CompTIA Cloud+ certification now available worldwide

DOWNERS GROVE, USA: A new professional-level skills certification for information technology (IT) workers immersed in the fast-growing environment of cloud computing was launched today by CompTIA, the non-profit association for the global IT industry.

CompTIA Cloud+ certification validates the knowledge and best practices required of IT practitioners who must understand and deliver cloud infrastructure solutions.

"Cloud computing is an integral part of the IT landscape for a growing number of organizations," said Terry Erdle, executive VP, skills certification, CompTIA. "As cloud-based applications proliferate and network architectures become more diverse, networking and technical sales professionals must become proficient in new skills."

In fact, 90 percent of companies report they're using some form of cloud computing, according to CompTIA's Fourth Annual Trends in Cloud Computing study. At the same time, separate industry reports indicate that the number of cloud-related job postings grew by 30 percent in 2012 (Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights); and that 1.7 million cloud jobs went unfilled last year (IDC and Microsoft).

"CompTIA Cloud+ was developed by the industry to address this shortage, providing IT professionals with a credential that validates their ability to efficiently and securely implement and maintain cloud technologies," Erdle said.

CompTIA Cloud+ is the next career step for experienced network, storage, system and data center administrators and others working in environments that increasingly utilize cloud computing and virtualization.

The exam certifies that a successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to understand standard cloud terminologies and methodologies; implement and maintain cloud technologies and infrastructures (e.g., server, network storage and virtualization technologies); and understand aspects of IT security and the use of industry best practices related to cloud implementation and the application of virtualization.