What are CompTIA Stackable Certifications? - A Brief Guide

Having relevant and up-to-date certifications has become increasingly important for aspirants looking to advance their careers in Information Technology (IT). An exciting and relevant new offering in the IT certification world is CompTIA Stackable Certifications.   

According to the official CompTIA site, at least 41% of IT employees hold at least four certifications in their field, highlighting the importance of these certifications for career advancement.   

In this blog, we will explore what CompTIA Stackable Certifications are, why they are valuable, and the roadmap to obtaining these certifications. 

Table of Contents 

1) What are CompTIA Stackable Certifications? 

2) Benefits of holding CompTIA Certifications 

3) Roadmap to obtaining CompTIA Certifications 

   a) Cybersecurity 

   b) Infrastructure 

4) Conclusion 

What are CompTIA Stackable Certifications?

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) offers the CompTIA Stackable Certifications. They are designed to help IT professionals build their careers and advance in their fields. The program is focused on providing a modular approach to IT certification, allowing individuals to earn multiple credentials in their areas of expertise. These certifications can be stacked together to form a skillset. It is designed to be flexible, allowing individuals to choose the most relevant certificate to their skillset and career paths.



Employers worldwide recognise the CompTIA Stackable Certifications as a mark of expertise and proficiency in the IT industry.   

Benefits of holding CompTIA Certifications 

CompTIA Certifications offer several benefits, including: 

a) Enhanced job prospects: Earning multiple CompTIA certifications demonstrate a broader skill set and increased proficiency in different areas of IT, making you a much more attractive candidate to employers.  

b) Flexibility: CompTIA allows you to select and combine various certifications that align with your career goals and interests.   

c) Customisable learning path: You can design your academic path by selecting specific certifications to meet your current career objectives and add others later to enhance your skills and knowledge.  

d) Cost-effective: Stackable certifications are often offered at a reduced cost compared to taking multiple stand-alone certification exams.  

e) Industry recognition: CompTIA is a recognised leader in the IT certification space. Earning a certification from it validates your skills and knowledge to potential employers.  

f) Continuous learning: Earning these stackable certifications encourages perpetual learning and professional development. Obtaining these certifications will help you ensure you're up to date with the latest technology trends and advancements in the IT industry.  

g) Transferable skills: The skills and knowledge you gain from earning Stackable certifications are transferable across a wide range of industries, making you versatile and an asset to any organisation.  

Roadmap to obtaining CompTIA Certifications   

CompTIA offers a variety of Stackable Certifications that build on top of each other in terms of skillset. It allows individuals to start with foundational certificates and work their way up to more advanced certifications.  

There are two broad pathways in CompTIA based on the subject matter: 

a) Cyber Security 

b) Infrastructure 

Cyber Security
 

Here is a roadmap to obtaining CompTIA Stackable Certifications in Cyber Security:

a) CompTIA Security+ Certification: This is the foundational certification that covers the basics of cybersecurity. It validates the knowledge and skills required to perform core security functions and pursue a career in IT Security. To obtain this certification, you need to pass the SYO-601 exam.

b) CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+): This certification validates the skills needed to configure and use tools to detect threats, perform data analysis and interpretation, and recommend preventive actions. To obtain this certification, you need to pass the CSO-002 exam.

c) CompTIA PenTest+: This certification validates the skills required to plan and conduct a Penetration Testing, analyse results, and effectively communicate the findings. To obtain this certification, you need to pass the PTO-002 exam.

d) CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+): This advanced-level certification validates the skills required to design, implement, and manage cybersecurity solutions. It focuses on the technical knowledge and skills required to conceptualise, engineer, integrate, and implement solutions across complex environments. To obtain this certification, you need to pass the CAS-004 exam.

Each certification takes an average of 20 to 30 hours of study, excluding the examinations.   

Infrastructure

Here is a roadmap to obtaining CompTIA Stackable Certifications in Infrastructure: 

a) CompTIA A+ Certification: This CompTIA A+ Certification covers the basics of computer hardware, software, networking, and security. This is the starting point for anyone looking to enter the IT field.  

b) CompTIA Network+ Certification: This CompTIA Network+ Certification focuses on the practical skills needed to secure networks and systems against cyber threats. It covers topics such as cryptography, identity management, and risk management.  

c) CompTIA Linux+ Certification: This certification focuses on installing, configuring, and managing Linux operating systems. It is designed for IT professionals who work with Linux-based systems. 

d) CompTIA Cloud+ Certification: This certification covers Cloud Computing concepts, including cloud deployment, management, and security. It is designed for IT professionals who desire to work with cloud-based platforms.  

e) CompTIA Server+ Certification: This certification is an advanced-level certification designed to cover server architecture, administration, storage, and security. It is designed for IT professionals who wish to further their career in a complicated science within IT, i.e., server technologies.

Each certification takes an average of 15 to 20 hours of study, excluding the examinations.


 

Conclusion 

CompTIA Stackable Certifications offer a valuable and flexible path for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. By earning multiple CompTIA certifications, individuals can demonstrate their expertise across various IT disciplines, making them more valuable to employers and opening new career opportunities.   

Whether you are just starting in IT or want to advance your career to the next level, CompTIA Certifications are an excellent way to build opportunities.   

Take your career in cybersecurity to the next level with our CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Training course. Register now!