CompTIA Security+ Surpasses 50,000-Certified Milestone

Users cite certification’s role in heightening security awareness, preparedness.

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., August 20, 2008 — More than 50,000 information technology (IT) professionals around the world have now earned CompTIA Security+™ certification, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) announced today.

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The milestone for CompTIA Security+, a vendor-neutral certification that validates knowledge of communication security, infrastructure security, cryptography, and operational and organizational security, was reached earlier this year. There are now CompTIA Security+ certified professionals in 130 countries around the world.

A 2008 CompTIA survey of more than 2,000 IT professionals with responsibility for their organization’s security found that a growing number of organizations are requiring security certification such as CompTIA Security+. About one-third of organizations surveyed said they require security certifications for some or all of their IT staff. That’s up from about 25 percent in the prior year’s survey.

“Security certification saves organizations, on average, upwards of $675,000 annually through reduced server and network downtime and fewer incidents that impact employee productivity,” said Michael Robie, vice president, skills development, CompTIA. “IT professionals who hold CompTIA Security+ certification are better prepared to prevent security incidents, and to respond more effectively to minimize the damage when security breaches do occur.”

Organizations across a wide range of industries – including professional services, agriculture and food, information technology, telecommunications, finance, healthcare, government, and the United States military – use CompTIA Security+ as a skills benchmark for staff members responsible for daily technical administration of systems and network security.

An updated version of the CompTIA Security+ certification exam is scheduled for availability during the fourth quarter of 2008. The update is in keeping with CompTIA’s practice of continuous and ongoing review of its certification content to assure that it addresses the latest changes in technology and reflects the skills needed by tech workers and required by employers. In the case of CompTIA Security+, greater emphasis is being placed on knowing how to address specific security issues, rather than simply being able to recognize these issues. The complete new objectives for CompTIA Security+ are available at http://certification.comptia.org/resources/objectives.aspx.

The current version of the CompTIA Security+ exam remains available worldwide. Candidates now studying for, or considering CompTIA Security+ certification, are strongly encouraged to continue their preparation and test for the certification based on its current objectives.

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the voice of the world’s $3 trillion information technology industry. CompTIA membership extends into more than 100 countries and includes companies at the forefront of innovation; the channel partners and solution providers they rely on to bring their products to market; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their technology investments. For more information, please visit www.comptia.org.