Today I finally earned my CompTIA Security+ credential! Let me just say that it has been a process!

This particular adventure began back in June, 2024. This was my second 8-week course (of 6 total) with the Cybersecurity Workforce Certification Training (CWCT) program, and I took this class with Glenn Hernandez. SUCH a great instructor. The course was so hands-on, meeting twice a week, and using Cisco Netlab+ to go through so many different cybersecurity tasks using different tools such as Webgoat, Burpsuite, Wireshark, plus much more, plus different environments like pfSense, SecOnion, and of course Kali. The other incredible content we had access to was LinkedIn Learning, where we went through the entirety of Mike Chapple’s Cert Prep. So, so good. This course and the content was incredible. And, all on scholarship. Who’s blessed? This girl right here!

Y’all - I should’ve sat for this certification AGES ago! But, after this came another class, then another, then I think I was involved with WiCyS and through all of that, of course my familial obligations. It just fell by the wayside.

BUT. I did it today and I’m feeling so chuffed about it. And happy to be able to put the books down for a minute, then get back to more studying with SANS SEC401. I continue to be blessed.

I want to share some resources that might help you in your cybersecurity journey, period, but also with Security+, specifically.

First, everyone’s go-to for good reason, Professor Messer. He’s AMAZING. I love the bite-sized videos. I WILL absolutely be watching again. He has other collateral available if you’re interested.

Then Mike Chapple’s LinkedIn Learning content, SY0-701 Cert Prep.

Pete Zerger has a YouTube Security+ course through Inside Cloud and Security. It’s DEFINITELY worth your time to go through his domain videos.

I also attended Sari Greene’s Crash Course with O’Reilly (not a free platform, but you can get a 10-day trial) and she’s having another session, over a 2-day period, on June 3-4, 2025. Before that, though, I completed her on-demand course, which I HIGHLY recommend. I had access to the entirety of O’Reilly’s learning platform through a year-long scholarship and it really does deliver.

Recently, the SY0-701 Crash Course with Francois B. Arthenas. It’s only two hours of content, but he covers SO much and it all makes sense. Worth a watch.

Another recent find, with Denis from Cyberkraft, The Ports and Protocols You Need for the Security+ SY0-701 Exam. He goes through the ports & protocols, but also has a pdf you can download right there from YouTube without having to fill anything out and get spammed later. Bonus!

Simone B has a nice video, How To Pass the CompTIA Security+ 701 Exam On Your First Try.

Oh, and I keep forgetting because I finished it a while ago, but the CWCT program, in addition to the no-cost certificate voucher, had me go through the uCertify Exam Prep Course first. Definitely not free, but SO good. If I would have just sat for the exam after finishing going through this prep, I’d have been in better shape. uCertify has other items to assist in your tech endeavors, so do check them out.

And finally, of course, are the physical books: CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Guide by Ian Neil published by packt, Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead by Darril Gibson & Joe Shelley, and CompTIA Security+ Certification Kit: Exam SY0-701 (Sybex Study Guide) by Mike Chapple and David Seidl. I used the latter heavily when reading, but I used Ian’s book to get at the “remember this” information - I found those pieces very helpful. I did not take as many practice tests as I should have. I just ran out of time - which, again, this whole thing has been a process and I could have done better with it all.

At any rate, it’s done and dusted and I have another certification to add to my belt.

You probably came here from my LinkedIn, but if not, should you want to chat about this or cybersecurity in general just message me here.

Stay safe out there, friends!

-bk