CompTIA® Security+ Certification Preparation

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
363 Students

Prepare for the CompTIA® Security+ exam as you review the information you need to pass the test and earn this important certification.

The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that computer security and related computer-support specialties will be among the fastest-growing occupations through 2018. CompTIA's Security+ certificate is widely regarded as the entry-level certificate for this fast-growing field. Getting that certificate requires passing CompTIA's challenging SY0-301 exam.

This course, the second of two courses, reviews the key terminology and concepts needed to ace the exam, all in a condensed format for rapid reading. The course provides helpful study tools, including crossword puzzles, games, and practice questions to aid your learning. All of the content is geared toward helping you prepare to pass the SY0-301 exam, so you can leave the test center with your Security+ passing score in hand.

Please note that youwill be subject to a CompTIA Security+ renewal process every three years.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

We'll start off with a brief review of the Security+ exam and its objectives. Then we'll jump right into talking about access control. Authentication—verifying that a user requesting entry to a system or network is who they claim to be—is the first step in access control, which protects valuable and sensitive resources from unauthorized users and evildoers. In this lesson, we'll explore authentication, as well as its methods, protocols, and devices.

Last time, we talked about the authentication step in access control. In this lesson, we're going to continue our exploration of access control with a closer look at authorization and types of access control. Both of these are extremely important parts of the security policies protecting network resources. We'll take a detailed look at the elements that make up these two processes.

In this lesson, we'll cover the policy and administration of accounts in a secure environment. First, we'll go over the different types of accounts you might work with, including individual accounts and group accounts. Then we'll talk about password policies, which govern how to make passwords as strong as possible, when passwords should expire, and how to deal with lost or forgotten passwords. Lastly, we'll discuss permissions, privileges, and the administrative actions required to minimize vulnerability.

As network administrators, we're constantly managing risk. But what does that really mean? In this lesson, we'll investigate the elements of the risk management process, including vulnerabilities, threats, risks, and likelihood and the methods used to identify, determine, or calculate each. The ultimate goal of risk management is to reduce risk to a level that's acceptable to the system and organization. In this lesson, you'll discover the methods we use to figure out what level of risk is acceptable.

Do you know the differences between penetration testing and vulnerability scanning? When is it best to use each? In this lesson, you'll find out the answers to those questions. We'll take a look at the six phases of the penetration testing process, and you'll find out how vulnerability management works. Then we'll look at methods of software vulnerability testing, including black box, white box, and gray box testing. We'll wrap up the lesson with a discussion of disaster recovery plans and data backup methods.

How do we protect the crucial data that allows our organizations to function day in and day out? That's the question we'll address in this lesson. We'll start with a look at data loss prevention systems, which manage, identify, and protect data in its various states. You'll get acquainted with data encryption applications and hardware-based encryption devices. And we'll cover some considerations for off-site and remote data storage—what should you keep in mind about data when deciding where to store it and back it up? Maintaining your data's integrity and security is incredibly important, so you won't want to miss this lesson.

In Lesson 7, we'll focus on the security of application software. There are a few ways to make applications more secure, including application hardening and careful patch management. We'll see how these work, and we'll take a look at some common application attacks. You'll also see how to make sure the in-house software development process is as secure as you can make it. We'll even look at the ways in which a host computer is secured both internally and externally.

As businesses go global and standard business hours no longer apply, mobile devices are becoming more common in organizational networks. In this lesson, we'll look at the threats mobile devices introduce and the security methods for removing these threats. We'll investigate some internal measures for dealing with mobile devices, including what you can to protect data if a device is lost or stolen. We'll also explore what you should include in external security policies for mobile devices, and you'll see how technologies like mobile biometrics, voice encryption, and GPS tracking can help on the mobile security front. Mobile devices are only getting more essential to both our business and personal lives, so securing them is an increasingly important priority.

If you're working in IT these days, chances are you're working with virtualization in some form. But what exactly is virtualization? In this lesson, we'll build on what you learned about it in the first course. You'll find out how server virtualization works, and we'll explore virtualization software and hardware. You'll also learn how virtualization can benefit an organization, and we'll discuss the particular security concerns that come along with it. We'll finish up with a look at the various types of cloud computing available today.

If you work in network security, being cryptic is just part of the job! Cryptography, or encryption, is what we use to prevent unauthorized people from being able to understand or use intercepted data. In Lesson 10, we'll explore the concepts behind encryption and the primary types of encryption in use. We'll talk about the most common encryption algorithms and ciphers, and you'll learn about the secure transport of encrypted data.

With the Internet so integrated into our everyday lives, we depend on a security and validation system that most of us take for granted: the public key infrastructure (PKI). The PKI protects us, often unknowingly, against people and companies we don't know and may not trust if we did. In this lesson, you'll learn about the PKI and the security elements that work to protect you. We'll also talk about how and why they work.

The CompTIA Security+ exam covers a wide-range of security concepts, topics, terminology, and practices, as well as a bit of hardware and software. In this lesson, which is the last of the two prep courses for the Security+ exam, we'll review the key terms and concepts you'll see on the exam. We'll revisit what you really must know, and I'll give you some final tips for taking a CompTIA exam.

Ron Gilster

Ron Gilster is a best-selling author with more than 40 titles in print. He writes on topics including information technology (IT) certifications, real estate, and business. Ron has held a variety of IT-related positions, ranging from computer oper... Read more

Read Ron Gilster's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the CompTIA® Security+ Certification Preparation you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Still looking?

Check out the following courses related to CompTIA® Security+ Certification Preparation:

PC Security Fundamentals

PC Security Advanced

Linux Fundamentals

Networking Fundamentals

Wireless Networking

Discover more online courses

CompTIA® Security+ Certification Preparation

$599

$389AUD

Save 35%

Microsoft Outlook 2013 Fundamentals

Quick Facts

Delivery Method Online
Professional Certificate
24hrs Suggested Study Time
3 Months Access
Tutor Support
Study On Any Device
351 Students

Get up to speed with the latest developments in Outlook, including how to manage your email, calendar, and contacts and how to get the most out of program tools such as Search Folders and Quick Steps.

Want to learn Microsoft Outlook 2013 quickly? Want to become a confident and productive user of this powerful program without having to memorise a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo? In this course, you'll see what's new in Outlook 2013 and get up and running with the most important aspects of the program, starting with mastering the new Windows 8 style look and feel. From there, you'll quickly learn how to manage your email, calendar, and contacts, and how to streamline and automate your work with keyboard shortcuts, rules, Search Folders, and Quick Steps.

The goal of this course is to teach you what you really need to know to be productive with Outlook 2013. That means you won't waste your time on low-value aspects of Outlook. Instead, you'll focus on the important things like sending, receiving, and managing your mail, and using tools such as the calendar, tasks, and to-dos so you can manage your schedule and get your work done. You'll also learn about the redesigned Contacts section of Outlook (now called People). You'll discover how Outlook can connect to your social networks, and discuss the pros and cons of making those connections.

The course also shares secrets about how to get the most from Outlook. For example, did you know that you can create, send, and receive email messages without ever touching the mouse? It's faster and more efficient, and can even reduce some of the strain on your aching mouse hand. Introduction to Outlook 2013 dedicates an entire lesson to the instructor's favorite Outlook tips and tricks. Whether you're new to Outlook or you've been using it for years, you're sure to learn something useful in every lesson.

In this lesson, you'll pick up some of the fundamentals of this big, powerful program. You'll jump right in and get your hands dirty by playing with the user interface and learning a couple of different ways to navigate between the major sections that we'll be covering over the next six weeks. And just in case something comes up where you need immediate help, we'll go over how you can activate Outlook's help systems and get answers in seconds.

Today we're going to dig into the section of Outlook 2013 where most people spend most of their time: Mail view. Not surprisingly, Mail view is the place where you work with email messages, and once we go over some of the mechanics of the view itself, we'll spend the rest of our time on the basics of email. We'll cover sending, receiving, and replying to messages, as well as how you can use the spell-checker and signatures to give your messages some class.

In this lesson, we're going to address a few more aspects of working in Mail view and with email messages. First we'll look at alerts, flags, and categories. The alerts notify you when new messages arrive, while the flags and categories will help you stay organized and make sure you don't forget to do something important with your messages. We'll also look at how the mail protocol used by your email service to connect to Outlook can affect the way these features function. Then we'll look at how messages are used to transport files around the Internet (that is, how attachments work), and wrap up the lesson with something that most people never figure out about messages.

It's time to move our attention from email over to the related subject of contacts. By the end of this lesson, you'll be well on your way to mastery of Outlook 2013's new People view and the contacts that reside therein. More importantly, you'll know what contacts can do, and how to use them to keep track of all sorts of information. From there, we'll look at Contact Groups, including their benefits and pitfalls. To wrap things up, we'll talk a bit about Address Books, an approach to contacting people by email that you'll likely encounter (even if you don't realize it) when using Outlook in a corporate environment.

In this lesson, we'll complete our study of the People hub by exploring how Outlook connects to social networks. But we'll do more than just look at how you set up this connection. We'll spend a significant part of the lesson discussing the pros and cons of connecting Outlook to networks like Facebook, particularly when you use Outlook for work and Facebook for play. Once we get a connection set up, we'll look at how this information appears in both the relevant contacts and in email messages to and from known contacts.

So far in the course, we've dealt with communication-related topics like email and contacts. Now we're going off in another direction. Outlook 2013 has a flexible and easy-to-use Calendar that helps you track and manage all the stuff you need to get done. In this lesson, we focus on the basics of using the Calendar, scheduling appointments and meetings, and tracking events. We'll also look at two powerful tools that make working with the Calendar more efficient: Calendar Groups and Schedule view. By the time we're done today, you'll know what you need to know to be able to use one or more Outlook Calendars efficiently. This lesson not only gives you all the info you need about using Calendars—by the time you finish, you'll have reached the halfway point in the course.!

This lesson is about getting things done. Outlook tasks and to-dos are ways to keep track of what you need to get done. Tasks are pretty much what you'd expect—items that you create to keep track of some particular task. To-dos are somewhat more interesting in that they are Outlook's way of tracking things you need to do something about without creating a special task for them. By the time we're done today, you'll clearly understand the difference between tasks and to-dos and know how to work with the To-Do Bar and the Daily Task List, Outlook's two ways of constantly reminding you of the things you need to get done next.

Outlook 2013 is all about communication. But it is all about storing and managing information, too. In this lesson, we look at three aspects of Outlook that help with these essential tasks. Notes give us a way to keep track of all those little random bits of information that otherwise would end up on scraps of paper all over the place. And speaking of random stuff, we have shortcuts and the Shortcuts Pane. With these, you can effectively create your own custom Folder Pane, one that points to the Outlook items most important to you. Even better, you can use shortcuts to point to stuff that's outside of Outlook, meaning you can organize information that's anywhere on your computer, the company network, even out on the Internet. Finally, we begin learning about folders. Folders let you organize the masses of information that you can accumulate in Outlook, while the Folder List lets you find them all again. This discussion lays the groundwork for Lesson 9, where folders are revealed to be a key part of automating your work in Outlook.

One of the great things about Outlook is that you can use it for so much of your communications and personal information. But with so many messages, contacts, tasks, notes, and other pieces of information in one place, organizing and managing it for easy and efficient access can be a big chore. In this lesson, you'll learn how Outlook 2013's flexible category system and rules can help you manage the flood of information that flows into your Inbox every day. You'll also learn how to print from Outlook for those rare occasions where you just have to have information on paper.

<p>As you use Outlook 2013 more and more, you'll eventually reach the point where you need to store old items for future reference. You'll also get to the point where it's hard to find the information you need because Outlook contains so much. In this lesson, we'll learn about the tools Outlook gives you to automatically archive your old items as well as three different tools for finding those items you know are in there somewhere. </p>

<P>Outlook 2013 does a lot of things, and it often gives you multiple ways to do each of them. And beyond the basics, it can do many things that we can't possibly cover in a six-week course. But that doesn't mean we can't look at some cool tips that can make working with Outlook 2013 faster, easier, or just more fun. This is exactly what you'll do in this lesson. I think you're going to enjoy it. </P> </H1> </H1>

<P>Outlook 2013 offers several customization options that you can take advantage of without having to learn programming or develop advanced technical skills. This lesson covers several customizations that you may find useful.</P> </H1> </H1> </H1>

Bill Mann

Bill Mann has been writing about software and the Internet for over 15 years and has relied on Microsoft Outlook to keep him organised and on track since it first became available. He is the author of more than 15 books, including two about Outloo... Read more

Read Bill Mann's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Microsoft Outlook 2013 Fundamentals you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.