LINTHICUM, Md., April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The nation's top cyber investigators can earn a key industry certification under a new initiative between the Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) and CompTIA, the leading non-profit association for the information technology (IT) industry.

The collaboration enables students at DC3's Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy (DCITA) to earn the CompTIA Network+ certification through a new course, which combines essential networking coursework and the certification exam in one offering.

The Fundaments of Networking (FN) course, offered both online and in-residence, culminates with the CompTIA Network+ certification exam for students holding an exam voucher.

An increasing number of military personnel and federal employees are required to access privileged network infrastructure as part of their regular job duties. Department of Defense Directive 8570 requires these individuals to hold specific certifications depending on job duty. The FN course provides training for the Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level 1-approved CompTIA Network+ certification.

The FN course presents essential network technology concepts, including network hardware, cabling and topologies, and the methods to configure them. Students learn many of the common protocols used in networking as well as how network technologies make use of them.

Additionally, the DCITA curriculum includes other training that satisfies continuing education requirements for maintaining CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications. The coursework enables cyber professionals to stay current on DoDD 8570 certification requirements by earning CompTIA continuing education units (CEUs). Eligible training options available on the academy's online learning portal include:

• DCITA CyberCasts: These webinar presentations, focused on technical topics, earn one CEU each. The free 60-minute videos provide training on current developments in cyber security, network management, operating systems and more.
• DCITA Courses: CompTIA has approved dozens of academy courses for CEUs. Students who have completed a DCITA course or plan to do so can check the course descriptions in the online catalog to find CEU-eligible courses.

About DCITA
DCITA provides classroom and web-based cyber investigative and incident response training via five specialty tracks and 36 courses to DoD elements that protect DoD information systems from unauthorized use and criminal, fraudulent and foreign intelligence activities. DCITA confers DoD certifications in digital forensics, cyber investigations and incident response. To complement its in-residence training, DCITA has an extensive distance program.

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 CompTIA online and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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SOURCE CompTIA