A+, Net+, Security+

Hours: 240 / Access Length: 12 Months / Delivery: Online, Self-Paced
Retail Price: $2,724.00

Course Overview:

The CompTIA A+ Core Series emphases the technologies and skills IT pros need to support a hybrid workforce, such as increased reliance on SaaS applications for remote work, troubleshooting and how to remotely diagnose and correct common software, hardware, or connectivity problems, cloud virtualization and IoT device security to data management and scripting, multiple operating systems now encountered by technicians on a regular basis and how to keep them running properly. Comptia Core reflects the changing nature of the job role, where many tasks are sent to specialized providers as certified personnel need to assess whether it’s best to fix something on site, or to save time and money by sending proprietary technologies directly to vendors.

The CompTIA Network+ certification validates your ability to install, configure, and manage wired and wireless networks. It demonstrates that you have the skills to troubleshoot common network problems and ensure network security. This certification is ideal for those who are beginning their careers in IT networking or want to validate their foundational network knowledge. Earning your CompTIA Network+ certification will give you a competitive edge in the job market and help you advance your IT career.

If you intend to pass the CompTIA Security+ (Exam SY0-701) certification examination, this course can be a significant part of your preparation. But certification is not the only key to professional success in the field of IT security. Today's job market demands individuals with demonstrable skills, and the information and activities in this course can help you build your cybersecurity skill set so that you can confidently perform your duties in any entry-level security role.

On course completion of CompTIA A+ 220-1101, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Install, configure, and troubleshoot PC motherboards, system components, and peripheral devices.
• Compare networking hardware types and configure local addressing and Internet connections.
• Summarize uses for network services, virtualization, and cloud computing.
• Support the use of mobile devices and print devices.

On course completion of CompTIA A+ 220-1102, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Configure and troubleshoot the Windows operating system.
• Support the Linux and macOS operating systems.
• Configure SOHO network security and manage PC security settings.
• Support the use of mobile apps.
• Use remote support and scripting tools.
• Implement operational procedures.

On completion of the CompTIA Network+ (N10-009), you will be able to:

• Explain the OSI and TCP/IP Models.
• Explain properties of network traffic.
• Install and configure switched networks.
• Configure IP networks.
• Install and configure routed networks.
• Configure and monitor ports and protocols.
• Explain network application and storage issues.
• Monitor and troubleshoot networks.
• Explain network attacks and mitigations.
• Install and configure security devices.
• Explain authentication and access controls.
• Deploy and troubleshoot cabling solutions.
• Implement and troubleshoot wireless technologies.
• Compare and contrast WAN technologies.
• Use remote access methods.
• Identify site policies and best practices.

On completion of the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701), you will be able to:

• Summarize fundamental security concepts.
• Compare threat types.
• Explain appropriate cryptographic solutions.
• Implement identity and access management.
• Secure enterprise network architecture.
• Secure cloud network architecture.
• Explain resiliency and site security concepts.
• Explain vulnerability management.
• Evaluate network security capabilities.
• Assess endpoint security capabilities.
• Enhance application security capabilities.
• Explain incident response and monitoring concepts.
• Analyze indicators of malicious activity.
• Summarize security governance concepts.
• Explain risk management processes.
• Summarize data protection and compliance concepts.

This course includes FREE access for 12 months to a cloud based lab platform to assist students develop the practical information technology (IT) skills necessary to succeed in high in demand IT jobs.  This cloud based lab solution uses real equipment that enables our students to execute each practical task in a safe environment that is accessible from anywhere without needing to buy their own hardware or risk damage to their own system.

Along with providing the necessary hardware in a virtual environment, students gain access to high quality practical exercises that cover many of the exam topics they will encounter on their certifying exams.

This course prepares students to take the CompTIA A+ 220-1101, 220-1102, Network+ N10-009, and Security+ SY0-701 certification exams.

Course Outline:

CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Installing Motherboards and Connectors

One of the main roles for a CompTIA A+ technician is to install and configure personal computer (PC) hardware. This hands-on part of the job is what draws many people to a career in information technology (IT) support. As an IT professional, you will set up desktop computers and help end users to select a system configuration and peripheral devices that are appropriate to their work. You will often have to connect peripheral devices using the correct cables and connectors and install plug-in adapter cards.

To complete these tasks, you must understand how the peripheral devices and internal PC components are connected via the motherboard. As you may encounter many different environments in your work, you must also be able to distinguish and support both modern and legacy connection interfaces.

Lesson 2: Installing System Devices

The market for the system components of a personal computer is a complex one. Processors, memory modules, disk drives, and power supplies are advertised with a bewildering range of technology improvements and performance differentiators. As a CompTIA A+ technician, you need to interpret these performance characteristics and understand how processing, storage, and power components contribute to a PC specification that is appropriate for a given usage scenario. You must be able to resolve compatibility issues and be confident about the manual installation and removal procedures for these often expensive and delicate devices.

Lesson 3: Troubleshooting PC Hardware

Troubleshooting is a core competency for the role of CompTIA A+ service technician. Whether it is trying to identify a fault in a new build system or assisting a user with a computer that has just stopped working, you will typically be required to demonstrate your troubleshooting skills on each and every day of your job. To become an effective troubleshooter, you need a wide range of knowledge, the ability to pay attention to details, and the readiness to be open and flexible in your approach to diagnosing issues. It is also important to learn and apply best practices and a structured methodology to give yourself the best chance of success when diagnosing complex troubleshooting scenarios.

Lesson 4: Comparing Local Networking Hardware

Network support is a great competency for IT technicians at all levels to possess. In today's environment, standalone computing is a rarity. Just about every digital device on the planet today is connected to external resources via a network, whether it is a small office/home office (SOHO) network, a corporate WAN, or to the Internet directly. The ability to connect, share, and communicate using a network is crucial for running a business and staying connected to everything in the world. As a CompTIA® A+® support technician, if you understand the technologies that underlie both local and global network communications, you can play an important role in ensuring that the organization you support stays connected.

Lesson 5: Configuring Network Addressing and Internet Connections

Network cabling, wireless radios, and devices such as switches and APs are used to implement local networks at the hardware level. A local-only network has limited uses, however. The full functionality of networking is only realized when local networks join wide area networks, such as the Internet. This requires modem devices and radio antennas that can communicate over the cabling and wireless media types used by Internet service providers (ISPs). It also requires technologies that can identify each network and forward data between them. This network addressing and forwarding function is performed by router devices and the Internet Protocol (IP).

Lesson 6: Supporting Network Services

IP, TCP/UDP, DHCP, and DNS establish the basic addressing and forwarding functions necessary to implement network connectivity. Network applications use these underlying network and transport functions to run user-level services, such as web browsing or file sharing. In this topic, you will learn to summarize the server roles that are used to implement network applications.

Lesson 7: Summarizing Virtualization and Cloud Concepts

Virtualization is also the technology underpinning cloud computing. Cloud is one of the most dominant trends in networking and service provision. Many organizations are outsourcing parts of their IT infrastructure, platforms, storage, or services to cloud solutions providers. Virtualization is at the core of cloud service provider networks. If you can compare and contrast the delivery and service models for cloud, your customers will benefit from your advice and support when deploying cloud resources.

Lesson 8: Supporting Mobile Devices

This lesson focuses on mobile devices and how they differ from desktop systems in terms of features, upgrade/repair procedures, and troubleshooting. As a certified CompTIA® A+® technician, you will be expected to configure, maintain, and troubleshoot laptops, smartphones, and tablets. With the proper information and the right skills, you will be ready to support these devices as efficiently as you support their desktop counterparts.

Lesson 9: Supporting Print Devices

Despite predictions that computers would bring about a paperless office environment, the need to transfer digital information to paper or back again remains strong. As a CompTIA® A+® certified professional, you will often be called upon to set up, configure, and troubleshoot print and scan devices. Having a working knowledge of the many printer technologies and components will help you to support users' needs in any technical environment.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Configuring Windows

The operating system (OS) is the software that provides a user interface to the computer hardware and provides an environment in which to run software applications and create computer networks. As a professional IT support representative or PC service technician, your job will include installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting personal computer (PC) operating systems.

Lesson 2: Managing Windows

Settings and Control Panel are focused on managing configuration settings for a single computer. In an enterprise environment, configuration and monitoring of hundreds or thousands of desktops require more advanced tools. For example, very commonly, configuration can be achieved more quickly and reliably using command-line tools. In this lesson, you will learn about the appropriate use of advanced interfaces and tools to manage Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.

Lesson 3: Identifying OS Types and Features

While the early lessons in this course have focused on Windows 10, there is a much wider range of operating systems available. Even with Windows, there are various editions to target different market sectors. There are also operating systems designed to support specific hardware types, such as mobile devices. Being able to compare and contrast OS types, versions, and editions will prepare you to support users in a variety of different environments.

Lesson 4: Supporting Windows

To support an OS, you must be able to plan the deployment of software, train and assist users, and troubleshoot problems. As well as technical challenges, there are operational and business factors to consider when installing operating systems and third-party software. Troubleshooting requires knowledge of common symptoms and probable causes in addition to being able to use tools to recover a system or data files.

Lesson 5: Managing Windows Networking

Once you have the computer network up and running, you can start to configure it to provide useful services. File and print sharing are key uses of almost every network. When configuring these resources, you must be aware of potential security issues and understand how to set permissions correctly to ensure that data is only accessible to those users who really should have been authorized to see it.

Lesson 6: Managing Linux and macOS

The various operating systems you might encounter use different interfaces and command syntax, but the functionality of those tools is common across all types of systems. You will need to configure disks and file systems, user accounts, network settings, and software applications.

Lesson 7: Configuring SOHO Network Security

By identifying security threats and vulnerabilities, as well as some of the controls that can counteract them, you can help keep your organization's computing resources safe from unauthorized access. In this lesson, you will identify security threats and vulnerabilities, plus some of the logical and physical controls used to mitigate them on SOHO networks.

Lesson 8: Managing Security Settings

Firewalls provide a security border around a network, but this secure border is not sufficient to protect against insider threat, advanced malware, or sophisticated threat-actor tactics and techniques. Most organizations deploy defense in depth controls to ensure that each endpoint—computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet—is deployed in a hardened configuration in terms of both the OS and the web browser software.

Lesson 9: Supporting Mobile Software

Mobile devices have largely replaced computers as contact-manager and web-browsing tools, and there is little choice but for an enterprise network to support their use. The huge variety of device types and mobile OS types and versions makes managing their use a complex task, however.

Lesson 10: Using Support and Scripting Tools

As a CompTIA A+ technician, you will usually perform support tasks within the context of a company's operational procedures. These procedures include ways of using remote access to handle problems more efficiently, coping with disasters so that data loss and system downtime is minimized, identifying regulated data and content, planning for security incident response, and potentially using scripting to ensure standardized configuration changes.

Lesson 11: Implementing Operational Procedures

Companies also need ticketing systems, asset documentation, and change-management procedures to enforce configuration management. They need safe working practices and to ensure the physical environment does not present any health hazards or risks to electronic devices. Additionally, they need to ensure that technicians and agents represent the company professionally in all customer contact and support situations.

CompTIA Network+ N10-009 Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Explaining Network Topologies

Computer networks are complex systems that incorporate multiple functions, standards, and proprietary technologies. The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is used to try to simplify some of this complexity. It divides network technologies among seven functional layers. This makes it easier to separate and focus on individual concepts and technologies while retaining an understanding of relationships between functions of technologies placed in other layers.

This module uses the OSI model to give you an overview of the technologies that you will be studying in the rest of the course. You will compare the functions of these layers in the OSI model and apply those concepts to the installation and configuration of a small office/home office network.

You will also learn how to apply a methodology to structure troubleshooting activity, so that you can diagnose and resolve problems efficiently.

Lesson 2: Supporting Cabling and Physical Installations

At the Physical layer, networks are made from different cabling types and their connectors and transceivers. These establish direct links between nodes in a local segment. At the Data Link layer, nodes in these segments are given a standard means of exchanging data as frames.

As they are closely related, networking products often define standards for both the Physical and Data Link layers. While plenty of products have been used in the past, many cabled networks are now based on the Ethernet standards. Understanding the options and specifications for Ethernet are essential to building and supporting networks of all sizes.

In this module, you will summarize standards for deploying Ethernet over copper and fiber optic media types and identify the tools and techniques required to deploy and troubleshoot Ethernet cabling.

Lesson 3: Configuring Interfaces and Switches

Cabling establishes the links between nodes on the network, but each node also requires a network interface that both connects the cabling and performs the Data Link layer addressing and framing functions necessary for communications.

Also, not many networks are established by directly connecting each end system to every other local system. Cabling and support costs are reduced by using intermediate systems to establish local networks. These intermediate systems are deployed as network appliances such as hubs, bridges, and switches. Installing and configuring these devices will be a regular task for you during your career in network administration.

Lesson 4: Configuring Network Addressing

The Physical and Data Link layers covered in the previous course modules establish local links between nodes. At the Network layer—layer 3—these individual networks can be connected together into a network of networks, or internetwork.

In this module, you will identify the addressing and data delivery methods of the Internet Protocol (IP). IP is at the heart of most modern networks and consequently one of the most important topic areas for a network professional to understand and apply.

IP is implemented on network hosts using a wide variety of configuration interfaces and tools. You must be confident about selecting an appropriate tool to use to complete a particular support or troubleshooting task.

This module also introduces IPv6 addressing concepts and highlights some key differences between IPv6 and IPv4.

Lesson 5: Configuring Routing and Advanced Switching

Now that you are aware of the basic concepts of IP addressing and forwarding, you can start identifying ways that paths between networks are implemented. Routers work at layer 3 to aggregate information about neighboring networks and forward packets along an appropriate path to their final destination.

While configuring routing infrastructure is often a senior job role, you should understand basic concepts and be able to apply them to solve common issues.

Lesson 6: Implementing Network Services

Layers 1 through 3 of the OSI model are concerned with addressing and packet forwarding and delivery. This basic connectivity is established for the purpose of transporting application data. In this module, you will describe how protocols at layer 4 provision the transport services that network applications depend upon. Also, this module identifies application protocols that perform low-level network operations tasks, such as providing dynamic address or name resolution services.

Lesson 7: Explaining Application Services

Where DHCP and DNS support basic network operations, other Application layer protocols provide platforms for user-level services, such as websites, databases, file/printer sharing, email, and voice/video calling.

You must be able to identify the ports used by these services and their performance and security requirements so that you can assist with product deployments and upgrades and perform basic troubleshooting.

Lesson 8: Supporting Network Management

So far in this course, you have learned about all the different network media and topologies plus the application protocols that go toward building network connectivity and services. In this module, you will demonstrate use of tools and management methods that will help you document network assets, determine baselines, and optimize your network's performance.

Lesson 9: Explaining Network Security Concepts

You have identified the basic components and concepts for deploying and monitoring a network, but a network implementation is not complete without security mechanisms. In this module, you will describe basic concepts related to network security. As a networking professional, it is part of your responsibility to understand these fundamental concepts so that you can support network security controls.

Lesson 10: Applying Network Security Features

Authentication and authorization policies and systems enforce access control. Access control ensures that an organization's data is processed and stored securely. During your career in network support, you will often have to configure accounts and permissions and troubleshoot issues arising from access control.

Lesson 11: Supporting Network Security Design

The idea of an office network with web, file, and messaging services is a familiar one, but it is not the only use of networking. Networks are also used to support industrial and fulfillment processes, for example. The types and variety of services run over a network have a direct impact on its design, and on the security design especially. To support these diverse networks, you must be able to explain segmentation and security zone concepts. You should also be able to describe the technologies used to ensure the physical security of a network site.

Lesson 12: Configuring Wireless Networks

Wireless media technologies have distinct advantages for businesses over cabling. They can be easier to install to existing premises, and they support the device mobility that users require from laptop or smartphone-based access to networks. Wireless technology implementations offer various advantages, but you need to understand their limitations and security issues to support them properly in your network environments.

Lesson 13: Comparing Remote Access Methods

Most local networks require some sort of external connection, whether to the global Internet or within an enterprise WAN. These long-distance communications are typically facilitated by service provider links. Supporting WAN and Internet access effectively is an essential competency to learn.

User services and network management often require the creation of various types of remote access, including virtual private networks (VPNs). While remote access makes networks more usable and accessible, it also broadens the attack surface. You must understand the implications of different remote access models and protocols so that you can support their secure use.

Lesson 14: Summarizing Cloud Concepts

As the Internet becomes more robust and capable of matching the performance of local networks, many services are being moved from on-premises servers to cloud providers. Even where services are kept on-site, the different requirements and design principles of datacenters are essential competencies for network technicians at all levels.

This module completes the Network+ course by summarizing the software-driven virtualization, automation, and orchestration functionality that underpins cloud services.

CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Curriculum:

Lesson 1: Summarize Fundamental Security Concepts

Security is an ongoing process that includes assessing requirements, setting up organizational security systems, hardening and monitoring those systems, responding to attacks in progress, and deterring attackers. If you can summarize the fundamental concepts that underpin security functions, you can contribute more effectively to a security team. You must also be able to explain the importance of compliance factors and best practice frameworks in driving the selection of security controls and how departments, units, and professional roles within different types of organizations implement the security function.

Lesson 2: Compare Threat Types

To make an effective security assessment, you must be able to explain strategies for both defense and attack. Your responsibilities are likely to lie principally in defending assets, but to do this you must be able to explain the tactics, techniques, and procedures of threat actors. You must also be able to differentiate the types and capabilities of threat actors and the ways they can exploit the attack surface that your networks and systems expose.

Lesson 3: Explain Cryptographic Solutions

The protect cybersecurity function aims to build secure IT processing systems that exhibit the attributes of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Many of these systems depend wholly or in part on cryptography. As an information security professional, you must understand the concepts underpinning cryptographic algorithms and their implementation in secure protocols and services. A s trong technical understanding of the subject will enable you to explain the importance of cryptographic systems and to select appropriate technologies to meet a given security goal.

Lesson 4: Implement Identity and Access Management

Each network user and host device must be identified with an account so that you can control their access to your organization's applications, data, and services. The processes that support this requirement are referred to as identity and access management (IAM). Within IAM, authentication technologies ensure that only valid subjects (users or devices) can operate an account. Authentication requires the account holder to submit credentials that should only be known or held by them in order to access the account. There are many authentication technologies, and it is imperative that you be able to implement and maintain these security controls.

Lesson 5: Secure Enterprise Network Architecture

Managing user authentication and authorization is only one part of building secure information technology services. The network infrastructure must also be designed to run services with the properties of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. While design might not be a direct responsibility for you at this stage in your career, you should understand the factors that underpin design decisions, so that you can assist with analysis and planning.

Lesson 6: Secure Cloud Network Architecture

Cloud network architecture encompasses a range of concepts and technologies designed to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and applications within cloud-based environments. Cloud architecture and modern software deployment practices enable seamless integration, management, and optimization of resources within cloud-based environments. Key features include on-demand provisioning, elasticity, and scalability, which allow rapid deployment and dynamic adjustments to computing, storage, and network resources as required.

Lesson 7: Explain Resiliency and Site Security Concepts

Security architecture resilience refers to the design and implementation of systems and networks in a way that allows them to withstand and recover quickly from disruptions or attacks. This includes redundancy, fail-safe mechanisms, and robust incident response plans. By building resilience into the security architecture, cybersecurity teams ensure that even if a breach occurs, the impact is minimized, and normal operations can be restored quickly. Physical security protects personnel, hardware, software, networks, and data from physical actions and events that could cause severe damage or loss to an organization. This includes controls like access badges, CCTV systems, and locks, as well as sensors for intrusion detection. Physical security is a critical aspect of cybersecurity, as a breach in physical security can lead to direct access to systems and data, bypassing other cybersecurity measures.

Lesson 8: Explain Vulnerability Management

Vulnerability management is critical to any organization's cybersecurity strategy, encompassing identifying, evaluating, treating, and reporting security vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, and other components of an organization's IT operations. Vulnerability management may involve patching outdated systems, hardening configurations, or upgrading to more secure versions of operating systems. For applications, it might include code reviews, security testing, and updating third-party libraries.

Lesson 9: Evaluate Network Security Capabilities

Secure baselines, hardening, wireless security, and network access control are fundamental concepts in cybersecurity. Secure baselines establish a set of standardized security configurations for different types of IT assets, such as operating systems, networks, and applications. These baselines represent a starting point for security measures, offering a defined minimum level of security that all systems must meet. Hardening is the process of reducing system vulnerabilities to make IT resources more resilient to attacks. It involves disabling unnecessary services, configuring appropriate permissions, applying patches and updates, and ensuring adherence to secure configurations defined by the secure baselines. Wireless security describes the measures to protect wireless networks from threats and unauthorized access. This includes using robust encryption (like WPA3), secure authentication methods (like RADIUS in enterprise mode), and monitoring for rogue access points.

Lesson 10: Assess Endpoint Security Capabilities

Security strategies may include additional considerations for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. While keeping the operating system and applications updated is still crucial, other practices such as disabling unnecessary features (like Bluetooth and NFC when not in use), limiting app permissions, and avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi networks become increasingly important. Installing trusted security apps, enabling device encryption, and enforcing screen locks are essential considerations. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions help manage and control security features across various mobile devices.

Lesson 11: Enhance Application Security Capabilities

Secure protocol and application development concepts are essential pillars of robust cybersecurity. Protocols such as HTTPS, SMTPS, and SFTP provide encrypted communication channels, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity during transmission. Similarly, email security protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC work to authenticate sender identities and safeguard against phishing and spam. Secure coding practices encompass input validation to thwart attacks like SQL injection or XSS, enforcing the principle of least privilege to minimize exposure during a breach, implementing secure session management, and consistently updating and patching software components. Developers must also design software that generates structured, secure logs to support effective monitoring and alerting capabilities.

Lesson 12: Explain Incident Response and Monitoring Concepts

From a day-to-day perspective, incident response means investigating the alerts produced by monitoring systems and issues reported by users. This activity is guided by policies and procedures and assisted by various technical controls. Incident response is a critical security function, and will be a very large part of your work as a security professional. You must be able to summarize the phases of incident handling and utilize appropriate data sources to assist an investigation. Where incident response emphasizes the swift eradication of malicious activity, digital forensics requires patient capture, preservation, and analysis of evidence using verifiable methods. You may be called on to assist with an investigation into the details of a security incident and to identify threat actors. To assist these investigations, you must be able to summarize the basic concepts of collecting and processing forensic evidence that could be used in legal action or for strategic counterintelligence.

Lesson 13: Analyze Indicators of Malicious Activity

The preparation phase of incident response identifies data sources that can support investigations. It also provisions tools to aggregate and correlate this data and partially automate its analysis to drive an alerting and monitoring system. While automated detection is a huge support for the security team, it cannot identify all indicators of malicious activity. As an incident responder, you must be able to identify signs in data sources that point to a particular type of attack.

Lesson 14: Summarize Security Governance Concepts

Security governance is a critical aspect of an organization's overall security posture, providing a framework that guides the management of cybersecurity risks. It involves developing, implementing, and maintaining policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines to safeguard information assets and technical infrastructure. Security governance encompasses the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, emphasizing the need for a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. Governance frameworks must manage and maintain compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and contractual obligations while supporting the organization's strategic objectives. Effective security governance also involves continuous monitoring and improvement to adapt to evolving threats and changes in the business and regulatory environment.

Lesson 15: Explain Risk Management Processes

Effective risk management practices involve systematically identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring organizational risks. Audits provide an independent and objective evaluation of processes, controls, and compliance, ensuring adherence to standards and identifying gaps that pose risks. On the other hand, assessments help evaluate the effectiveness of risk management strategies, identify potential vulnerabilities, and prioritize mitigation efforts. By combining audits and assessments, organizations can comprehensively understand risks, implement appropriate controls, and continuously monitor and adapt their risk management strategies to protect against potential threats. These practices are essential for maintaining proactive and resilient security operations while ensuring compliance with legal mandates.

Lesson 16: Summarize Data Protection and Compliance Concepts

Data protection and compliance encompass a range of practices and principles aimed at safeguarding sensitive information, ensuring privacy, and adhering to applicable laws and regulations. Data protection involves implementing measures to secure data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. It includes practices such as encryption, access controls, data backup, and secure storage. Compliance refers to conforming to legal, regulatory, and industry requirements relevant to data handling, privacy, security, and transparency. Organizations can safeguard individuals' privacy, ensure data security, fulfill legal requirements, and establish credibility with customers, partners, and regulatory authorities by comprehending and implementing these data protection and compliance principles. Compliance with applicable data protection laws, regulations, and standards is crucial for organizations to avoid legal liabilities, reputational damage, and financial penalties associated with noncompliance.

All necessary course materials are included.

Certification(s):

This course prepares students to take the CompTIA A+ 220-1101, 220-1102, Network+ N10-009, and Security+ SY0-701 certification exams.

System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:

• Cable, Fiber, DSL, or LEO Satellite (i.e. Starlink) internet with speeds of at least 10mb/sec download and 5mb/sec upload are recommended for the best experience.

NOTE: While cellular hotspots may allow access to our courses, users may experience connectivity issues by trying to access our learning management system.  This is due to the potential high download and upload latency of cellular connections.   Therefore, it is not recommended that students use a cellular hotspot as their primary way of accessing their courses.

Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 4 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher.  1920x1080 resolution is recommended for the best experience.
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone for Webinar or Live Online sessions.

Operating System Requirements:

• Windows 7 or higher.
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions
  

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

Web Browser Requirements:

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

Basic Software Requirements (These are recommendations of software to use):

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is described in the above course outline.