CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Now Available Worldwide

Newest professional credential from leading IT industry association addresses need for cloud-savvy technicians

A new professional-level skills certification for information technology (IT) workers immersed in the fast-growing environment of cloud computing was launched recently by CompTIA, the non-profit association for the global IT industry.

CompTIA Cloud+ certification validates the knowledge and best practices required of IT practitioners who must understand and deliver cloud infrastructure solutions.

“Cloud computing is an integral part of the IT landscape for a growing number of organizations,” said Terry Erdle, executive vice president, skills certification, CompTIA. “As cloud-based applications proliferate and network architectures become more diverse, networking and technical sales professionals must become proficient in new skills.”

In fact, 90 percent of companies report they’re using some form of cloud computing, according to CompTIA’s Fourth Annual Trends in Cloud Computing study. At the same time, separate industry reports indicate that the number of cloud-related job postings grew by 30 percent in 2012 (Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights); and that 1.7 million cloud jobs went unfilled last year (IDC and Microsoft).

“CompTIA Cloud+ was developed by the industry to address this shortage, providing IT professionals with a credential that validates their ability to efficiently and securely implement and maintain cloud technologies,” Erdle said.

CompTIA Cloud+ is the next career step for experienced network, storage, system and data center administrators and others working in environments that increasingly utilize cloud computing and virtualization.

The exam certifies that a successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to understand standard cloud terminologies and methodologies; implement and maintain cloud technologies and infrastructures (e.g., server, network storage and virtualization technologies); and understand aspects of IT security and the use of industry best practices related to cloud implementation and the application of virtualization.

Topics covered in the exam include:

• Cloud concepts and models (12 percent of exam)
• Virtualization (19 percent)
• Infrastructure (21 percent)
• Resource management (13 percent)
• Security (16 percent)
• Systems management (11 percent)
• Business continuity in the cloud (8 percent)

It is recommended (though not required) that CompTIA Cloud+ candidates have at least 24-36 months of work experience in IT networking, storage or data center administration. Additionally candidates should be CompTIA Network+ and / or CompTIA Storage+ Powered by SNIA certified; and should be familiar with major hypervision technologies for server virtualization, although vendor-specific virtualization certifications are not required.

The CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Study Guide is available from McGraw-Hill Education. The study guide includes a student guide, downloadable e-book, two practice exams, detailed answers and explanations and more. The courseware is available in the CompTIA Marketplace.

CompTIA also offers CompTIA Cloud Essentials, a specialty certification for non-technical personnel, including management, customer service and operations employees seeking to validate their understanding of what cloud computing means from a business and high-level technical perspective.

With more than 1.8 million certifications awarded, CompTIA is the leading provider of vendor-neutral skills certifications for the world’s IT workforce. Visit CompTIA Certifications to learn more.

In addition to certifications, CompTIA offers other cloud-specific initiatives, including training for IT channel companies involved in or interested in offering cloud solutions to their customers; and the CompTIA Cloud / SaaS Community, a group of industry thought leaders who are helping to shape the cloud market.

About CompTIA
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, visit www.comptia.org.