Is CASP Worth It?
Unarguably, you’ll certainly agree with me that finding one’s dream job in today’s world can be a very challenging thing to do. Most times, you need to stay ahead of the competition, enroll in and get as many credentials as possible to be able to land your preferred job.
If you’re in the technical field, especially the cybersecurity space, one of the often talked about certifications you’ll likely need to increase your chances of getting a good-paying job is CASP.
If you don’t know, the term “CASP” is an abbreviation for CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner, a certification in the information security space. The exam, which covers several different domains, primarily focuses on testing the technical aspect of cybersecurity.
Furthermore, passing CASP requires that you give in your time and effort, studying and understanding everything about its five main domains. That said, here’s a quick question; is earning CASP certification worth the hype?
CASP offers several benefits to cybersecurity architects and engineers. First, it’s inexpensive compared to CISSP and some other advanced certifications in the industry. Besides, the performance exam will offer you the much-needed mastery skills to design and execute technical solutions in your organization.
In the rest of this guide, I’ll further share with you some of the benefits of getting the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner. So, read on to find out more reasons why the certification is worthwhile.
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About CompTIA CASP
The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner is CompTIA’s highest level cyber security-based certification for security professionals. Although CASP is less expensive than CISSP and CISM, it remains one of the most relevant certifications in the inflation security space.
The CASP exam, which often lasts for 165 minutes, includes a mix of multiple-choice and performance-based questions. Furthermore, the certification focuses on testing and validating candidate’ knowledge of the five main domains, which include the following:
- Research, development, and collaboration
- Technical integration of enterprise security
- Enterprise security operations
- Enterprise security architecture
- Risk management
By enrolling in and passing the CASP exam, the certification will validate that you have the technical knowledge and skills required to perform several functions in the information security space. Here are some of the tasks below:
- CASP exam will certify that you have the much-needed skills to conceptualize, engineer, integrate and execute safe solutions across various environments to help mitigate security threats.
- The exam will also validate that you have all it takes to apply critical thinking and judgment across a wide range of security disciplines.
Who Should Apply for the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner?
Like the rest of the advanced-level certifications in the cybersecurity space, the CompTIA CASP+ isn’t for everybody in the industry. To be eligible to write the exam, there are some requirements that you need to meet.
For instance, the exam requires you to have at least ten years of administration experience in the information technology industry. That’s not all; out of the 10 years requirement, you need to have at least five years of hands-on technical security experience.
Of course, this is pretty much excessive compared to the likes of CISSP (minimum of 5 years of experience or 4 years with one year of experience waiver), and the CySA+ certification – only requires about 4 years of working experience.
Honestly, I would advise anyone interested in sitting for the CASP exam to first enroll in and pass a couple of prerequisite certifications, such as the CySA+ and PenTest+ exams.
Is the CompTIA CASP+ Worth It?
Back to the burning question about the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner – “is the certification worth the stress, time, studying, effort, money, and all?”
As previously stated, earning the CASP certification as a manager, architect, or engineer in the cybersecurity space is worthwhile. That’s so because the title comes with a host of amazing benefits; you can check below to see some of them.
- CompTIA CASP+ Is a Performance Exam
One of the advantages of the CompTIA CASP exam over the rest of the certifications in the cybersecurity space is that it’s a performance exam. In today’s world, most organizations are only looking for the ideal candidates that have hands-on cybersecurity skills to help them secure their online business.
By enrolling in and passing the CompTIA CASP exam, which is recognized and respected across the globe, you automatically have the necessary skills. With that, most employers of top companies will avoid assessing you any further since CompTIA has already certified that you have the much-needed performance skills.
- CASP+ Is Inexpensive
Another thing to know about the CompTIA CASP exam is that it’s inexpensive when you compare it to some other certifications in the information security space.
For instance, one of the most recognized certifications in the industry, CISSP, costs about USD 699. Looking at that and comparing it to the cost of enrolling for CompTIA CASP (about $466), you’ll see that it’s about $233 more expensive than the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner.
- Helps You Master Cybersecurity Concepts
Another great advantage of the CompTIA CASP exam is that it’ll enable you to master most of the concepts of cybersecurity. Ask me how? It’s simple; the exam primarily focuses on testing your understanding of the different domains of the CASP.
First, you’ll need to read for months to fully understand every concept of risk management, enterprise security operations, and enterprise security architecture. In addition to that, you’ll have to demonstrate your ability to perform and execute various tasks through simulations and performance-based questions.
That said, earning the CASP certification means you already understand and have mastered every cybersecurity skill and are ready to start working to limit security threats.
Tips on How to Earn CASP Certification
Having seen some of the benefits attached to passing the CASP exam, you’ll certainly agree with me now that the certification is worthwhile. If convinced and are ready to enroll in the exam, you might find the following tips handy to help you pass.
- First, try and get familiar with the pattern of the CASP exam. One way to do that is by checking past questions.
- Check online for CASP forums and connect with industry experts to gain more understanding of the exam.
- Invest a lot of time and effort to study and get familiar with all the domains of the exam.
- Practice, practice, practice, and go to the exam hall with confidence.