New Comptia Advanced Security Practitioner Certification Exam Addresses Latest Security Threats

CompTIA, the leader in vendor-neutral skills certifications for the global information technology (IT) workforce, announced recently it has updated its CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification exam.

CASP is a mastery level exam that validates advanced competency and skill in IT security. The new exam (CS-002) addresses the latest enterprise-level cyber security threats.

“The roll call of cyber-attacks continues to grow and more are surely on the way,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA. “To help combat the growing threat of malware, individual hackers and organized hacking groups, we’ve updated the CASP exam to address the latest threats and to better explore the troubleshooting processes security professionals rely on to keep data, devices and networks secure.”

“Each hack is unique,” noted James Stanger, senior director, product development, CompTIA. ”It takes technical knowledge and creativity to combat these threats. These advanced skills are assessed in the CASP exam.”

The CASP certification exam validates competency in enterprise security; risk management; incident response; research and analysis; integration of computing, communications and business disciplines; and technical integration of enterprise components.

“CASP is more hands-on, technical and task oriented than other comparable advanced security certifications,” Stanger explained. “While they explain the ‘why’, CASP covers the ‘how.’ Our exam includes performance-based questions, requiring the test taker to demonstrate their ability to complete tasks in simulations of real-world security situations.”

CASP is intended for IT professionals with at least 10 years’ experience in IT administration and five years hands-on technical security experience in job roles such as information security analyst, security architect, cyber security risk manager and cyber security risk analyst.

Additionally, CASP is included in U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570.01-M, which provides guidance and procedures for the training, certification, and management of all government employees who conduct information assurance functions in assigned duty positions.

CASP addresses the need for enterprise security skills in the following DoD job roles:

•     IA Technical Level III
•     IA Manager Level II
•     IA Architect & Engineer Level I
•     IA Architect & Engineer Level II

CASP is accredited by ANSI as showing compliance towards the ISO/IEC 17024 Conformity Assessment, the international standard designed to ensure that certification bodies around the world operate in a consistent, comparable and reliable manner.

Training Resources Available

The first to market with CompTIA-approved preparatory training is Skillsoft, a recognized learning industry leader. Skillsoft’s CAS-002 eLearning self-paced online courseware includes engaging rich-media lessons with hands on practice, ‘how to’ videos for quick nuggets of instruction, live one-to-one mentoring for personal support and Test Prep practice exams. The courseware is eligible for credits under CompTIA’s Continuing Education Program. For a limited time, Skillsoft is offering customers a special discount on the CASP exam voucher for the CAS-002 exam.

Additional training materials are available from Wiley/Sybex (self-study book), Logical Operations (instructor-led training) and Kaplan/Transcender (practice test).

About CompTIA

CompTIA is the voice of the world’s IT industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit www.comptia.org