (Network+/Server+)
  • CompTIA Linux Network Professional (Network+/Linux+)

CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway

• Specialist
  • CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (A+/Network+/Security+)
• Professional
  • CompTIA Secure Cloud Professional (Security+/Cloud+)
  • CompTIA Security Analytics Professional (Security+/CySA+)
  • CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional (Security+/PenTest+)
  • CompTIA Network Security Professional (Security+/PenTest+/CySA+)
• Expert
  • CompTIA Security Analytics Expert (Security+/CySA+/CASP+)
  • CompTIA Security Infrastructure Expert (Security+/CySA+/PenTest+/CASP+)

Right to Repair

CompTIA initially lobbied against the right to repair.^[44] On February 21, 2020, CompTIA posted stated that as of February 3, 2020, "CompTIA permanently stepped back from all lobbying activity related to right to repair legislation."^[45]

Philanthropy

CompTIA established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Creating IT Futures.^[46]

Certification expiration

Previously, CompTIA marketed its flagship A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications as being valid for a lifetime. In January 2011, CompTIA changed the status of these certifications so that they would expire every three years. Under this proposal, certified individuals would have to re-certify for the exams or pay a yearly maintenance fee for a CEU (Continuing Education Units) system. CompTIA modified the guidelines so that only certificates received after January 1, 2011, would need to be renewed every three years and would require documented continuing education hours.^[47] The un-expirable certificates, issued before 2011, are officially called Good-for-Life, and getting a more updated (and expirable) certification does not replace the Good-for-Life one – the professional can have both.^[48]

See also

• Strata Exam
• Computer repair technician
• List of computer security certifications

Notes and References

1. Web site: CompTIA's Update Ready to Install. Peter Fabris. Sync Magazine. 2021-12-11.
2. Web site: CEO Profile – Todd Thibodeaux. Mark Zonca. August 2016. Naperville Magazine. 2017-04-08. 2020-02-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20200205053714/http://napervillemagazine.com/2016/08/ceo-profile-todd-thibodeaux/. dead.
3. Book: Getting a Networking Job For Dummies. Peter H. Gregory, Bill Hughes. John Wiley & Sons. April 24, 2015.
4. Web site: CompTIA: The Computing Technology Industry Association Inc.. April 27, 2012. The Journal of American Institute of Architects.
5. Web site: CompTIA Opts for New Open-Access Membership Model: Associations Now. associationsnow.com. 2017-01-04. 2014-04-07.
6. News: CompTIA adds free open-access option to membership structure. SearchITChannel. en-US. 2017-01-04. 2017-05-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20170510123138/http://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/news/2240217375/CompTIA-adds-free-open-access-option-to-membership-structure. dead.
7. News: From 2,000 to 50,000: Lessons Learned From CompTIA's Open-Access Membership Model. ASAE. 2017-01-04.
8. Web site: CompTIA launches Skillsboost website to entice more students into IT. Ronald Moore-Colyer. V3. 2015-06-24.
9. Web site: CompTIA Launches Online Resource for Students Interested in IT Careers. Joshua Bolkan. June 24, 2015. The Journal.
10. Web site: CompTIA ChannelCon 2016 Vendor Summit Examines How To Thrive in the IT Channel. June 15, 2016. Business Solutions. April 8, 2017. April 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170409200215/https://www.bsminfo.com/doc/comptia-channelcon-vendor-summit-examines-channel-0001. dead.
11. Web site: CompTIA launches professional association to help fill skills gap in IT. Conner Forrest. January 9, 2017. TechRepublic.
12. Web site: CompTIA to Create New Association For IT Professionals. Rich Freeman. ChannelPro Network. 2017-01-10. 2017-04-08. 2022-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20220319192354/https://www.channelpronetwork.com/news/comptia-create-new-association-it-professionals. dead.
13. Web site: CompTIA Trustmarks. CompTIA. 2021. CompTIA.
14. Web site: Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) | CompTIA IT Certifications . . January 25, 2020 . CompTIA.Org . CompTIA, Inc., the IT Industry Association . January 25, 2020 . (website has a visual chart of CEUs needed per various certifications).
15. Web site: IT Fundamentals Overview. IT Pro TV.
16. Web site: Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). www.ansi.org. 2016-01-30.
17. Web site: What is the CompTIA A+ certification. Indiana University.
18. Web site: One in a million: CompTIA A+ passes certification milestone. October 21, 2014. Certification Magazine. April 8, 2017. January 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210107124147/http://certmag.com/one-million-comptia-passes-certification-milestone/. dead.
19. https://help.comptia.org/hc/en-us/articles/115005364303-Good-for-Life-Certifications CompTIA Good-for-Life Certifications
20. Web site: Best Cloud Computing Certifications For 2017. Ed Tittel, Mary Kyle. November 17, 2016. Tom's IT Pro.
21. Web site: Overview Continuing Education and Renewal | CompTIA IT Certifications. 2021-12-31. Default. en.
22. Web site: CompTIA Unveils Cyberanalyst Certification. Tara Seals. February 20, 2017. InfoSecurity.
23. Web site: CompTIA extends security certification coverage. Simon Quicke. February 20, 2017. Computer Weekly.
24. Web site: CompTIA zeroes in on behavioural analytics with new global security certification. Sara Barker. February 21, 2017. Security Brief.
25. Web site: COMPTIA CIO. R/CompTIA - PenTest+ Beta Testers Needed - Registration now available. Reddit. 27 February 2018. en.
26. Web site: The New CompTIA Linux+: Your Questions Answered. Kristin Ludwig. Apr 3, 2019. CompTIA.
27. Web site: CompTIA Linux+ XK0-004 Renewal. CompTIA.
28. Web site: Best Linux Certifications For 2017. Ed Tittel, Mary Kyle. November 21, 2016. Tom's IT Pro.
29. Web site: CompTIA A+ Certification vs. Network+ Certification. Vista College.
30. Shebli . Hessa Mohammed Zaher Al . Beheshti . Babak D. . A study on penetration testing process and tools . 2018 IEEE Long Island Systems, Applications and Technology Conference (LISAT) . 2018 . 1–7 . 10.1109/LISAT.2018.8378035. 978-1-5386-5029-5 .
31. Web site: Best Information Security Certifications For 2017. Ed Tittel. December 13, 2016. Tom's IT Pro.
32. Web site: Best Computer Hardware Certifications For 2017. Ed Tittel, Mary Kyle. December 19, 2016. Tom's IT Pro.
33. Web site: CompTIA Server+ Certification Training. 5 March 2021. Computer Training Schools.
34. Web site: DOD accepts CompTIA's Advanced Security Practitioner certification. Ellen Messmer. March 22, 2013. Network World.
35. Web site: CompTIA Exam Objectives Under Development . 2024-07-11 . CompTIA . en.
36. Web site: Project+ - combining the technical world and the business world: An Interview with Ayana Nickerson, for CompTIA. jidaw.com. 2010-04-09. 2020-02-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20200220184118/http://www.jidaw.com/certarticles/comptiaproject.html. dead. c. August, 2004.
37. Web site: Emmett Dulaney. November 12, 2003. Seven things to know about the new IT Project+ certification. Tech Republic.
38. Web site: A Look at the CDIA+ Certification. Steve Rowe. September 1, 2004. Developer.com.
39. Web site: Retired CompTIA Certifications. CompTIA.
40. Web site: Get to Know More About CompTIA Healthcare IT Technician Certificate. Michael Gabriel Sumastre. September 24, 2012. Pluralsight.
41. Web site: Now What? – Becoming an IT Trainer and The CTT+ Certification. Warren E. Wyrostek. February 1, 2002. Inform IT.
42. Web site: CTT+ (Plus). CompTIA. February 26, 2023. CompTIA.
43. News: Sears. Teresa. Introducing CompTIA Stackable Certifications. 25 April 2018. CompTIA. January 19, 2018.
44. "Right to Repair" Legislation is Wrong for Nebraska Consumers and Businesses. www.prnewswire.com.
45. Web site: CompTIA Steps Back from Lobbying Activity Related to Right to Repair Legislation. 2021-12-31. Default. en.
46. Web site: 19 March 2012 . CompTIA Creating IT Futures Foundation Helps Wounded Warriors Conquer Their Next Challenge: Preparing For Careers In The IT Field . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130914194015/http://www.bsminfo.com/doc/comptia-creating-it-futures-foundation-helps-0001 . 14 September 2013 . 10 April 2017 . Business Solutions.
47. Web site: CompTIA backs down; past certs remain valid for life . Nate . Anderson . January 26, 2010 . . January 26, 2010.
48. Web site: Good-for-Life Certifications.