Archive for the ‘Security+’ Category

The Role IT Certifications Play in the Hiring Process

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Recently released, the CompTIA study Employer Perception of IT Training and Certification reports employers are inclined to rely more heavily on professional certifications when hiring information technology (IT) workers, but are challenged by credential evaluation and validation issues.

Professional certifications are already viewed by hiring managers as a high-value validation of IT skills. The CompTIA study suggests certifications will grow in importance as organizations seek to fill tech jobs. Eight in ten human resources (HR) professionals surveyed believe IT certifications will grow in usefulness and importance over the next two years. But employers also expressed concerns about some aspects of using IT certifications in the hiring process. There is a perception among some hiring IT managers that the HR department does not have a solid understanding of IT certifications. Some firms also said verifying a job candidate’s credentials can be a challenge due to the time involved and effort required.

Experience, track record and accomplishments rank as the most important factors when evaluating job candidates, according to the study. But education and credentials such as certifications also rank high. For example, 86 percent of hiring managers indicate IT certifications are a high or medium priority during the candidate evaluation process.

The study suggests that certifications will become even more important as employers struggle to find individuals to fill job openings. Despite a virtual buyer’s market for hiring, roughly eight in ten HR executives in the United States said it’s challenging to find the right candidate with the right skill set to fill their openings. Many IT managers in the study share a similar view. Tim Herbert, vice president, research, CompTIA notes, “In an environment of needing to do more with less, organizations cannot afford the time and cost of bringing on a new employee who cannot contribute immediately.”

The CompTIA study Employer Perception of IT Training and Certification is the result of two separate online surveys: to 1,385 business and IT executives that made a recent IT hiring decision in the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa; and to 300 HR professionals in the U.S.

PrepLogic offers training for over a hundred different certifications, including CompTIA certifications, Cisco certifications and MCITP certifications. Visit http://www.preplogic.com to learn more about advancing your career with affordable IT skills training.

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Posted in A+ Certification, CCNA, CCNA Voice, CCNP, CCNP Voice, CCVP, Certification, Cisco, CompTIA, Engineers, IT Industry, IT Training, MCITP, Microsoft, Network+, Preplogic, Security+ | No Comments »

IT Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

If you know or work with exceptional, hard working and remarkably inventive IT professionals, CompTIA wants to recognize them in the IT Hall of Fame!

The deadline to nominate an individual or group for the IT Hall of Fame Class of 2011 is Tuesday, February 1st. Only 6 days away!

The IT Hall of Fame consists of two wings: the IT Channel Wing for individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided outstanding service to the IT channel; and the IT Innovators Wing, recognizing individuals responsible for outstanding technology innovations.

Any individual, living or deceased, who has pioneered or uniquely helped the IT channel flourish or who is responsible for a major IT innovation, is eligible for induction.

Criteria for election to the IT Channel Wing include:

• Significant experience in the IT channel
• Innovative product/service or marketing introductions
• Service in an important capacity in or related to the IT channel (e.g. volunteer board position)
• An unimpeachable record of integrity and respect in the channel
• A prominent role in promoting the public’s awareness of the IT channel as a significant and responsible member of the business community

For the IT Innovator Wing, nominee criteria include:

• Creator of a major innovation in IT
• An unimpeachable record of integrity and respect in the industry

All nominees will be considered and voted on by an independent Hall of Fame selection committee. Between two and six individuals or groups will be selected for induction. Inductees for 2011 will be honored at the CompTIA Annual Member Meeting April 7, 2011 in Chicago.

This information was found at http://www.comptia.org/news

To inquire about CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+ and many other CompTIA certifications please give one of our account representatives a call at 1-800- 418-6789.

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New Continuing Education Program Available to CompTIA Certified IT Professionals

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Now that CompTIA has enacted its Certification Renewal Policy (effective January 1, 2011) those in IT planning on getting CompTIA A+,  Network+ and/or Security+ certified are probably wondering, “What exactly does this renewal policy entail?” Here’s the rundown…

Anyone CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+ certified after January 1, 2011 will be required to renew their certification every three years. For all of those anxiety ridden test takers shivering at the thought of taking a certification exam every three years, there is another option. Your certification can be renewed by participating in CompTIA’s Continuing Education Program, which allows individuals to keep their skills current and their certifications up-to-date without retesting.

In order to renew your certification via the continuing education program, you must earn a set amount of “continuing education units (CEUs)”. To renew CompTIA A+ requires 20 CEUs; to renew CompTIA Network+, 30 CEUs; and to renew CompTIA Security+, 50 CEUs.  CompTIA has created a chart of qualifying activities that can earn you CEUs. Generally speaking, these activities consist of a wide array of educational and learning opportunities including:

  • Teaching, lecturing or presenting on relevant industry topics
  • Participating non-degree courses or computer- based training
  • Attending relevant industry conferences and events
  • Publishing articles, white papers, blog posts or books on relevant topics
  • Obtaining other industry certifications
  • Passing the most current exam for your CompTIA certification

For a detailed list of qualified activities see CompTIA Continuing Education Qualified Activities Chart.

The CompTIA Continuing Education Program uses a Web-based system linked to the existing database that CompTIA certification holders use. Once you’ve enrolled in the program, you can submit continuing education units and track your status online as you work toward your target CEU amount. As part of the ongoing audit process, subject matter experts will review activity submissions to ensure what is being completed is relevant to your continuing education program level, demonstrating knowledge equal to or above your current certifications.

There is a small fee required of participants in the CompTIA Continuing Education Program. CompTIA explains the annual maintenance fee offsets the costs associated for the administration and hosting of the continuing education program and system. The annual fee is $25 for CompTIA A+ certified individuals or $49 for CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Security+ certified individuals.

For more in depth information about CompTIA’s Continuing Education Program, visit http://www.comptia.org/.

PrepLogic offers CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ computer-based-training, Mega Guides, Practice Exams and Audiobooks. Call 1-800-418-6789 to speak with an account representative about becoming CompTIA certified.

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Posted in A+ Certification, Certification, CompTIA, IT Industry, IT Service Management, IT Training, Preplogic, Security+ | No Comments »

What Happened to CompTIA’s “Good for Life” Certifications?

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

January 1, 2011 marked a new era for three of the most popular CompTIA certifications. Falling in line with many other major IT certification vendors, CompTIA has put an expiration date on their A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications. Effective January 1, 2011 all CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications will be valid for three years from the date the candidate is certified. After three years, the certification must be renewed.  Gone are the days of being “certified for life”…at least for those IT pros certified after January 1, 2011.

If you are one of the many techies who earned a “lifetime” CompTIA certification prior to January 1, 2011, you have not been bamboozled. The new renewal policy does not affect those individuals who were certified prior to 2011. All individuals certified on or before December 31, 2010 will retain their “certified for life” status. So what’s the catch? There is no catch…per say. But there is a difference between a person’s certificate who certified before 2011 and a person who certifies now, in 2011.

Anyone certified before 2011 will have no valid through date on their certificate or certificate holder CompTIA ID card. Anyone certified on or after January 1, 2011 will receive a certificate and certificate holder CompTIA ID card with an expiration date, along with a “ce” notation.  The ce notation denotes the new CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) Program associated with the renewal program and signifies that the certification will expire three years from the date certified.

If you are planning on getting CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+ certified, there is an alternative to taking a new exam every three years. The certification renewal policy includes the continuing education component that allows certified individuals to renew their certifications by earning continuing education units, opposed to retaking the most current version of the CompTIA A+, Network+ or Security+ every three years.  CompTIA.org reports, “The CompTIA Continuing Education (CE) Program has been designed to allow individuals a cost-effective method for keeping certifications current through the completion of variety of activities that demonstrate relevant industry knowledge.” (Look for more on CompTIA’s Continuing Education Program in a future blog).

What’s the reason for this policy change? Why are CompTIA certifications no longer “good for life?”  CompTIA’s Continuing Education Program and Certification Renewal Policy cites:

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an international body which standardizes the procedures used by personnel certification bodies, requires that individuals have a way to renew the currency of their certification on a regular basis. In CompTIA’s case, that renewal will occur every three years.

This change in policy is in line with the practice of other major providers of certifications for IT professionals. In today’s IT environment it’s important for IT professionals to demonstrate that their knowledge and skills are current. CompTIA’s new renewal program is a way to assist those individuals who would like to take advantage of it. Our certification renewal program includes a continuing education component that gives eligible certification holders a range of ways to keep their CompTIA certifications current without necessarily having to take a new exam.

As we all know, technology is ever-evolving and constantly changing. And in order for your certifications to stay relevant in this fast-paced technological world, those certs must reflect that your IT skills have evolved along with technology. And with CompTIA’s A+, Network+ and Security+ continually being updated with new content developed in conjunction  with the latest must-know subject matter, having to renew your certifications will demonstrate to employers that your IT knowledge is up-to-date and pertinent.

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Posted in A+ Certification, Career, Certification, CompTIA, IT Industry, IT Service Management, IT Training, Network+, Preplogic, Security+ | No Comments »

Press Release: PrepLogic Gives Back to Community with Donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

PrepLogic, an IT certification and skills training company with headquarters in Tampa, is one of the title sponsors of the 2nd Annual Golf Fore Kids’ Sake Scramble benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Inc.  PrepLogic is making a $5,000 contribution to the Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser, which takes place on November 15th at Eaglebrooke Golf & Country Club in Lakeland. The donation from PrepLogic will go towards the Big Brothers Big Sisters children’s mentoring program. This donation is part of PrepLogic’s continuing initiative to support local charitable projects that help out children in need.

As a web-based IT training company, PrepLogic provides high level skills training and IT certification exam preparation to people all over the world. They offer computer-based and interactive training for such IT skills as system administration, networking, security, voice technologies and project management. Individuals and companies can choose from a wide array of well-respected IT certification vendors, including Cisco training, MCITP training and CompTIA training. PrepLogic has helped thousands of people earn IT certifications in their twelve year history.

PrepLogic’s $5,000 contribution will fund five “Big” and “Little” matches. “We are really excited and proud to take part in such a great organization,” said PrepLogic’s President Jay Gandee. “Big Brothers Big Sisters has really made a difference in the lives of children here in Tampa Bay. We are thrilled to be a part of that and help out however we can.”

“The lingering impact of the recession has affected children living with families at or below the poverty level the most,” said Stephen Koch, Big Brothers Big Sisters President and CEO.  “PrepLogic’s investment in services for kids who need it the most is an inspiring example of corporate philanthropy at its best.  We know from our documented outcomes that providing these children with a properly screened and trained volunteer will change their perspectives on life and consequently, change their lives forever.  We applaud PrepLogic for their generosity and focus on the future……our children.”

To find out more about the 2nd Annual Golf Fore Kids’ Sake Scramble, call 813-769-3600 or visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters website.

For more information about PrepLogic, call PrepLogic at 1-800-418-6789 or visit http://www.preplogic.com/.

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Posted in A+ Certification, Career, CCNA, Certification, Cisco, CompTIA, Donations, IT Industry, IT Service Management, IT Training, MCITP, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Network+, Preplogic, Security+ | No Comments »

Fall Clearance Sale : Ends Friday, September 24

Monday, September 20th, 2010

The summer is over.  The holiday season is around the corner. NOW is the time to get certified before you get boggled down with holiday parties, family gatherings and winter vacations. Take advantage of these next couple months and start training for your A+ certification, CCNA certification, MCITP certification and many more of the most sought after IT certifications with the help of PrepLogic.  We know how valuable your time is, and how expensive IT training programs can be. With PrepLogic’s smarter training approach,  you learn faster and at a price you can actually afford.  And, we guarantee you’ll pass your exam the first time around.  In order to encourage you to quit putting off earning your certification, PrepLogic is running an incredible sale on ALL our award winning products.  Check out what we have going on!

ALL LearnSmart Video Training $300* Off
Learn from world renown IT instructors right from your living room! Our LearnSmart video instruction is not only informative and effective, but also entertaining!  We’ve completely updated our online LearnSmart Video Training experience with integrated, downloadable study guide and audio training content and our industry-first LearnSmart Personal Trainer system.  Choose from over 100 interactive video titles now and save $300* instantly. (Max discount 40%)

$39 Printables
Study for your MCITP certification, A+ certification  or Cisco certification anywhere with these easy-to-print practice exam questions. Each PrepLogic Printables exam gives you hundreds of genuine practice questions with detailed answers and explanations plus a quick-reference answer key.  Now you can use Printables on your Kindle, iPad, Nook or smartphone.  Right now, save $70!

$3 Mega Guides
PrepLogic’s Mega Guides are condensed PDF study guides that teach you all the the essential knowledge you need to pass your exam. Why lug around heavy, superfluous texts books when you can use a 100 page Mega Guide that contains the same key material, but in a light weight, concise format.  Save over $30 on dozens of titles, including: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, Microsoft SharePoint, Windows XP Professional and tons more!

ALL Practice Exams just $47
To get you accustomed to the real exam, Preplogic Practice Exam questions are presented in the same style as the real exam.  Expert authors create a large selection of realistic, challenging questions for each exam to ensure you are fully prepared for test day.  This week, you’ll save up to $180 on our whole selection of Practice Exams.

ALL Quiz Me & Lecture Series Audio Training Only $18
Master the CCNA, Network+, A+ and over 50 other IT certification titles anywhere you can listen to headphones! PrepLogic’s audio training allows you to learn while driving to work, waiting for a dentist’s appointment or lying on your couch! Listen and learn with our audio lectures and audio practice exams and you’ll be ready to take that MCITP certification exam in no time.

If you want to be competitive in 2011, you need to have certifications like A+, CCNA and MCITP on your resume. PrepLogic will help you do that with our affordable training products that help you learn faster and smarter.  Don’t miss out on this unbelievable sale. Check out our homepage or call 1-800-418-6789 to start your training today!

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Posted in A+ Certification, Career, CCNA, CCNP, Certification, Cisco, CompTIA, IT Industry, IT Service Management, MCITP, Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Network+, Preplogic, Security+, Sharepoint 2010, Uncategorized, Windows 7 | No Comments »

New and Improved PrepLogic Learning System!

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Over the past few weeks our users have noticed some really cool new features and improvements that have been added to our Online LearnSmart Video Training. These new features are all part of our upgrade from Online LearnSmart Video Training to our brand new PrepLogic Learning System. This new system provides all the excellent features and benefits of LearnSmart Video Training, plus the extra bonus of enhanced training, custom study guides, audio training and much more. It gives you the total training solution you need to pass your exam and get certified more quickly and effectively than ever before. So, let’s take this opportunity to go over some of the new features you’ll see the next time you log in to your LearnSmart Training System.

LearnSmart Video Training

LearnSmart Video Training provides start-to-finish instruction from experts with years of training experience. LearnSmart is a video based training product created, written and developed by IT and vocational skills expert trainers. Each course contains complete instruction sufficient for certification exams from universally respected certification bodies, such as Microsoft, CompTIA, VMWare and Cisco. LearnSmart Video Training features elegant, studio quality presentation with full color video, graphics, screenshots and demos.

The new PrepLogic LearnSmart Video Training features improved video controls, where you can adjust screen size and start, stop and rewind video at your leisure. This allows you to work at a speed that is the most conducive to your pace of learning, and thus the most effective. We’ve also added the ability to toggle video from the main window to the smaller, brand new Content Reader. The Reader delivers study guide material related to your video segments in an easy to navigate window.

Log In

Accessing your personal PrepLogic Learning System account is now easier than ever with our new and improved log in process. You can access your individualized Online LearnSmart Video Training by logging into your account through the PrepLogic homepage. Once you have logged in, you simply click on the “Online LearnSmart Video Training Icon” where you will then be prompted to your personal video course catalog, containing all of the certification training courses you have purchased. PrepLogic offers a wide variety of IT certification exam training, such as CompTIA A+, Microsoft MCITP Enterprise Administrator and Server Administrator, CCNA certification training and more.

Video Index

The Video Index feature functions as a table of contents for the course. The Video Index lists every segment of the course, allowing you to click on different segments and watch each segment’s corresponding video as you choose. You can watch specific segments repeatedly, in the case of more difficult material, or even skip over segments that you are already familiar with. Each video segment in the Video Index lists the length of time in that particular segment and becomes highlighted in the Index after the segment has been viewed. The Video Index organizes the course study in an easy to navigate, easy to read fashion, in which you, the student, are in control of the course and can keep track of your progress as you make your way through the material.

PrepLogic has greatly improved the functionality of the Video Index. You can now shrink and expand the streamlined Index to your preferred size. We’ve also improved the visibility and usability of the Index, which helps keep you organized through out your training by clearly showing, in a syllabus type format, the order of the videos in your training course, as well as keeping track of which videos you have watched in previous sessions.

Starred Training

Another new facet of the Video Index is the “Starred Training” feature. To the left of each segment listed in the Index, there is the option to click on a white star, which becomes yellow when clicked, marking that segment “starred” and categorizing it in your “My Starred Items” folder. This feature allows you to mark those segments you find the most important or critical to your course of study. Clicking on the “Starred Training” icon above the Video Index changes the Video Index to show only the items you starred, letting you focus on those starred videos. Choosing specific videos you want to watch, through the Starred Training feature, allows you to create your own custom course, where you can focus specifically, on what you need to be learning.

Content Reader

New Feature! The PrepLogic Learning System now includes a smart content reader that delivers “wiki-style” study guide content related to your video into an easy to use window labeled “Reader” below the Video Index. You can follow along in the Reader while watching video, enlarge the Reader content to the main screen, switching the video to the smaller screen, or email yourself the content in the Reader, creating your own PDF study guide that you can use on the go. The Reader works in conjunction with the video training for a truly comprehensive exam training experience.

IT Glossary

Recently added to the PrepLogic Learning System is the IT Glossary. This tool enables users to look up key IT terms and their definitions. Along with the definition of a term, the glossary provides related tags to that term. There are thousands of essential technical terms in the glossary, relating to fields such as networking, security, data base management and project management. The glossary is a quick and easy tool that makes sure you are familiar and knowledgeable with the language of popular certification exams like CISSP, Oracle, PMP, Microsoft MCITP, and Microsoft MCSE.

Download Extras

The Download Extras feature allows you to download custom study guides and audio training. PrepLogic is committed to making your IT certification training extremely accessible, so while you can download the PDF’s instantly to your computer you can also send the content to your mobile device, Kindle, iPad, Blackberry, Barnes and Noble Nook and many more devices. Now you can study for your IT certification exam virtually anywhere!

Audio Training

The audio segments are set up just like the Video Index, but in their own “Audio Index”, and can be played on your computer, just like the Video Lecture Series. When listening to the Audio Training Series on your computer, in your PrepLogic Learning System, glossary terms appear on the video screen to enhance your learning experience.

You can now enjoy your Lecture Series audio training online, or download it for use on your MP3 player, iPhone, iPod or any other device that plays audio. You can study in your car, at the gym or even walking the dog! Audio training helps improve memory retention so learning can occur more quickly and training can be completed faster. With the ability to listen to your certification training program on any portable audio device you will be confident and ready to take that CCNA certification exam or CompTIA Network+ certification exam in no time!

Most Recent Training Sessions

Below the video screen, you will find an index of your most recent training sessions. Re-live recent training sessions with a single click. You can also see what date you engaged in that session, as well as the time and duration. This tool serves as an excellent reminder of what you studied in previous sessions, and is a super-convenient way to recap your prior lessons.

Personal Trainer

PrepLogic developed the Personal Trainer tool to help you not only create a realistic study plan, but more importantly, help keep you on track with that study plan. When you begin your PrepLogic Learning System training, the Personal Trainer prompts you to set an exact date (referred to as the target completion date) of when you want to be finished with the training and fully ready to take the desired certification exam, along with the number of days per week you will be training. The Personal Trainer then calculates how many hours per week you should train in order meet that completion date.

The Personal Trainer keeps track of your progress in the course and lets you know, at the current rate you are training, if you are on pace to finish by your goal date. If you are not, the Personal Trainer tells you the expected date you will be finished if you keep at the current pace and how many hours behind your target pace you actually are. The “Stay on Pace!” reminder tells you which video to begin training with that day and which video to continue training through in order to keep your original pace. The Personal Trainer also keeps a calendar, tracking what days you trained and for how long. The calendar color codes your training into three categories: “On Pace”, “Behind Target Pace” and “Goal at Risk”. This serves as a motivational tool, and makes it clear to you how you are progressing.

The Personal Trainer Preview, conveniently located at the bottom of the screen, keeps a constant tab on your progression through the program, continuously showing you, percentage wise, how much training you have completed, how many days left remaining until your target completion date and how many hours per week you should be training in order to obtain that goal. The Personal Trainer, in combination with the Video Index, provides the much desired structure and direction of a classroom syllabus, but is actually designed by you, which allows for the flexibility you need, at a speed you can handle.

The innovative PrepLogic Learning System was designed with you in mind. The PrepLogic Learning System helps you learn faster and train smarter. The combination of Online LearnSmart Video Training, Audio Training, customizable study guides, flexible training schedules, and many more unique features make IT certification training with PrepLogic simple and enjoyable.

If you would like to inquire further about the PrepLogic Learning System or have any questions, please call 1-800-418-6789. Thank you for your interest and good luck with your IT certification training!

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Posted in A+ Certification, Career, CCNA, CCNP, Certification, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Cisco, CISSP®, CompTIA, Convergence+, CWNP, Hyper-V, IT Industry, IT Training, ITIL, MCITP, Microsoft, Network+, Preplogic, Security+, Sharepoint 2010, Virtualization, Windows 7 | No Comments »

Practice Exams $59 through August 31

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

For the rest of the month, PrepLogic is keeping the price of our practice exams lowered to just $59. As many of you know, almost 80% of certified professionals use practice exams to pass their tests. So, if you’re working towards passing a certification exam it’s very important that you get a great practice exam that will help you get prepared for exam day.

For years, one of our most popular practice exams is for the CCNA certification. The Cisco CCNA Certification is still one of the most important credentials a technician can earn. PrepLogic’s Practice Exams give you the most practical and reliable training you can get for this exam with 6 complete practice test modules. You’ll have the option of using simulation mode, which is a straight up simulation of your exam, or learning mode which gives you the opportunity to customize and randomize the exam for your own needs. There’s over 340 questions available in this practice exam, which will give you plenty of experience answering questions before test day. Want to test your skills now? Check out this sample question from our CCNA Practice Exam:

Question
You have two routers within your network, and you need to enable RIP as your routing protocol. The routers are connected by the 192.168.1.0/24 network. Router A also has an interface in the 10.1.1.0/24 network. Router B has an interface in the 172.16.0.0/16 network. What are all the commands necessary to enable RIP on router B, and ensure all connected networks are reachable by router A?

Select the best answer.

A. router rip
B. router rip network 192.168.1.0
C. enable router rip network 10.0.0.0 network 192.168.1.0
D. router rip network 172.16.0.0 network 192.168.1.0

Exhibit:

Q63-Exhibit

The correct answer is D

Explanations
Answer A is incorrect because this command would just activate the routing protocol.

Answer B is incorrect. In order to ensure that router A learns all the connected networks on router B, you must use the network command for each interface, and directly connnected interfaces.

Answer C is incorrect because “enable router rip” is not a correct command.

Answer D is the correct choice. The “router rip” command activates RIP as the routing protocol. The “network” command then activates RIP processing for interfaces associated with the networks. In order for router B to propagate and receive information, both the 192.168.1.0 and 172.16.0.0 network statements must be present.

PrepLogic’s CCNA Practice Exam also provides advanced scoring and testing features to help increase your learning speed, as well as integration with Lecture Series audio training to give you audio coaching along the way. The everyday price for the CCNA practice exam is over $100, so now is a great time to pick it up for just $59. All of our practice exams will be discounted from now through August 31. If you have any questions about the CCNA Practice Exam (or any of our other exams for Microsoft MCITP certification, CompTIA A+ certification, Cisco certification and many more) give our guys a call at 1-800-418-6789. Thanks and good luck on your exam.

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Posted in A+ Certification, Career, CCNA, Certification, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Cisco, CISSP®, CompTIA, IT Industry, IT Training, MCITP, Microsoft, Network+, Preplogic, Security+, Uncategorized, Windows 7 | No Comments »

PrepLogic Responds to Your Feedback

Friday, June 18th, 2010
Every PrepLogic Practice Exam question includes a “Feedback Link” that allows you to provide feedback or alert us to items you believe may be in error. From time to time we like to address some of your remarks here in our blog. Let’s take a look at some of our recent Practice Exam Feedback.
Our first comment is in regards to a question in our Certified Ethical Hacker (312-50) Practice Exam. The question is:
You are a security consultant hired to perform a wireless penetration test. Which of the following would be considered part of the test? Select the best answers.
A.) Application Testing and Code Review
B.) Cordless Communications Testing
C.) Privacy Review
D.) Infrared Systems Testing
E.) PBX Testing
F.) Intrusion Detection System Testing
The correct answers are B, C and D.
Vincent writes in to say that “IDS testing should be a part of any Pen Testing for WAN or LAN.”
This is an excellent point for discussion. It’s true that IDS, in theory, can be used in the testing of wireless network vulnerabilities, but it isn’t a standard practice according to the CEH exam. IDS testing is essentially meant for wired communications. This journal article notes the need for improvements to IDS systems in order to account for the inherent vulnerabilities in wireless networks, but at this time, IDS systems are not used in this way. In the wireless penetration test example given, Cordless Communications Testing, Privacy Review and Infrared Systems Testing would be considered part of the test.
Our next comment comes from the feedback for our CISSP® Practice Exam. The question is:
Which of the following is NOT a preventative physical access control? Select the best answer.
A.) Biometrics
B.) Fences
C.) Call back systems
D.) CCTV (Closed-Circuit TV)
The correct answer is C, Call back systems, which is a preventative technical access control.
Our commenter asks “Isn’t biometrics considered more of a technical control than a physical control?”
It is true that Biometrics is a technical control.  But it is also a physical control.  Consider that a technical access control mechanism is one that prevents access to systems with the intention of protecting information. Laptops with built-in fingerprint scanners would be an example of biometrics used as a technical access control mechanism.  Physical access control mechanisms are distinguished from technical access control mechanisms, in that they restrict you from physically entering a space you don’t belong.  A finger print scanner at a secure entryway would be a biometric physical access control mechanism. Of the choices listed, Call back systems are not a preventative physical access control.
The final comment we will address today is from PrepLogic’s A+ Practical Application (220-702) Practice Exam. The question is:
Question: You upgrade a system that contains a layered service provider from a previous version of Windows Vista.  The system loses network connectivity when configured for dynamic address assignment. How would you verify that this upgrade is the probable issue? Select the best answer.
A.) Open a command prompt with administrator rights, issue netsh winsock reset and check the listings.
B.) Open a command prompt, issue ipconfig and check for a “169.254.x.x” IPv4 address.
C.) Unplug and reinsert the network card, check for a loose cable and try to ping a nearby host.
D.) Call the Internet Service Provider and contact a network administrator.
The correct answer is B.  The 169.254.x.x is an APIPA address, signifying that the computer has no current network visibility.
An A+ candidate writes that “an APIPA does not verify an upgrade issue. There are many possible reasons for an APIPA. The only thing it verifies is that there is no network connectivity.”
One of the biggest problems with Layered Service Providers is corruption of the TCP/IP stack, usually as a result of improper or incomplete removal of the service.  This is a widely known issue.  If the TCP/IP stack does become corrupted, the computer no longer can access the network and, thus, the computer pulls an APIPA address rather than one assigned by DHCP.  We can verify that the upgrade is the problem on the simple notion of causality.  Before the upgrade, my computer had access to the network.  After the upgrade, my computer pulls an APIPA address, leaving me to believe the TCP/IP stack is corrupted, since the question includes no additional information regarding improper DHCP configuration is included in the stem.
Remember, if you have any comments or questions about a practice question, simply submit your comment and our editorial team will review it. If we made a mistake (we’re only human!) we’ll correct it in a practice exam update. Thanks for your feedback, and good luck on your exams.

Every PrepLogic Practice Exam question includes a “Feedback Link” that allows you to provide feedback or alert us to items you believe may be in error. From time to time we like to address some of your remarks here in our blog. Let’s take a look at some of our recent Practice Exam Feedback.

Our first comment is in regards to a question in our Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) (312-50) Practice Exam. The question is:

You are a security consultant hired to perform a wireless penetration test. Which of the following would be considered part of the test? Select the best answers.

A.) Application Testing and Code Review
B.) Cordless Communications Testing
C.) Privacy Review
D.) Infrared Systems Testing
E.) PBX Testing
F.) Intrusion Detection System Testing

The correct answers are B, C and D.

Vincent writes in to say that “IDS testing should be a part of any Pen Testing for WAN or LAN.”  This is an excellent point for discussion. It’s true that IDS, in theory, can be used in the testing of wireless network vulnerabilities, but it isn’t a standard practice according to the CEH exam. IDS testing is essentially meant for wired communications. This journal article notes the need for improvements to IDS systems in order to account for the inherent vulnerabilities in wireless networks, but at this time, IDS systems are not used in this way. In the wireless penetration test example given, Cordless Communications Testing, Privacy Review and Infrared Systems Testing would be considered part of the test.

Our next comment comes from the feedback for our CISSP® Practice Exam. The question is:

Which of the following is NOT a preventative physical access control? Select the best answer.

A.) Biometrics
B.) Fences
C.) Call back systems
D.) CCTV (Closed-Circuit TV)

The correct answer is C, Call back systems, which is a preventative technical access control.

Our commenter asks “Isn’t biometrics considered more of a technical control than a physical control?” While it is true that Biometrics is a technical control, it is also a physical control.  Consider that a technical access control mechanism is one that prevents access to systems with the intention of protecting information. Laptops with built-in fingerprint scanners would be an example of biometrics used as a technical access control mechanism.  Physical access control mechanisms are distinguished from technical access control mechanisms, in that they restrict you from physically entering a space you don’t belong.  A finger print scanner at a secure entryway would be a biometric physical access control mechanism. Of the choices listed, Call back systems are not a preventative physical access control.

The final comment we will address today is from PrepLogic’s A+ Practical Application (220-702) Practice Exam. The question is:

You upgrade a system that contains a layered service provider from a previous version of Windows Vista.  The system loses network connectivity when configured for dynamic address assignment. How would you verify that this upgrade is the probable issue? Select the best answer.

A.) Open a command prompt with administrator rights, issue netsh winsock reset and check the listings.
B.) Open a command prompt, issue ipconfig and check for a “169.254.x.x” IPv4 address.
C.) Unplug and reinsert the network card, check for a loose cable and try to ping a nearby host.
D.) Call the Internet Service Provider and contact a network administrator.

The correct answer is B.  The 169.254.x.x is an APIPA address, signifying that the computer has no current network visibility.

An A+ candidate writes that “an APIPA does not verify an upgrade issue. There are many possible reasons for an APIPA. The only thing it verifies is that there is no network connectivity.” One of the biggest problems with Layered Service Providers is corruption of the TCP/IP stack, usually as a result of improper or incomplete removal of the service.  This is a widely known issue.  If the TCP/IP stack does become corrupted, the computer no longer can access the network and, thus, the computer pulls an APIPA address rather than one assigned by DHCP.  We can verify that the upgrade is the problem on the simple notion of causality.  Before the upgrade, my computer had access to the network.  After the upgrade, my computer pulls an APIPA address, leaving me to believe the TCP/IP stack is corrupted, since the question includes no additional information regarding improper DHCP configuration is included in the stem.

Remember, if you have any comments or questions about a practice question, simply submit your comment and our editorial team will review it. If we made a mistake (we’re only human!) we’ll correct it in a practice exam update. Thanks for your feedback, and good luck on your exams.

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Posted in A+ Certification, Career, Certification, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CISSP®, Microsoft, Preplogic, Security+, Wireless | No Comments »

High Tech Jobs on the Rise

Monday, May 24th, 2010

A new article published by the Associated Press has good news for people looking for a job in technology. High-tech jobs, especially positions for individuals with IT certifications, are on the rise.  According to the article, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics rates job prospects as excellent for IT positions  “ranging from network administrators, software engineers and programmers to computer manufacturers, operators and repairers.”

Sources in the article recommend certifications including CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ for those interested in taking advantage of the opportunities in the field.

Additionally, the article indicates that the opportunities aren’t limited to high-tech companies. IT positions in the medical field are likely to increase due to the ramping up of online, confidential medical records and documentation.  “Feeding that growth is the more than $25 billion that the federal government plans to spend to expand use of health IT by 2014.”  Positions that should increase in demand include network systems analysts, data communication analysts and software engineers.

For more information about IT certifications and the opportunities they provide, contact PrepLogic’s IT career counselors at 1-800-418-6789.

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Posted in A+ Certification, Career, Certification, CompTIA, Preplogic, Security+ | No Comments »