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CompTIA announced last week it is developing a new, vendor-neutral, entry-level security certification that will address training on firewalls, viruses, user authentication and encryption.
The Computing Technology Industry Association, in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., expects to name the certification by the end of the month. CompTIA is only now bringing together a committee to determine the questions that will be used in the certification, which is expected to launch in the third quarter, according to a spokeswoman.
CompTIA officials point to a growing need for security skills as the driver behind the new certification. “There is no greater need in the IT industry than bulletproof security,” said Fran Linhart, director of certifications at CompTIA, in a statement. “We must protect invaluable company and customer data from criminal, terrorist and other threats that disrupt businesses and put people and companies in harms way.
CompTIA, a non-profit trade association of some 9,000 members in 63 countries, is well-known for its other entry-level certifications, including Network+ for network administrators and A+ for hardware technicians. These entry-level certifications are often used as a foundation for higher-level, vendor-specific certifications and degree programs.