CompTIA Case Studies Collection

Solutions in Practice

PARTNER CASE STUDY

12-Month Cybersecurity Expert Training (Online) for Job Seekers in Germany CHALLENGES In an increasingly digitized world, highly qualified cybersecurity experts are crucial to protect companies from the rising dangers of cyber threats. MindRefined GmbH recognizes the needs of job seekers in Germany and offers a specialized 12-month training program to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge in this vital area. SOLUTIONS MindRefined has developed a tailored 12-month training program for cybersecurity job seekers in Germany. This curriculum offers comprehensive knowledge, practical skills and certifications essential for successfully managing the diverse challenges in the field of cybersecurity. The training courses include: • CompTIA A+ Validates skills in end point management and technical support roles. • CompTIA Network+ Takes IT infrastructure skills to the next level, covering troubleshooting, configuring and managing networks. • CompTIA Security+ Validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions. • CompTIA Linux+ Covers all major distributions of Linux, setting the foundation for vendor/distro-specific knowledge. • CompTIA PenTest+ Validates the most up-to-date penetration testing and vulnerability assessment skills. • Cyber Security Advisor (IHK)

RESULTS The 12-month Cybersecurity Expert training at MindRefined has achieved impressive results: • Professional Qualification: Graduates are equipped with profound knowledge and practical cybersecurity skills to successfully work in the industry. • Practical Application: The practice-oriented training allows participants to apply learned knowledge in real professional situations. • Career Prospects: The training opens up new opportunities for job seekers in a promising industry with a number of globally recognized IT certifications. CONCLUSION The 12-month Cybersecurity Expert training from MindRefined offers job seekers in Germany the opportunity to pursue a career in a dynamic and highly relevant field. The practice-oriented training, supported by the expertise of MindRefined, enables graduates to successfully establish themselves in the job market and make a valuable contribution to security in the digital world. MindRefined continues to set standards in professional training and equips people for the challenges of the modern digital landscape. The training is AZAV certified and is therefore funded by the Federal Employment Agency.

MindRefined GmbH is a respected education company specializing in professional training in the field of digital topics. Since its foundation in 2021, the company has focused on developing innovative education programs that meet the requirements of the modern working world. MindRefined’s range includes a wide variety of courses, including cybersecurity, online marketing, UX/UI design, programming and data. MindRefined’s staff is not just experienced, but seasoned. Their roots in the education sector extend over a decade and a half, demonstrating their enduring commitment and expertise in the field. They are a strong partner for job seekers and companies.

© 2023 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved. All certification programs and education related to such programs are operated exclusively by CompTIA, Inc. CompTIA is a registered trademark of CompTIA, Inc. in the U.S. and internationally. Other brands and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or service marks of CompTIA, Inc. or of their respective owners. Reproduction or dissemination prohibited without the written consent of CompTIA, Inc. Printed in the U.S. 10808-Oct2023

PARTNER CASE STUDY

12-monatige Weiterbildung zum/r Cyber Security Expert*in (Online) für Arbeitsuchende in Deutschland HERAUSFORDERUNG In einer zunehmend digitalisierten Welt sind hochqualifizierte Cyber Security Expert*innen entscheidend, um Unternehmen vor den steigenden Gefahren der Cyber-Bedrohungen zu schützen. MindRefined GmbH erkennt die Bedürfnisse von arbeitsuchenden Menschen in Deutschland und bietet eine spezialisierte 12-monatige Weiterbildung an, um ihnen die notwendigen Fähigkeiten und Kenntnisse in diesem vitalen Bereich zu vermitteln. LÖSUNG MindRefined hat eine maßgeschneiderte 12-monatige Weiterbildung zum/r Cyber Security Expert*in für arbeitsuchende Menschen in Deutschland entwickelt. Dieser Lehrplan bietet umfassende Kenntnisse und praktische Fähigkeiten, die für die erfolgreiche Bewältigung der vielfältigen Herausforderungen im Bereich der Cyber-Sicherheit unerlässlich sind. Die Kurse in dieser Weiterbildung umfassen folgende Themen und Zertifizierungen: • CompTIA A+ Einführung in die IT-Grundlagen als solide Grundlage für weiterführende Schulungen. • CompTIA Network+ Netzwerktechnik und -sicherheit zur Identifizierung und Behebung von Schwachstellen. • CompTIA Security+ Grundlagen der IT-Sicherheit, Verschlüsselung, Sicherheitsrichtlinien und Schutz vor Bedrohungen. • CompTIA Linux+ Vertiefte Kenntnisse des Linux-Betriebssystems und der Systemadministration. • CompTIA PenTest+ Ethical Hacking und Penetration Testing, um Sicherheitslücken zu identifizieren und zu beheben. • Cyber Security Advisor (IHK)

ERGEBNISSE Die 12-monatige Weiterbildung zum/r Cyber Security Expert*in bei MindRefined hat beeindruckende Ergebnisse erzielt: • Fachliche Qualifikation: Absolvent*innen sind mit fundiertem Wissen und praktischen Fähigkeiten in der Cyber-Sicherheit ausgestattet, um erfolgreich in der Branche zu arbeiten. • Praktische Anwendung: Die praxisorientierte Ausbildung ermöglicht es den Teilnehmenden, das erlernte Wissen in realen beruflichen Situationen anzuwenden. • Berufliche Perspektiven: Die Weiterbildung, inklusive der international anerkannten IT Zertifizierungen, eröffnet arbeitsuchenden Menschen neue Möglichkeiten in einer zukunftsträchtigen Branche. FAZIT Die 12-monatige Weiterbildung zum/r Cyber Security Expert*in von MindRefined bietet arbeitsuchenden Menschen in Deutschland die Chance, sich in einem dynamischen und hochrelevanten Bereich zu qualifizieren. Die praxisorientierte Ausbildung, die von der Expertise von MindRefined unterstützt wird, ermöglicht es den Absolventinnen, sich erfolgreich auf dem Arbeitsmarkt zu etablieren und einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Sicherheit in der digitalen Welt zu leisten. MindRefined setzt weiterhin Standards in der beruflichen Weiterbildung und rüstet Menschen für die Herausforderungen der modernen digitalen Landschaft. Die Weiterbilduung ist nach AZAV zertifiziert und wird daher durch die Bundesagentur für Arbeit gefördert.

MindRefined GmbH ist ein angesehenes Bildungsunternehmen, das

auf die berufliche Weiterbildung im Bereich digitaler Themen spezialisiert ist. Seit der Gründung im Jahr 2021 konzentriert sich das Unternehmen darauf, innovative Bildungsprogramme zu entwickeln, die den Anforderungen der modernen Arbeitswelt gerecht werden. Das Angebot von MindRefined umfasst eine breite Palette von Kursen, darunter Cyber Security, Online Marketing, UX/UI-Design, Programmierung und Data. Die Mitarbeiter von MindRefined sind nicht nur erfahren, sondern auch routiniert. Ihre Wurzeln im Bildungssektor erstrecken sich über mehr als anderthalb Jahrzehnte, was ihr dauerhaftes Engagement und ihr Fachwissen in diesem Bereich unter Beweis stellt.Mindrefined ist ein starker Partner für Arbeitssuchende und Unternehmen.

How CyberNow Labs and CompTIA Are Helping Refugees Transform Their Futures with Cyber Security Careers

CORPORATE CASE STUDY

From “In Flux” to “In Demand”: How CyberNow Labs and CompTIA Are Helping Refugees Transform Their Futures with Cyber Security Careers

Many refugees arriving in Europe face a wide range of challenges; from difficulty learning local languages to struggles finding sustainable employment in a new place. However, there’s one field that holds great promise for helping them transcend both. A career in cyber security can transform a person from any background or education level into a sought-after worker with a skillset that nearly every company wants and needs, while giving them deep potential for upward social mobility. In the U.S., for example, an entry level cyber security worker can expect to earn $99,000 USD annually. An added bonus? Cyber security workers, regardless of their native tongue, learn to communicate in a language that transcends grammar and spoken words as they gain the competencies and skills needed to secure an organisation’s digital presence. For U.S.-based CyberNow Labs, helping people find opportunities in cyber security in both Europe and the U.S. fulfills the ultimate “double bottom line”. It can help individuals integrate into the workforce in their new home country or start a new career, and it can help companies fill critical skill and competency gaps on their IT teams. In the long run, when organisations like CyberNow Labs create opportunities in cyber security, they are also helping to create a stronger and safer IT sector at a time when risks and vulnerabilities are rampant. THE CHALLENGE Established in 2018, CyberNow Labs launched its first cohort of seven students with the idea of helping individuals who had no IT background get into cyber security. The Europe-America Contingent joint training programme was launched, with priority given to individuals who speak at least one foreign language at a high level. Participants in the programme come from a wide array of countries, professional backgrounds and education levels. “Only 5% of the trainees who have entered our programme have a direct IT background,” explain co-founders Hasan Eksi and Omer Arslan. “We have teachers, nurses, Uber drivers, former military personnel, veterans and NATO members. It’s not about their experience, it’s about whether they want to change their careers, or not, and make transitions in their lives. If someone is making $15 an hour but wants to make $40, they can do that. Anyone who has the aptitude and positive attitude can succeed,” Eksi and Arslan share. So how can a small team help people with no background in cyber security learn enough to become employable in a matter of five months? For CyberNow Labs, it comes down to individual motivation as much as to the right combination of training and unique learning solutions that leverage an enterprise-grade SOC environment and ‘SOC Days” graduate requirement. They get to work like a SOC Analyst to become one” Eksi explains. “The number one challenge we’ve seen with students is the time commitment,” says Arslan. “People are busy with their lives and it’s very intensive. We tell them that for five months you’ll live and breathe cyber security and that’s the only way it will work out. That excitement gets them through, but beyond that, it can be challenging. We have roughly 5% of people drop out, but the rest complete in twenty weeks.” Given the challenges around building and keeping motivation high among students, having the right learning solutions is a big factor in CyberNow Labs’ success.

CyberNow Labs is an immersive cyber security training provider that enables aspiring and mid-career professionals to prepare for high-demand careers. They work to address the widespread cyber security shortage by offering high-quality training and professional development that will ultimately get more people –and more qualified people– into critical cyber security roles. Yet, CyberNow recognises that, for newcomers to a country, finding gainful employment and a sense of purpose can be among the biggest challenges. The company has set an ambitious goal of helping thousands of refugees and immigrants make more successful transitions into the workforce by discovering and mastering the fundamentals of cyber security. Through their successful program, and using industry-recognised CompTIA learning solutions, CyberNow has helped countless refugees not just find jobs, but transform their lives and futures.

THE SOLUTION Because of their deep familiarity with cyber security, Eksi, Arslan and team started out using their own custom-built resources to form the basis of their multilingual training programmes. But they soon realised the value that CompTIA solutions could add to the programme, given the platform-agnostic attributes of CompTIA learning materials, the solid learning design that maximises student engagement, and the industry recognition of the CompTIA credentials. The team switched to using CompTIA Security+ and also opted to become a CompTIA delivery partner. They then obtained partner pricing for the refugee communities in Europe, who are able to use CompTIA vouchers to become certified at no individual cost. “The topics that CompTIA Security+ covers are well-known in the industry, and HR folks like to see it on a resume. It helps get you to the interview, no questions. And as for the hands-on component of the learning experience? There’s not much competition out there,” Eksi says. Regardless of whether they are in a U.S. or a European cohort, students work incrementally through the CyberNow programme, learning in a synchronous online format, unlocking the basics through CompTIA Security+, and later working on real-world cyber security tasks that test their knowledge at every step. “We give them the same tasks as if they were working at IBM or Cisco,” Arslan shares. The CyberNow Labs programme also takes a methodical approach to ensuring every topic can be comprehended to the fullest. “We spend time on every single topic in great detail, and we spread out the content of a course that might typically be crammed into a four-day day bootcamp into eight weeks, allowing students the proper time to digest and practice so they can hit the ground running on day one in their new jobs. We use the same tools, the same environment as a CSOC, and then we work with them on preparing for the job search process, including a structured mentorship program, that puts them to work. In that way, it’s very similar to an apprenticeship program.” Given its strong academic framework, the CyberNow programme was readily accredited by the job’s centers in Germany, meaning graduates in the German cohorts are able to use what they’ve learned to get assistance in finding gainful employment. THE RESULTS Some four years into its existence, Cyber Now Labs, now a National Cyber Group company has helped hundreds of people in Europe and the U.S. through the programme and has led to immeasurable improvements in the lives of their graduates. “We had a student join at the age of 55 after a career in NATO who is now working as a security engineer for Ebay. Another woman was a cashier at Walmart and is now working as a security engineer for a government contractor. There are hundreds of transformational stories just like these.” In total, CyberNow has seen a remarkable 85% placement rate among its graduates who have completed the programme and actively searched for a job over the course of six months. At any given time, they have as many as 350 students in their cohorts and are growing bigger by the month. “We set a target that in three years, we’d like to graduate 10,000 prepared cyber analysts who can hit the ground running on day one on the job,” say Eksi and Arslan. “That’s our mission.”

“CompTIA plus CyberNow together can build the perfect combination for a cyber analyst.” - Hasan Eksi and Omer Arslan

©2022 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved. All certification programs and education related to such programs are operated exclusively by CompTIA, Inc. CompTIA is a registered trademark of CompTIA, Inc. in the U.S. and internationally. Other brands and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or service marks of CompTIA, Inc. or of their respective owners. Reproduction or dissemination prohibited without the written consent of CompTIA, Inc. Printed in the U.S. 09741-July2022

Hear how FIT is Building & Elevating Pathways Into Cybersecurity Careers in Ireland

Building & Elevating Pathways Into Cybersecurity Careers in Ireland

THE CHALLENGE The culmination of rapid corporate expansion, and a growing burden of global cyber- security risks created a “perfect storm” situation for Ireland’s tech sector, in which the demand for local cybersecurity talent far outpaced the supply. Rather than allowing the storm to pass, Ireland’s premier technical skills education and training provider, FIT (Fastrack to Information Technology), chose to respond to the vast demand for local tech talent that was precipitated by Ireland’s dramatic cybersecurity boom.

FIT, established in 1999, has largely been a lone player in Ireland in terms of addressing the skills requirements for the country’s booming tech infrastructure and increasingly digital economy. Upskilling the local workforce to enter and compete within a largely globalised, digitised workforce is and will be a key challenge for FIT in the years ahead. Recognising the value of industry-recognised training in apprentice- ships FIT approached global tech association CompTIA in 2016 to assist with the development of a cybersecurity-specific apprenticeship; the first of its kind in Ireland.

THE SOLUTION FIT chose to partner with CompTIA in order to build a cybersecurity- specific apprenticeship that would become the first of its kind in Ireland. The apprenticeship; with its built-in, industry-recognised certifications and learning products, would allow many more people to become qualified and find gainful employment locally. FIT’s unique position in understanding the magnitude of the opportunity would help to transform the national tech sector and improve the caliber of local cybersecurity talent.

THE RESULTS To-date, many FIT supported apprentices have pursued the FIT cybersecurity apprenticeship and unlocked prized CompTIA ITF+, Network+, Security+, PenTest+ and CASP+ certifications through this “earn while you learn” model. This apprenticeship has become the first component of a larger plan by FIT to offer customisable programs based on the unique needs of the organisation and ensure more home-grown talent is available to fill in-demand tech roles throughout the country.

THE FULL STORY

“May the road rise up to meet you…”

FIT is turning what is perhaps a trite Irish adage into a lucrative reality, creating sustainable pathways to opportunity for more Irish people. In this case, the “road” is apprenticeships, and the opportunity at-hand is the vast array of cybersecurity roles emerging in Dublin and beyond. A look across the landscape Today, six of the top 10 cybersecurity software companies are located in Ireland, and the country is fast becoming a world haven for cybersecurity due to its advantageous business climate and high degree of geopolitical stability. The cybersecurity landscape in Ireland today spans an interconnected web of government, academia, industry, research, and agencies, with major companies like Stripe, Veritas, Deloitte, Qualcomm, Dell, Hewlett Packard, pwc, Sophos, TitanHQ, TransUnion, and many others, represented. From the creation of new, localised cybersecurity hubs, to the proliferation of diverse business functions within existing organisations, there seems no end in sight to the cybersecurity boom in Ireland. Accelerating the appetite for cybersecurity roles is a seemingly endless rise in the occurrence of cybersecurity breaches globally (+300% in the past year alone.) The net of these factors is a nearly insatiable need for cybersecurity talent in order to fill open roles, and support the pace of growth. Although the basis for the country’s relatively recent tech mega hub status is increasingly clear, there had been --until recently-- little work undertaken to create a verified skills-building and educational pathway for people who hope to access the careers within the tech infrastructure. Much of the pre-work required to apply for and land a role in cybersecurity has happened, by necessity, within the vacuum of academia. While higher education can certainly prepare people for cybersecurity careers in theory, anyone working in the field will acknowledge the high degree of hands-on training, problem-solving, and analytical ability needed to effectively perform a cybersecurity role within an organisation. In the current climate, non-degree on-ramps into cybersecurity careers are an absolute necessity for getting more people into key jobs more quickly, more equitably, and more sustainably. To-date, nearly 500 people are either currently learning or are registered for an apprenticeship with FIT, with hundreds of new starts booked for the near future. Looking ahead with an eye to managing even greater sector growth in Ireland and keeping up with even greater demand for qualified cybersecurity talent, FIT is in the process of developing a degree apprenticeship in Development and Security Operations. While FIT’s achievements and plans are impressive, they are particularly significant for the greater Irish tech landscape; adding hundreds of talented new and prospective--highly certified and highly employable -- tech workers into the workforce where they can occupy high-value roles. The value these new workers will bring to the organisations where they find employment is immeasurable and represents a new opportunity for Ireland to showcase its own home-grown talent. Perhaps most importantly, FIT’s apprenticeship program is demonstrative of what is possible for the future of cybersecurity globally when organisations and education providers buy into the value of continuous learning and upskilling. With cybercrime on the rise everywhere, organisations (and frankly, nations) need the best possible shot at strengthening their tech presence by adding hundreds of talented, highly certified, and highly employable tech workers into the workforce with the most skilled and driven workers available. Apprenticeships offer an equitable and sustainable pathway to do just that... in Ireland and beyond. “May the wind be ever at your back….”: Looking ahead to a stronger cybersecurity landscape

“Ireland has become a significant base and hub for Cybersecurity companies. A culture of collaboration is emerging here that’s aided by a well-educated and flexible workforce, and that’s powered by industry leaders and educational providers like CompTIA. The Cybersecurity apprenticeship is an excellent example of that collaboration. Opportunities like this apprenticeship -- that provide high quality learning materials and real-life learning opportunities -- ensure more candidates are able to meet the skills needs of today’s Cybersecurity companies.”

German IT Training Provider alfatraining Oers Subsidized IT Classes to Give Jobseekers and Transitioners the Chance to Pursue and Grow Their Career in Tech.

ALFATRAINING WEIST MIT COMPTIA- ZERTIFIZIERUNGEN DEN WEG IN DIE IT

HERAUSFORDERUNG IT-Fachkräfte sind auf dem Arbeitsmarkt stark nachgefragt, insbesondere fordern Unternehmen aufgrund von globalen Digitalisierungsprozessen für die Industrie 4.0 spezialisierte Fachkräfte im Bereich IT-Security, Cloud Computing und Netzwerktechnik. Arbeitssuchende, Wiedereinsteiger und alle, die sich beruflich neu orientieren oder weiterqualifizieren möchten, können ihre Chancen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt durch eine Weiterbildung bei alfatraining erhöhen.

ABOUT ALFATRAINING

alfatraining® ist eines der deutschlandweit führenden Bildungsunternehmen im Bereich der beruflichen

Weiterbildung. Das Unternehmen alfatraining wurde im Jahr 2005 gegründet und bietet mittlerweile über 300 modulare Kurse in allen arbeitsmarktrelevanten Fachbereichen an. Das Lehrangebot von alfatraining wird stetig an die Bedingungen von Industrie und Wirtschaft angepasst. Das Kursangebot reicht von Schulungen im technischen und IT-Bereich, über kaufmännische Lehrgänge und SAP- Qualifizierungen

LÖSUNG alfatraining bietet daher Weiterbildungen für IT- Innen und IT-Professionals in den folgenden Bereichen an: • Service- und Support-Techniker/-in mit CompTIA-Zertifizierung A+ • Netzwerk-Spezialist/-in mit CompTIA Zertifizierung Network+ • IT-Security-Administrator/-in mit CompTIA-Zertifizierung Security+ • IT-Cybersecurity-Analyst/-in mit CompTIA-Zertifizierung CySA+ • Cloud-Netzwerk-Administrator/-in mit CompTIA-Zertifizierung Cloud+ • Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker mit CompTIA-Zertifizierung PenTest+ Hierzu werden modernen Trainingsmethoden mit alfaview® umgesetzt.

bis hin zu Sprachkursen und Bewerbungsmanagement.

Das Qualitätsmanagement¬ system von alfatraining ist nach DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 zertifiziert

ERGEBNIS Alle Kurse im Bereich CompTIA schließen mit den international anerkannten und herstellerunabhängigen CompTIA-Zertifizierungen ab. CompTIA-Zertifizierungen bestätigen den Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern Kenntnisse in den jobrelevanten Themengebieten und geben Arbeitgebern Sicherheit bei der Einstellung von neuen Mitarbeitern. Das Lehrgangskonzept von alfatraining ist von der Agentur für Arbeit anerkannt und nach der Zulassungsverordnung AZAV zertifiziert. Die Seminare können in Voll- oder Teilzeit besucht werden und sind zu 100 % förderbar.

ALFATRAINING USES COMPTIA CERTIFICATIONS TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO IT

CHALLENGE IT specialists are in great demand on the labor market. Due to global digitization processes for industry 4.0, companies in particular are demanding specialized employees in the areas of IT security, cloud computing and network technology. Jobseekers, people re-entering the job market and all those who would like to reorient themselves professionally or further qualify can increase their chances on the job market by further training at alfatraining.

ABOUT ALFATRAINING

alfatraining® is one of Germany's leading training companies in the field of professional development. The company alfatraining was founded in 2005 and now offers over 300 modular courses in all labor market-relevant fields. The range of courses offered by alfatraining is constantly adapted to the conditions of industry and business. The courses offered range from technical and IT training, commercial courses and SAP qualifications up to language courses and application management.

SOLUTIONS alfatraining therefore offers advanced training for IT beginners and IT professionals in the following areas:

• Service and support technician with CompTIA certification A+ • Network Specialist with CompTIA certification Network+ • IT Security Administrator with CompTIA certfication Security+ • IT Cybersecurity Analyst with CompTIA certification CySA+ • Cloud network administrator with CompTIA certification Cloud+ • Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker with CompTIA certification PenTest+ For this purpose, modern training methods are implemented with alfaview®.

RESULTS All CompTIA courses conclude with the internationally recognized and manufacturer-independent CompTIA certifications. CompTIA certifications confirm participants' knowledge in job-related topics and give employers security when hiring new employees. alfatraining's training concept is recognized by the German Federal Employment Agency and certified according to the AZAV. The seminars can be attended full-time or part-time and are 100% subsidized.

© 2020 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved. All certification programs and education related to such programs are operated exclusively by CompTIA, Inc. CompTIA is a registered trademark of CompTIA, Inc. in the U.S. and internationally. Other brands and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or service marks of CompTIA, Inc. or of their respective owners. Reproduction or dissemination prohibited without the written consent of CompTIA, Inc. Printed in the U.S. 08143-Nov2020

Using CompTIA A+ Virtual Training to Upskill Employees on the Career Choice Programme

Using CompTIA Certifications to Set a Baseline of Skills for Developing Information Security Talent

CORPORATE CASE STUDY

ASICS Cyber-Incident Response Team Establishes Baseline Skills with CompTIA Certification

CHALLENGES • Increased Cybersecurity Needs: Following a series of cybersecurity incidents, ASICS decided to create an enterprise-level information security committee and information security management office. • Expanded Service Demands: Despite having incident response processes in place, ASICS needed to respond to cybersecurity threats in a more timely and effective fashion.

ASICS is a global athletic corporation based in Japan with operations in more than 50 countries and regions. The company has been a leader in the athletic industry since its inception as a youth-oriented organization six decades ago. “As we look toward the future, we have adopted CompTIA certification as a requirement for developing security talent.” – Shigekazu Tanimoto Security Lead, Security Team, Global IT Division, ASICS

SOLUTIONS • Worldwide Network: ASICS created a network of contacts to facilitate communication about potential cybersecurity threats and incidents between its many regions. • CompTIA Certified Staff: ASICS now requires CompTIA Security+ to set a baseline of skills for developing information security talent.

RESULTS • Improved Process: ASICS created and implemented a new, more effective process for managing security threats and incidents that incorporated CompTIA certification. • Dedicated Team: ASICS established an incident response team as it ramped up for the 2020 Olympic Paralympic games (for which ASICS is a gold partner).

LESSONS LEARNED

• As a multi-region, global company, ASICS needs to be able to quickly and effectively respond to cybersecurity threats. • CompTIA certification provides the cybersecurity response team with solid baseline security training. • CompTIA Security+ validates the IT security skills needed to effectively manage and secure networks.

THE FULL STORY

ASICS Preps for 2020 and Beyond with CompTIA Security+

A well-known name in the world of athletics, global multinational company ASICS was challenged to keep its networks secure. ASICS has built up a presence in more than 50 regions, but its cybersecurity operations hadn’t scaled accordingly. And, so, as the global cybersecurity threat land- scape began to grow, the company realized something needed to change. This became clear when, in 2015, ASICS fell victim to a few incidents that neither the company’s information security committee nor their information security management office were able to quickly and effectively address. The processes in place were not effective, and the staff tasked with handling such incidents didn’t have the comprehensive baseline security knowledge to adequately handle threats coming down the pike. The key to helping IT staff build these skills — and building a cybersecurity profile befitting of a global leader — was to in-

troduce CompTIA Security+ as a necessary requirement for the computer security incident response team (CSIRT). “As we look toward the future, we have adopted CompTIA certification as a re- quirement for developing security talent,” said Shigekazu Tanimoto, ASICS security lead, security team, global IT division. “We believe the global standard certification is effective for a CSIRT capable of flexibility for responding to incidents.” Since the implementation of Security+, ASICS has demonstrated quicker and more effective responses to cybersecurity threats. And the value of the certifications is reflected in the experience of those doing the hands-on cybersecurity work as well. “Since I started working on enhancing our company’s information security in 2016, I started to feel the importance of understanding servers, networking and operations more comprehensively,” said Osamu Murakami, ASICS security team,

global IT division. “The CompTIA exam was a perfect opportunity to restructure my information security knowledge.” “Attaining the CompTIA Security+ certification gave me confidence to speak in the same channel with security consultants and experts globally and learned best practices from each other.” – Alvin Lee Security Team, Global IT Division, ASICS Now ASICS has a big event on the horizon that will put the team’s cybersecurity skills to the test. As a gold partner for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Paralympic Games, the company will be garnering public attention — and a higher public profile often comes with unwanted attention from hackers. But with a CompTIA Security+-certified IT team, ASICS will be up to the task.

“The CompTIA exam was a perfect opportunity to restructure my information security knowledge.” – Osamu Murakami , Security Team, Global IT Division, ASICS

CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. For more information, please visit CompTIA.org.

© 2017 CompTIA Properties, LLC, used under license by CompTIA Certifications, LLC. All rights reserved. All certification programs and education related to such programs are operated exclusively by CompTIA Certifications, LLC. CompTIA is a registered trademark of CompTIA Properties, LLC in the U.S. and internationally. Other brands and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks or service marks of CompTIA Properties, LLC or of their respective owners. Reproduction or dissemination prohibited without written consent of CompTIA Properties, LLC. Printed in the U.S. 03897-Jul2017

Using Network+ to Support Trainee Development

Network Know-How for Trainees at the Bechtle Group

The demand for networking skills are increasing all the time. This is why the Bechtle Group integrates the vendor agnostic CompTIA certification Network+ into its training. The certification is used to enhance the specialist knowledge gained by young employees during their vocational training.

Bechtle AG is the largest IT system house in Germany serving 70,000+ customers from 75 locations in the DACH region and trading companies across 14 European countries. The business model combines IT services with the direct sale of IT products.

CHALLENGES Bechtle was on the lookout for a manufacturer-independent IT certification to provide trainees with a standard level of knowledge in the area of networking solutions.

SOLUTIONS Bechtle integrates CompTIA Network+ systematically into its training portfolio. The courses are aimed at all technical trainees.

“With Network+, our technical trainees deepen the knowledge they have gained from vocational training and reallife experience and are an

excellent choice for upcoming projects.”

—Michael Konrad, Head of the Bechtle Akademie

THE FULL STORY

75 IT SYSTEM HOUSES IN THE DACH REGION (GERMANY, AUSTRIA, AND SWITZERLAND) AND TRADING COMPANIES IN 14 COUNTRIES The IT services and trading company Bechtle places a high premium on the qualification of its employees and the systematic development of their specialist knowledge. In a highly dynamic industry, the manufacturer- independent, integrated services provided by Bechtle in the area of IT infrastructure demand the highest degree of expert knowledge from their specialists. As the largest system house in Germany and a major European IT and e-com- merce company, Bechtle already offers a wide range of further training opportunities in the Bechtle Akademie and prepares its employees systematically to meet new challenges. CompTIA CERTIFICATION IS THE PERFECT FIT To complement its existing range of training offers, Bechtle was searching for the right certification that would qualify its technical trainees in accordance with industry standards in the area of networking solutions in particular. This step was taken due to the fact that companies increasingly demand integrated concepts for conference solutions, IP communications, video, messaging, mobile applications, and telepresence. The IT service provider, which serves 70,000+ customers from a wide range of industrial and service sectors as well as the public sector, recognized this at an early stage and designed its portfolio accordingly. In its search for a suitable, universally recognized, and manufacturer- independent certification; the Bechtle Group soon found exactly what it was looking for by drawing on its existing contact with CompTIA: The CompTIA certification Network+ fulfils all of Bechtle’s requirements perfectly. STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF NETWORK COMPETENCY “As part of the IT solutions at Bechtle, networking solutions rank among our strategic goals. With the CompTIA Network+ certification, we have succeeded in adding another module to our training portfolio in the area of networking solutions that is practice-oriented and tailored exactly to our requirements,” explains Melanie Schüle, head of business develop- ment in the area of networking solutions. CompTIA Network+ offers trainees a broad foundation of knowledge in the area of network support that is completely manufacturer-independent and tailored precisely to Bechtle’s requirements. The certification confirms that course graduates are competent to install and configure network components. They are also capable of performing in-depth, professional troubleshooting. The specific course content, as well as the learning materials and methods to be used, were developed together with CompTIA. This guarantees that course graduates acquire the precise IT competencies that Bechtle requires. “It exceeded all of our expectations,” confirmed personnel specialist Irina Fuchs. “Forty-four trainees from 15 different Bechtle locations began the specialist training in October 2013 when we added this certification to the trainee program. The trainees passed the exam in February 2014. That represents more than half of the technical trainees for a year" INDEPENDENT, FLEXIBLE LEARNING For the first time, Europe’s leading IT service provider decided to concentrate on self-study methods in specialist training instead of the more usual classroom-based teaching. This location-independent qualification offers a high degree of flexibility. Trainees can decide how much to study and when, based on their daily work schedule. At the start of the course, a trainer provides general information about the qualification and information about the methodology used. A wide variety of teaching materials are then made available for subsequent self-study: a textbook, training videos provided on a special platform, and a forum where trainees can exchange information. In addition, webinars are held monthly at which open questions can be clarified interactively with the trainer. The course ends with a classroom session in preparation for the examination. Network+ FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE With the manufacturer-independent CompTIA Network+ certification, Bechtle is optimally equipped to meet the continuously growing demand for network expertise. As technical trainees are introduced to this topic at an early stage, they are able to achieve a high standard of knowledge. And the investment has paid off: Bechtle benefits from highly qualified trainees while remaining an attractive employer for technically minded young people who aspire to a career in the IT industry. Due to course participants acquiring knowledge that goes beyond the stan- dard knowledge acquired in vocational education, they are an excellent choice for upcoming projects within their department.

For more information about Bechtle, see www.bechtle.com.

“As part of the IT solutions at Bechtle, networking solutions rank among our strategic goals. With the CompTIA Network+ certification, we have succeeded in adding another module to our training portfolio in the area of networking solutions that is practice-oriented and tailored exactly to our requirements.” – Melanie Schüle , Head of Business Development in the area of Networking Solutions

Clem Craven, Senior Cyber Security Training Team Manager from BT Security shares how he is using the CompTIA career pathway as a baseline to develop the skills of BT's Cyber Security teams around the world.

A funded programme selected by the UK Government to Support Individuals Reskill into Cyber Roles

CASE STUDY

Cyber Security Void Poses Growing Threat to UK Businesses: Cyber Ready Can Help

CHALLENGES Nearly half (46%) of UK businesses, according to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2020, experienced cyber security breaches in the last 12 months. And according to the latest government report (Cyber security skills in the labour market, 2020), 653,000 businesses (48%) have a basic skills gap. With the workplace impacts of COVID-19 compounding an already complex cyber landscape, organisations cannot afford complacency when it comes to IT preparation and training. In light of the stark IT skills gap and the urgent need for digitally savvy, remote workforces, employers are actively seeking quality cyber security talent to bring new levels of preparedness to their workforce. With cyber-related salaries ranging from £20,000 to £80,000 or more, depending on experience, jobs in this field will become even more lucrative in the coming months and years. “The biggest challenge in cyber security nowadays is that it’s really difficult to find good staff who are current and who are passionate about the subject,” said Gary Fildes, Cyber Ready Expert Mentor. “There is a skill shortage, and CompTIA [certifications] address that gap.” Increasingly, IT applicants around the country are looking to work for companies that are prepared to make an ongoing investment in the talent and skills-development of their people through such programmes and training initiatives as Cyber Ready. SOLUTION: CYBER READY In 2018, CompTIA launched the Cyber Ready programme nationally with hubs in Leeds, Glasgow and in London. Using a managed, flipped-classroom learning experience, and with a required minimum of eight, weekly hours of independent study, Cyber Ready candidates learn via industry-standard content including video and adaptive questioning to build their knowledge and skills-base. Dedicated Cyber Security Trainers assign required learning and ensure candidates are on-track. A required, once-monthly in-person meeting enables students to put their theoretical knowledge to the test as they complete various assigned, hands-on challenges. In the final workshop, participants are put through a healthy dose of competition as they participate in Wargames to test their skill against other teams. Candidates are helped, beginning at programme enrolment, to find employment in a cyber security job role and are able to obtain two key certifications. “We’re confident in this programme as an effective way for anyone hoping to enter the field, or to retrain from an IT role, into a role as a Cyber Security Analyst. This programme ensures that they have the knowledge, skills and certifications they’ll need.”

Cyber Ready is a six-month- long training and education programme designed to improve the workplace readiness of anyone hoping to reskill or pursue a career in cyber security, around the UK.

“The exams are challenging, they are relevant, and they provide the knowledge and understanding to move forward into further certification.”

– Gary Fildes Cyber Ready

Expert Mentor

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANT RESULTS Sean, a participant in the initial Cyber Ready pilot programme, worked tedious 12-hour shifts in a call centre, but had ambitions to land a more established role as part of his cyber security career. He applied for Cyber Ready and made a commitment to complete the 6-month programme. Because of his completion of Cyber Ready, Sean successfully passed both the Security+ and CySA+ certifications. Thanks to his enhanced qualifications, he now works as an Information Security Analyst. In the 12 months since completing the programme, he has earned a £23,000 salary boost.

PROGRAMME-WIDE RESULTS • Since launching, the Cyber Ready programme has been selected to receive funding in the West Midlands and the Northwest of England. • 75% of people who have completed the Cyber Ready programme found employment in cyber security job roles. • The UK Government’s Cyber security skills in the labour market 2020 report mentions Cyber Ready as an initiative cited for its impact on improving diversity in the cyber workforce.

IN SUMMARY: WHY CYBER READY?

• Those who successfully complete Cyber Ready will gain both the CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certifications, in addition to job-search assistance, thus qualifying them for a wide range of roles and competencies. • Participants can use the knowledge gained in Cyber Ready to upskill from the level of IT Technician to Cybersecurity Analyst. • Cyber Ready educational content is accessible on mobile devices, enabling a flexible learning environment for those with busy lives. • Participants gain access to representatives from cyber security organisations by way of regular talks and interactions. • As a part of the ongoing support package, candidates are given 12 months’ access to industry standard learning content before they sit for the Security+ and CySA+ exams. • A class size limit of 15 people ensures a highly motivated and diverse group of participants to learn with and from. • Applications are particularly encouraged from women, disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, given these groups’ underrepresented status in Technology.

“Cyber Ready holds great promise as a model to help solve the IT skills gap we’re experiencing in the UK.” – Zeshan Sattar , Director of Learning & Skills Certification, CompTIA

Learn more about the Cyber Ready Programme

IT-Haus bereitet die Service-Mitarbeiter mit CompTIA Network+ und Server+ auf die Aufgaben im Server- und Netzwerk-Support vor.

CORPORATE CASE STUDY

Internes Aus- und Weiterbildungskonzept: IT-HAUS ist dreifaches CompTIA Authorized Service Center

IT-HAUS ist mit mehr als 20 Jahren Erfahrung und über 300 Mitarbeitern eines der führenden deutschen IT-Systemhäuser. CompTIA-Zertifizierungen gehören bei dem Föhrener Unternehmen zum festen Bestandteil der technischen Ausbildung.

IT-HAUS ist eines der Top System- und Handelshäuser in Deutschland. Als Anbieter nationaler und internationaler IT-Lösungen und Services bietet die IT-HAUS GmbH umfangreiche Full-Service-Konzepte aus einer Hand. Ein starkes und flächendeckendes Netzwerk weltweit, 25 bundesweite Standorte, 1 internationaler Standort in Luxembourg sowie über 300 Mitarbeiter machen das Unternehmen zu einem der führenden Anbieter im B2B-Bereich.

HERAUSFORDERUNG • IT-HAUS suchte nach einem verlässlichen Gerüst für die interne Ausbildung • Die Mitarbeiter sollen ein homogenes Wissensniveau besitzen

LÖSUNG • IT-HAUS bindet CompTIA-Zertifizierungen frühzeitig in die Aus- und Weiterbildung ein • Verpflichtende Teilnahme für Schulungen

ERGEBNIS • Das Ausbildungskonzept stärkt die Arbeitgebermarke • Auszubildende werden rasch in die betriebliche Praxis eingebunden

„Die umfassende CompTIA-Zertifizierung unserer Mitarbeiter genießt bei internationalen Herstellern und unseren strategischen Partnern große Wertschätzung. Sie ermöglicht uns, Kunden eine breite Palette an Services zu bieten.“ – Dr. Thomas Simon, Geschäftsführer, IT-HAUS

GANZE GESCHICHTE

Mit Vollgas in den Beruf Über 5.000 Kunden aus ganz Deutschland setzen auf die Professionalität und Zuverlässigkeit von IT-HAUS. Von der Beratung über die Implementierung bis hin zur Wartung von digitaler Hardware und Software bietet das Unternehmen die gesamte Palette von Systemdienstleistungen. Mit Erfolg: Bereits vier mal wurde IT-HAUS in den letzten Jahren als "Bestes Systemhaus" von den Fachmagazinen Channelpartner und COMPUTERWOCHE ausgezeichnet. Der Award wird seit 13 Jahren verliehen. IT-HAUS steht – wie kein anderes Systemhaus in dieser Umsatzklasse – bereits zum 11. Mal auf Siegerpodest und blickt im Rahmen der unabhängigen Systemhausstudie auf eine ausgezeichnete und konstante Leistung zurück. Ein Baustein des Erfolgs: IT-HAUS ist das erste Unternehmen weltweit, das die Bezeichnung CompTIA ASC (Authorized Service Center) in jedem der drei Bereiche PC-Support, Drucker-Support sowie Netzwerk- und Server-Support tragen darf. Die CompTIA-ASC-Akkreditierung bestätigt das große Know-how der IT-HAUS-Mitarbeiter und ist der Spiegel der hohen Ansprüche, die IT-HAUS an die eigene Qualität stellt. Dies beginnt schon bei der Ausbildung. Neben dem staatlichen Ausbildungsprogramm durchlaufen Berufseinsteiger bei IT-HAUS standardmäßig Schulungen und Prüfungen fur die CompTIA-Zertifizierung A+, Network+, Server+. Damit sichert IT-HAUS bei Nachwuchskräften ein einheitliches und hohes Wissensniveau. Zudem ermöglicht der Erwerb der CompTIA-Zertifizierung den jungen Talenten, bereits während der Ausbildung verantwortungsvolle und spannende Projekte innerhalb des Unternehmens zu übernehmen. Breites Basiswissen mit Praxisbezug Die von IT-HAUS genutzten CompTIA-Zertifizierung decken die wichtigsten Geschäftsfelder des Systemhauses ab. CompTIA A+ vermittelt Grundwissen im Bereich PC-Support. CompTIA Network+ und CompTIA Server+ bereiten auf Tätigkeiten im Server- und Netzwerk-Support vor. Die Zertifizierungen, ihre Anforderungen und Wissensvermittlung eignen sich hervorragend für die innerbetriebliche Aus- und Weiterbildung. Der Wissenserwerb für die CompTIA-Zertifizierung ist betont praxisorientiert und hebt zielgerichtet auf die Lösung von häufig auftretenden Fällen des Arbeitsalltags von IT-Spezialisten ab. Inhaltlich orientieren sich die Zertifizierungen nicht an herstellerspezifischen Anforderungen bei Hard- und Software, sondern vermitteln produktunabhängig die wichtigsten Kompetenzen für die jeweiligen Jobrollen. Im Mittelpunkt der Trainings stehen universal einsetzbare, produktübergreifende Kenntnisse, die Absolventen unmittelbar in ihre betriebliche Praxis übertragen können. Die große Breite des vermittelten Know-hows bereitet zudem optimal darauf vor, sich zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt vertieftes Spezialwissen zu einem oder verschiedenen Herstellerprodukten anzueignen. Sämtliche Zertifizierungen, ihre thematische Ausrichtung sowie ihre Inhalte entwickelt CompTIA gemeinsam mit führenden großen und mittelständischen Herstellern von Hard- und Softwareprodukten. Sie bilden stets den aktuellen Bedarf der Wirtschaft ab und sichern den Zertifizierungen eine schnelle Integration in die IT-Service-Organisation von Unternehmen. Der Erfolg unterstreicht die hohe Wertschätzung, die CompTIA-Zertifizierungen rund um den Globus genießen: Keine herstellerneutralen IT-Zertifizierungen sind weltweit verbreiteter als die von CompTIA. Attraktiver Arbeitgeber für junge Talente Um das interne Aus- und Weiterbildungskonzept reibungslos umsetzen zu können, verfügt IT-HAUS über Mitarbeiter, die als CompTIA Trainer ausgebildet sind. Sie bereiten die Auszubildenden und Mitarbeiter in Blockseminaren auf die Prüfungen vor, die ebenfalls von IT-HAUS als CompTIA-Testcenter abgenommen werden. Der große Vorteil: IT-HAUS kann selbst festlegen, wann die Seminare stattfinden, und kann den Zeitplan so optimal auf die internen Bedürfnisse abstimmen. Für IT-HAUS gehen die Bemühungen auf: Auch im laufenden Ausbildungsjahr konnte das Unternehmen 14 Ausbildungsplätze im eigenen Haus mit vielversprechenden Talenten besetzen.

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