The World According to Mitch

Nearly five years ago I wrote an article about Stackable Certifications. This was when I had just earned my first two stackable certifications from CompTIA because I had passed A+, Network+, and Security+. For passing four CompTIA exams I had earned five certifications (adding CIOS and CSIS to those three). I am not sure if I misunderstood them at the time, or if things have changed since I wrote that article. When I passed my CySA+ exam in 2023 I earned a new one (CSAP), but I was going through a very difficult time in my life at the time so I didn’t pay much attention. In August of this year I passed SecurityX exam, earning me another (CSAE), but within thirty minutes of my passing that exam I was notified that my CISSP had been approved, so that fell by the wayside as well.

I have used Linux for more than two decades, but never spent the time needed to really be an expert in it. When one of the training providers I contract to asked me a few weeks ago if I would deliver a Linux+ course, I told them I would need a couple of weeks to brush up and really become proficient again. I have seen too many technical trainers deliver courses on technologies they were not expert in, and I vowed a long time ago that I would never be one of those. I am not afraid to tell my students that I don’t know something… I just don’t like doing it. The training company sent me the courseware and an exam voucher, and so in between preparing for and delivering another class mid-November, I started preparing to deliver Linux+… after passing the exam.

It was under the wire, but I sat the exam on Saturday (two days before the class). For those of you who are wondering, I was already prepared for the class delivery, and the certification exam was just a box that I needed to check. I passed the exam and then went to watch the hockey game with a few friends. It was not until the following morning that I woke up to receive three emails from CompTIA congratulating me on my new certifications and inviting me to collect my badges.

It seems that the CSSS (CompTIA Systems Support Specialist) is awarded to those who hold the A+ and Linux+ certifications, and is a Specialist stackable certification. (I now hold the two in this category, with CIOS for A+ and Network+). The CNLP (CompTIA Linux Network Professional) is a Professional stackable certification, and is awarded those who hold Network+ and Server+. (there are two others in this category, for which I would need to pass Server+ and Cloud+).

While I do not know that I will pursue the Server+ certification, the Cloud+ would also earn the CSCP (CompTIA Secure Cloud Professional) stackable cert. The exam I should really pursue as a cybersecurity professional, however, is PenTest+, which will earn me two Professional level stackables (CNVAP (CompTIA Network Vulnerability Professional) and CNSP (CompTIA Network Security Professional), as well as the other Expert level stackable that I don’t hold (CSIE – CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Expert).

I have spoken at length about the difficulty of finding the right candidate to fit a position. I have told both candidates and employers that one advantage of certifications is that when you know what combination of skills you need, they can connect you to the appropriate candidates to fill the role. Stackable certifications can help guide both the candidate and the employer in reaching the right match. Rather than saying ‘We need a network professional who is conversant in Linux’ they need only look for the CLNP credential.

While stackable certifications are another credential that can be shared on a CV or profile, they are not really new. When I first started getting certified, my goal was to earn the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) certification. To do so, I first had to earn my MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), and then my MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator). Before I started out, there were MCSE specialties if I recall… possibly for Exchange Server and SQL Server. In any case, the different MCP exams stacked into the MCSA and then MCSE. CompTIA has simply brought them back into my life… and named them for me 😉

Conclusion

Certifications are a great way to learn and to advance your career. Stackable certifications are a way for you to guide your learning in a particular direction, and for employers to seek out the right candidates for positions without requiring three or four different certifications listed. ‘We need s CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist’ is the same as saying ‘The prerequisites for the position are A+, Network+, and Security+.’ Those who have them will know… and those who don’t might do some research so that they can pursue the missing pieces to be a better candidate.