Save on the cost of getting your Security+ certification

In May, CompTIA is scheduled to release the newest version of the SY0-401 certification exam, more commonly known as Security+. This entry-level certification is aimed at the administrator who has two years’ experience in the field and is currently held by more than 250,000 worldwide. Additionally, it is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense …

Dear CertMag: The value of certification cross-pollination

 Dear CertMag  is a weekly feature that addresses common questions about certification and related IT issues. Have a question? Send an e-mail to editor (at) certmag (dot) com.

Dear CertMag: I’m a network engineer with a job I enjoy. I’ve been working through a series of Cisco certs for several years now to build up …

Counting the cost: Why are certifications so expensive?

In October of last year, CertMag published an article I wrote about the earning potential of gaining Oracle (and other) certifications. Essentially, I attempted to address a common question asked by many certification candidates: Will getting more certifications earn me a lot …

Dear CertMag: Why didn’t I get a raise?

 Dear CertMag  is a weekly feature that addresses common questions about certification and related IT issues. Have a question? Send an e-mail to editor (at) certmag (dot) com.

Dear CertMag: I have a stable job at a large regional hospital managing payment processing. I’ve been in my current position for five years, but my salary …

Picture This: A Visual Guide to Redundant Arrays

A basic understanding of the technology behind RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a necessity for many entry-level certifications, yet the concept can be difficult to make sense of. Currently, certification candidates need to know the topic — again, at a basic level — for all three of the core CompTIA certifications (A+, Network+, …

Salary Survey PLUS — ISACA

A favorite question among certification candidates is the one about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: How much money will I make after I finish this certification? There are several factors that determine salary, of course, but a good certification can be a strong argument for someone seeking a raise or …

Dear CertMag: I want to work in IT security

 Dear CertMag  is a weekly feature that addresses common questions about certification and related IT issues. Have a question? Send an e-mail to editor (at) certmag (dot) com.

Dear CertMag: I’ve been using and messing with computers since junior high school. I tried college for a couple of years, but it just doesn’t work for …

Shuffling the deck of MySQL certifications

When Oracle acquired Sun in January of 2010, it inherited the MySQL database and the associated Sun certification program. The MySQL certification exams were immediately added to the Oracle Certifications Program. With the exception of altering the title (i.e. Sun Certified MySQL Associate became Oracle Certified Associate, MySQL 5), the certification exams have been left …

Dear CertMag: How do I make time for certification?

 Dear CertMag  is a weekly feature that addresses common questions about certification and related IT issues. Have a question? Send an e-mail to editor (at) certmag (dot) com.

Dear CertMag: I have a full-time job and my wife and I have four active children who seem to produce a never-ending stream of homework and school projects. …

Wearing your certification on your sleeve

The Oracle Certification Program announced in January the availability of branded merchandise for professionals who have earned one or more certifications. At this time, there are only a handful of items available: two styles of shirts (a T-shirt and a polo shirt), a gym bag, and journals in two sizes. I am surprised how fast …