It comes as no surprise that cybersecurity continues to be one of the most sought-after IT job roles in the tech industry. Perhaps you’re currently working as a penetration tester or a threat hunter and you’ve had a glimpse into some more advanced cybersecurity projects that have sparked your interest, and you’re now ready to take that next step. Regardless of whether you’re already in a cybersecurity-specific role or you’re doing intermediate-level cybersecurity tasks, IT pros, like you, need to continue to develop their cybersecurity skills to succeed.
The Cybersecurity Industry and In-Demand Jobs
There are currently nearly 500,000 open cybersecurity jobs in the United States, so there’s no better time to advance your cybersecurity career than right now. The median salary for an advanced cybersecurity job is $116,780, with room to grow as you gain experience across domains. The CompTIA Career Roadmap can help you see how your cybersecurity career could progress as you gain skills and experience.
Wondering what types of advanced-level cybersecurity jobs are out there? Here are just a few advanced cybersecurity jobs:
Cybersecurity covers a broad spectrum, and it can be difficult to staff these roles. In addition, bad actors have increased attacks across a broader range of targets. This means that the need for advanced cybersecurity skills is only going to continue to grow.
Advanced Cybersecurity Skills
As you begin your journey to advance your cybersecurity career, you’ll want to obtain the technical skills in traditional, cloud and hybrid environments as well as gain an understanding of governance, risk and compliance in order to properly assess an enterprise’s cybersecurity readiness and lead technical teams to implement enterprise-wide cybersecurity solutions.
Advanced cybersecurity practitioners will want to know how to:
- Analyze security requirements to ensure an appropriate, secure network architecture for new or existing networks, including zero-trust solutions
- Automate risk processes
- Analyze and implement best practices for end-to-end security configurations enterprise-wide in both the cloud and on-premises
- Create technical solutions, such as an organization-wide cryptography standard and help lead the technical team responsible for the implementation
- Assess an enterprise network's cybersecurity readiness, provide documentation proving that rating, mitigate issues and roll out the solutions
The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Certification
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is the ideal certification for security architects and senior security engineers who wish to remain immersed in technology as opposed to strictly managing cybersecurity policy and frameworks. While cybersecurity managers help identify what cybersecurity policies and frameworks could be implemented, CASP+-certified professionals figure out how to implement solutions within those policies and frameworks.
The new CASP+ (CAS-004) certification exam verifies that certified IT pros have the knowledge and skills required to:
- Architect, engineer, integrate and implement secure solutions across complex environments to support a resilient enterprise
- Use monitoring, detection, incident response and automation to proactively support ongoing security operations in an enterprise environment
- Apply security practices to cloud, on-premises, endpoint and mobile infrastructure, while considering cryptographic technologies and techniques
- Consider the impact of governance, risk and compliance requirements throughout the enterprise
Get the full picture of the skills covered by CASP+ when you download the exam objectives for free.
CASP+ certification 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. Additionally, CASP+ is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to meet directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements. Earning CASP+ will prove to potential employers that you are an IT pro who knows advanced cybersecurity tasks and will succeed at work.
Advanced Cybersecurity Training: How to Study for CASP+
Because CASP+ covers the advanced skills you’ll need as you progress in your cybersecurity career, studying makes for great cybersecurity training at all levels. CompTIA training products are designed around the same objectives covered by our certifications, and we offer a variety of options to meet the needs of different types of learners at different stages of their training.
eLearning
If you enjoy eLearning at your own pace, then CertMaster Learn may be a great cybersecurity training option for you. It includes interactive lessons with flashcards and performance-based questions, videos that demonstrate key concepts and processes, self-assessments, progress analytics and reporting.
Check out CertMaster Learn for CASP+
Interactive Labs
Virtual labs provide hands-on experience in a real-world environment. What sets CompTIA Labs apart is that you’re working in on real equipment and software – not just in a simulation. Get the hands-on skills you need to earn CASP+ and for advanced-level cybersecurity jobs. You can use CertMaster Labs in two ways – with instruction, so you can learn new skills, or on your own, practicing what you already know.
Get started with CertMaster Labs for CASP+
Exam Prep
When it comes to IT certifications, studying is only half the battle. Preparing for the exam process will get you to the finish line. CertMaster Practice is an adaptive tool that assesses your knowledge and exam readiness by finding knowledge gaps and helping you fill them quickly, so you feel more prepared and confident going into your certification exam.
Get exam ready with CertMaster Practice for CASP+
Study Guides
If you prefer traditional textbook-style learning, The Official CASP+ Study Guide is packed with informative and accessible content that covers all CASP+ exam objectives.
Hit the Books with The Official CASP+ Study Guide
Get Started with Your Cybersecurity Training
No matter what method you choose, studying for and earning CASP+ is great cybersecurity training for intermediate to advanced-level IT pros that can help you grow in your cybersecurity career. The topics covered on the CASP+ exam align directly with advanced-level cybersecurity jobs and prove to employers that you have what it takes to help improve their enterprise’s cybersecurity readiness.
Ready to start studying? Writing out your plan will set you up for success. Download our free training plan worksheet to help get organized and make your dream a reality.
