ANC Group

Origin of CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ was created by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a non-profit trade association established in 1982. The Security+ certification was first launched in 2002 as a response to the growing need for standardized cybersecurity knowledge in the IT industry. CompTIA developed this vendor-neutral certification to establish a baseline of competency for IT security professionals, covering essential principles and best practices that apply across different technologies and platforms rather than focusing on specific products or vendors.

Industry Value and Importance

Security+ is widely recognized as one of the most valuable entry-to-intermediate level cybersecurity certifications in the industry. It meets the ISO 17024 standard and is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as one of the required certifications for information assurance positions, making it particularly valuable for government contractors and military personnel. Employers value Security+ because it validates that holders possess practical, hands-on skills in areas such as threat detection, risk management, cryptography, and network security. The certification's vendor-neutral approach means certified professionals can work with any technology platform, making them versatile assets to organizations of all sizes and across all sectors.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification

Origin and Creation

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification was created by the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) in 2003. EC-Council, founded by Jay Bavisi, developed this certification in response to the growing need for standardized training in ethical hacking and penetration testing methodologies. The program was designed to legitimize the practice of "white hat" hacking by establishing a professional framework for security professionals who need to think like malicious hackers in order to better defend their organizations' systems and networks.

Industry Value and Importance

The CEH certification is widely recognized and valued in the cybersecurity industry because it validates a professional's knowledge of current hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies from an attacker's perspective. Many government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, and numerous private sector organizations recognize CEH as meeting their information assurance training requirements. The certification demonstrates that holders understand how to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in systems, making them valuable assets for organizations seeking to strengthen their security posture through proactive testing and assessment.