CompTIA A+
1 Mobile Devices
1-1 Explain the basic components and functionality of mobile devices
1-2 Identify common mobile device connectivity issues
1-3 Troubleshoot mobile device hardware and network issues
1-4 Perform basic mobile device synchronization
1-5 Configure and secure mobile devices
1-6 Explain mobile device application management
1-7 Identify common mobile device security threats
1-8 Implement mobile device security best practices
2 Networking
2-1 Explain basic networking concepts
2-2 Identify common networking hardware
2-3 Troubleshoot common networking issues
2-4 Configure and secure wired and wireless networks
2-5 Implement network addressing and name resolution
2-6 Explain network protocols and services
2-7 Identify common network security threats
2-8 Implement network security best practices
3 Hardware
3-1 Explain the basic components of a computer system
3-2 Identify common hardware components and their functions
3-3 Troubleshoot hardware issues
3-4 Install and configure hardware components
3-5 Perform basic hardware maintenance
3-6 Explain power supply and cooling systems
3-7 Identify common hardware security threats
3-8 Implement hardware security best practices
4 Virtualization and Cloud Computing
4-1 Explain virtualization and cloud computing concepts
4-2 Identify common virtualization and cloud computing technologies
4-3 Troubleshoot virtualization and cloud computing issues
4-4 Configure and secure virtualization and cloud computing environments
4-5 Implement virtualization and cloud computing best practices
5 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
5-1 Explain the troubleshooting process
5-2 Identify common hardware and network troubleshooting tools
5-3 Troubleshoot hardware and network issues
5-4 Implement hardware and network troubleshooting best practices
6 Operating Systems
6-1 Explain the basic components of an operating system
6-2 Identify common operating system components and their functions
6-3 Troubleshoot operating system issues
6-4 Install and configure operating systems
6-5 Perform basic operating system maintenance
6-6 Explain operating system security concepts
6-7 Implement operating system security best practices
7 Security
7-1 Explain basic security concepts
7-2 Identify common security threats and vulnerabilities
7-3 Troubleshoot security issues
7-4 Configure and secure systems and networks
7-5 Implement security best practices
7-6 Explain data destruction and disposal methods
8 Software Troubleshooting
8-1 Explain the software troubleshooting process
8-2 Identify common software troubleshooting tools
8-3 Troubleshoot software issues
8-4 Implement software troubleshooting best practices
9 Operational Procedures
9-1 Explain the importance of operational procedures
9-2 Identify common operational procedures
9-3 Implement operational procedures
9-4 Explain the importance of documentation and training
9-5 Implement documentation and training best practices
9-6 Explain the importance of environmental controls
9-7 Implement environmental controls best practices
9-8 Explain the importance of safety procedures
9-9 Implement safety procedures best practices
7 Security Concepts

7 Security Concepts

Key Concepts

Confidentiality

Confidentiality ensures that sensitive information is accessible only to those authorized to view it. This is typically achieved through encryption and access controls. Confidentiality is crucial for protecting personal data, financial records, and other sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Example: Think of confidentiality as a locked diary. Just as a locked diary keeps personal thoughts private, confidentiality keeps sensitive data secure from prying eyes.

Integrity

Integrity ensures that information remains accurate and unaltered. This involves preventing unauthorized changes to data and ensuring that any modifications are authorized and accurate. Integrity is vital for maintaining the reliability and trustworthiness of data.

Example: Integrity is like a sealed envelope. Just as a sealed envelope ensures that the contents inside are not tampered with, integrity ensures that data remains unchanged and trustworthy.

Availability

Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed. This involves maintaining system uptime, preventing downtime, and ensuring that critical services are always available. Availability is essential for business continuity and operational efficiency.

Example: Availability is like a reliable water supply. Just as a reliable water supply ensures that water is always available when needed, availability ensures that information and services are always accessible when required.

Authentication

Authentication verifies the identity of users and systems. This is typically done through passwords, biometric scans, and multi-factor authentication. Authentication is the first step in ensuring that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information and systems.

Example: Authentication is like showing an ID at the entrance of a secure building. Just as an ID verifies your identity, authentication verifies that you are who you claim to be before granting access.

Authorization

Authorization determines what actions an authenticated user is allowed to perform. This involves setting permissions and access levels based on roles and responsibilities. Authorization ensures that users can only access and modify data that they are permitted to.

Example: Authorization is like having a keycard that only opens certain doors in a building. Just as a keycard determines which areas you can access, authorization determines what resources and actions you can perform.

Non-Repudiation

Non-repudiation ensures that a party cannot deny the authenticity of their signature on a document or the sending of a message. This is typically achieved through digital signatures and audit trails. Non-repudiation is crucial for legal and contractual agreements.

Example: Non-repudiation is like a signed contract. Just as a signed contract cannot be denied by the signer, non-repudiation ensures that actions and communications cannot be denied by the parties involved.

Accountability

Accountability ensures that actions taken by users and systems can be traced back to the responsible party. This involves logging activities and maintaining audit trails. Accountability is essential for identifying and addressing security incidents and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Example: Accountability is like a security camera in a store. Just as a security camera records all activities and can identify who did what, accountability ensures that all actions are logged and can be traced back to the responsible party.