CompTIA Security+ Made Easy

 By Adam B Thomas

Photo: cbtplanet.com

Cyber Security has been written about a bunch recently. As computers gain complexity, so do the malicious attacks used to beat the security systems built to guard those systems.

Why Get Certified?

Government employees working in the Information Technology and Computer Security fields, are being expected to complete the Security+ exam in order to stay compliant with the DoD 8570 policy. Several non-government companies are also requesting their employees to receive certification as part of their yearly training plan. Industry standard certifications are a great way to make your resume shine. Professionals seeking employment opportunities as a Security Specialist, Network Administrator, or Network Technician may benefit from obtaining a Security+ certification. Getting Security+ certified can also be worth while for individuals who are already employed and hope to advance their earning potential. The knowledge gained from preparing for and taking the exam is a good justification for seeking the Security+ certification.

About the Exam

The exam contains 100 questions which need to be answered in 90 minutes or less. A score of 750 or higher on a scale of 100-900 must be obtained to pass. CompTIA recommends that you have former network and security experience, but it is not mandatory. The exam codes for the current test are SY0-201 and JK0-015. The current pricing for 2011 in the United States is $266 for non-members and $226 for member organizations.

Exam Objectives

The core objectives for the exam range from broad organizational topics to specifics about various cryptography algorithms. Here's the topic breakdown:

Systems Security - 21%

Network Infrastructure - 20%

Access Control - 17%

Assessments and Audits - 15%

Cryptography - 15%

Organizational Security - 12%

It's easy to feel overwhelmed at first by reading the exam objectives, but don't sweat it. Keep in mind that this exam does not demand a degree in Computer Science and with a good study plan you too can have a good outcome. I'll give you some tips on how to increase your chances for passing the exam on your first try later in this article. I passed the exam on my first attempt with a score of 855 out of 900 and you can too!

Where to Take the Exam?

Pearson VUE or Prometric exam facilities both offer the Security+ exam. If you're a government employee you should receive an exam voucher from your command to pay for the exam cost. You will need to visit the Pearson or Prometric website to schedule your exam date once you are ready to take the exam. Don't be overly anxious to schedule the exam! Be sure you are ready to take the test before scheduling.

Preparing for Success

I did self-paced study for the Security+ exam for 2 weeks and passed on my first attempt with a score of 855 out of 900. My primary job responsibility is not as a Network Administrator or a Security Specialist, so my applicable work experience was minimal. I have some book recommendations and a study strategy that will maximize your chance for success on the first attempt. I highly suggest that you obtain a copy of CompTIA Security+ Deluxe Study Guide: SY0-201 and CompTIA Security+ Review Guide: SY0-201. Begin by reading the study guide cover to cover, making sure to complete the end of chapter practice exams. Then read the review guide cover to cover, making sure to take all of the practice exams too. Both books come with a CD full of practices questions and mock exams. When you can consistently pass the end of chapter practice exams and the mock exams on the CDs with a score of 80% or higher, then you should be ready for the real exam. Take your time, grasp the knowledge, and most importantly have fun!

Exam Day

Here are some closing recommendations that may help make your exam experience go smoother. Review the chapter summaries of CompTIA Security+ Deluxe Study Guide: SY0-201 and CompTIA Security+ Review Guide: SY0-201. Show up early at the exam center so you don't feel as anxious or rushed. Leave your cell phone and other personal items at home or in another secure location since you will be asked to empty your pockets prior to starting the exam. The test administrator will give you a small whiteboard and a marker for note taking during the exam. Don't speak with anyone in the exam facility once you have been seated and begin the exam. While taking the exam make sure to mark any questions you are unsure of and return to them later so you can maintain an unbroken pace of answering questions.

About the Author

Adam Thomas is a security professional currently working as a Java Software Architect. You can read more articles on his Computer Security website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_B_Thomas

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6207699

Teva: More Brain Less Brawn

Italian men are too husky - they distract the women with their sexiness. Less shoulders, more serious - breed more intelligent Italians.

Thanks Alex. The original can be found in the Italian edition of the Panorama magazine. If you can't see the PSD, please click here.

Vito (on the right) is moving so fast--as can be seen by the blur of his lab coat--that a hunk of his arm was spontaneously transmongrified into the ether.

Speed kills. By YoMamma

Model of San Francisco Made Using 100000 Toothpicks

After 35 years and 100,000 toothpicks, Scott Weaver completed this amazing sculpture of San Francisco he calls “Rolling Through the Bay.” We think Mr. Weaver wins.

The piece took Mr. Weaver over 3,000 hours, and as This Is Colossal notes, "The elaborate sculpture is comprised of multiple 'tours' that move pingpong balls through neighborhoods, historical locations, and iconic symbols of San Francisco."

And these aren't just any toothpicks you get at your neighborhood Italian restaurant. Weaver sourced these out from around the world. He says, "I have used different brands of toothpicks depending on what I am building. I also have many friends and family members that collect toothpicks in their travels for me. For example, some of the trees in Golden Gate Park are made from toothpicks from Kenya, Morocco, Spain, West Germany and Italy. The heart inside the Palace of Fine Arts is made out of toothpicks people threw at our wedding."




















































Source: flickr

Jay Cutler: Head to Head

As a joke Jay Cutler, the footballer, wanted his head pasted on Jay Cutler, the bodybuilder. But in the confusion over names Jay Cutler's head went on Jay Cutler's body by mistake. Ha ha.

Thanks Thomas for taking the time out to scan and send this to us. If you can't see the PSD, please click here.

I'm confused. So you're saying the bodybuilder's face went on the bodybuilder's body? Or the footballers face went on the bodybuilder's body? Or what?

Yes, it is a bad composite, whoever's body and face they are. by Jshook

Game of Thrones: Night Soil Design

A cut-back in marketing spend has publicity shots with cut-outs that would shame a two-clawed badger. Such dishonor has the fans crying 'foul'.

Thanks Lauren. You can see the original here.

Editor to graphic newbie: Just pop this LSD trip and you'll be fine... By Evolution

What Is a Bug Defect?

 By Jimmy Drago

Photo: estevenjones.com

A software bug defect is the common term used to describe an error, flaw, mistake, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result. Most bugs arise from mistakes and errors made by software developers in either the program source code or its design, and a few are caused by compilers producing incorrect code. After a defect has been found, it must be reported to development so that it can be fixed.

Importance of an effective Bug Defect Tracking System

Bug tracking is often presumed to be an unnecessary cost to the organization. But the fact is that effective defect tracking can help in developing quality-rich software products at less cost. But the only criterion for effective defect tracking management is to adopt best practices. Selecting a bug defect tracking system that is easy to use by entering clear and relevant information. Entering details that help with reporting, using screenshots to avoid ambiguity, and avoiding entry of more than one report for a single defect are some of the measures by which a QA test management team can ensure quality and also cut down costs.

Bug reporting is essentially a complex and complicated process that requires precision, detailing and a whole lot of information. Reporting and tracking bugs manually works fine in case of small projects, whereas for mission-critical or large projects, a paper-based approach can result in chaos and confusion.

Bug defect tracking is of paramount importance in software engineering, as complex software systems typically have tens or hundreds or thousands of defects. Managing, evaluating and prioritizing these defects is a difficult task. QA test management teams need an effective bug defect tracking system to log the identified bugs and to monitor them. Defect tracking systems are computer database systems that store defects and help people to manage them. The details given in the defect tracking database are an important source for software metrics like project metrics, progress metrics, testing metrics, etc. These details definitely help the QA managers to effectively gauge the progress of the project and if necessary, put in more effort to improve quality.

The reporting of bug through the defect tracking system is done such that it accurately reports the problem in a way that allows the reader to understand its full impact. In software test management, it is very important that all the bug defects are appropriately recorded/logged, tracked and reported.

A bug-tracking system is an integral part of any software test management as it helps the project team to successfully measure the project's status. It not only helps in logging and reporting bugs, but also in managing and handling them efficiently until they have been fixed. The measurements, also known as metrics help the QA test management team to assess the quality of the software and in making business-critical decisions. Apart from assessing the quality of the software, these metrics such as project metrics, progress metrics and defect metrics also help in evaluating the success ratio of a tester or programmer.

An efficient defect tracking system not only tracks defects but also tracks metrics to make sure everything is going according to the software development plan. It increases productivity at low cost and helps in mission-critical decisions.

An effective bug defect tracking system helps the QA Tester add, search, modify and track bug defects thereby making software test management a quicker process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Drago

Skin - Removing minor skin blemishes

You can remove skin blemishes and soften skin  without giving a fake look to your image in Photoshop.

This is a free stock image I will use. It has some blemishes on the face.

You can see the blemishes.

The blemishes have been removed and the skin softened.

The tutorial is here

Other photoshop tutorials are here