Why Is Network+ Certification Important?

With your CompTIA network+ certification, you can work in government establishments. However, you would be required to maintain a CEU (continuing education units) and must have done 30 in 3 years even after you have been ticked as a CompTIA network+ certificate holder.
Scope

Most IT certifications categorize the obtainable knowledge into several domains and then into sub-domains. To pass the exam means understanding the basic domain. However, the sub-domain information would greatly affect your certification.

Here is the scope of the CompTIA Network+ certificate examination.
Network architecture
Network security
Network operations
Troubleshooting
Industry standards, network theory, and practices

Each of these domains has some information you have to grasp and understand to excel in the exams. You aren't expected to be an expert but have basic knowledge of what an employer expects from you as the certificate holder.
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he impact on your exam time management

In addition to “How many questions are on the A+ exam?” an important time factor to take into consideration is the Performance-based questions (PBQ). These questions are typically a handful at each exam and each of those takes a lot longer to answer than any of the multiple-choice questions. The reason for that is that the PBQs are interactive tasks aimed at testing your skill as opposed to just knowledge. Because of that, the PBQs are made up of procedures involving several steps. For more on the PBQ see our “What kind of questions are on the A+ certification test?” blog post.

the salaries of the jobs listed below are averaged over a sample of employees who have shared their salaries as public information. The total sample size is 57,702 individuals.
The sample sizes for each certification are:
17,881 reported salaries for A+
16,471 reported salaries for Network+
23,350 reported salaries for Security+

The reason we bring up the PBQ here is that they need to be addressed within the framework of your time management strategy for the A+ certification exams. There is a misconception that CompTIA will not certify you unless you succeed at these questions. Not only is that not true, but CompTIA doesn’t even give you extra points for these questions. Why should that be important to you? Because it means that unless you are supremely confident you can tackle all the questions easily and fast during your exam session, you will want to mark the PBQs “for later” (a feature made available to you in the exam-taking software) and answer all the multiple-choice questions first as you can answer more of those a lot faster (provided you know the answers) than the PBQs. Once you have been through all the MCQs you can then calmly allocate the remaining time to the PBQ. This will be a lot less stressful and so increases your chances of getting them right. Again, you don’t have to get all of them right. To obtain a passing score you will need to get about 85% of the questions right.

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How to Get Your IT Team Prepared for CompTIA A+

In today’s world, organizations must ensure the security of their systems. With the digitalization of the processes, organizations are more prone to cyber attacks. Organizations need to protect their valuable assets from the rising number of threats. No wonder, businesses need IT professionals with expertise in networking and security.

In this blog, we will discuss why CompTIA A+ certification is necessary for your IT professionals to help your organization function seamlessly.

Do you want to expedite your IT skills with CompTIA A+ and Network+ certification? Then watching this recorded CompTIA webinar will certainly help you out!
What Else Should I Know about this Exam?

The exam is offered in English, Japanese, and Portuguese. On a scale of 100 to 900, 750 is a passing score. You are advised to have CompTIA Network+ certification already, plus two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus. You studied; you bought your voucher; you went to a Pearson VUE test site and took the exam. You passed!

What should your next step be? What does the certification get you? How do you earn back the $311 you spent to get certified?

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Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert certifications

After becoming MCSA certified, there are many specialized Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certifications you can pursue. For example, the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure and the MCSE Server Infrastructure credentials apply directly to network administrator job roles.

The MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification proves that you can securely deploy and maintain desktop PCs. This credential includes two additional exams beyond the three tests required for MCSA: Windows Server 2012:
70-415 | Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure
70-416 | Implementing Desktop Application Environments

The MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification validates your ability to run physical and virtual servers – a sought-after skill in modern enterprise environments – and includes two more exams beyond the MCSA: Windows Server 2012:
70-413 | Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
70-414 | Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
Summary

If you plan on pursuing a job as a network administrator, it’s best to lay a solid foundation with CompTIA's A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications. With a little dedication, you can obtain these three credentials in about six months.
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Jobs You Qualify for with a CompTIA Security+ Certification

Systems Administrator
Systems administrators wear a lot of hats in the information security realm. Generally speaking, the big picture of the systems administrator role is an IT professional who is charged with planning, implementing, and maintaining computer and sever systems for an organization. That’s a very broad description – there are many specialized systems administrators who have more specific and unique roles within the information security field.
Penetration Tester
Penetration testers are the IT professionals who look for and identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s network security, exploit them to test the stability and security of the system, and then make recommendations for how to resolve the vulnerabilities. Penetration testers are considered to be vital in environments with a proactive cybersecurity strategy. Passing the Security+ certification exam will provide you with the basic knowledge that is needed to qualify for an entry-level pen testing job, and can be paired with additional training (like Certified Ethical Hacker certification) to advance to even more exciting and unique roles.
Military or Industrial Information Security Jobs
Information security, also called Infosec, is growing in its popularity and scope. It’s difficult to assign a specific job title for these military and specialized security jobs. However, despite not having specific titles, there is a demand for trained IT professionals to work in sensitive environments. This could involve anything from securing servers at large industrial corporations to working as a civilian contractor on a top-secret project on a military base. A quick look at the available jobs on usajobs.gov will show a bunch of Infosec job opportunities. This type of position can be exciting, requiring you to obtain top-secret clearance, and being privy to national or industrial secrets. It requires integrity and work, but can be a very lucrative career from the get-go.
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How CompTIA Security + certification can help your career?

The CompTIA Security + certification consists of the best security practice on risk identification and mitigation. The skills candidates will build through this certification will not only help them to clear the certification exam but also focus on the key areas like security analytics. Still not convinced to pursue this CompTIA Certification course? Let’s find more about it to change your opinion.

You will earn a vendor-neutral security credential

CompTIA Security + is a globally recognized certification. That means professionals who have successfully obtained this certification can work anywhere across the globe. However, the skill they have are not limited to any specific IT vendor. This makes them eligible to work in any place where security is required.

Hands-on experience doesn’t always align with IT certification exams. IT professionals with years of experience fail these entry-level exams and others with only classroom experience pass. A study guide book and a few online review questions may be all you need if you have worked in the networking field for a while, though a prep course can still be very helpful in mapping out what to expect in the exam.

If you aren’t already working in this field and don’t know your RD45 from your RD11 or know that it is an RJ and not an RD, then it is highly recommend to take a CompTIA Networking+ prep course. A prep course can guide you through the skills and knowledge you need to demonstrate, including providing specific activities that can build up your skill set.

Fortunately, you can enroll in a low cost prep course online so you can prepare for your certification exam at your convenience. If you want to save a lot of money on a prep course, check out the low-cost CompTIA Networking+ course available through StraighterLine. A highly respected and experienced online course provider, StraighterLine offers CompTIA certification training courses that cost $59 with a $99 monthly membership.
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Best midlevel Microsoft certifications

When you’ve completed an MTA or other entry-level certification, you may consider an intermediate certification from Microsoft.
Microsoft certified solutions expert (MCSE): MCSE certifications come in several specializations and show that you have the skills to manage servers, data systems, storage, private clouds, networking and more, depending on which you complete.
Microsoft certified solutions developer (MCSD): Getting the MCSD certification shows that you have what it takes to design and create apps across a wide range of Windows products.

MCSE and MCSD are two of the most highly regarded certifications in tech. Either of these will add some sparkle to your IT resume.
Optionally: Any peripheral devices mentioned in the objectives.

You may have a collection of devices that you kept after a change. That’s a good start! Now ask friends if they have anything to contribute. You’ll be surprised at the number of working devices you get. Take stock then compare to the CompTIA suggested system configuration.

Below are a few more questions relating to the A+ exam that we answer on our blog. We are writing these posts right now and post them as we go, so come back soon!

How many questions are on the A+ exam?

What kind of questions are on the A+ certification test?

Is the A+ certification worth it?

How much money can you make with a A+ certification?

We all wish you the best in your quest for A+ certification.
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Tips to pass Security+ exam successfully

One key to passing the certification exam is to know as much as possible about the rules and policies, so you’re not surprised on exam day.

Review test policies ahead of time. What if exam day is approaching and you don’t feel ready yet? Well, you can reschedule or cancel any time until 24 hours before the exam. You should also know that test takers are not allowed to use electronic devices, including laptops, smartphones or smartwatches, during the exam for any CompTIA certifications. Follow this link to get more information on the test policies. Get familiar with them before you go to the exam, so you can stay focused on what’s important and not worry about little things.

Use the right strategies during the test. Here are useful tips on the approach to answering the test questions:

Skip questions you are not confident in. Since the test is timed, if you are not sure about the correct answer to a question, don’t waste too much time on it. Instead, click the “Flag for review” option and come back to it later.

Read the test questions carefully. Pay extra attention to capitalized words like “BEST,” “MOST” and “LEAST.” If several answers might seem correct, you need to choose the one that corresponds to the capitalized word.

Be prepared for performance-based questions. To answer performance-based questions (PBQs), you need to perform a task or solve a problem in a simulated environment. These are more complex than other standard questions and often take more time to solve. They appear at the beginning of the test, but you will not see the clock that shows the time remaining while you are working on PBQs. If you are not confident about your answer, flag it for review and return to it later.
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Focus on consumption vs. installation

In a tactical world, having operational systems in place is the main thing that matters. The IT team might focus on details of system performance, but for the business as a whole the primary criteria is uptime. In a strategic world, measuring utilization can help identify opportunities for improvement. This is especially true in an environment where computing and storage can be paid for as they get used. From infrastructure to applications, understanding the details of consumption and fine-tuning the architecture can lead to better efficiency, which in turn leads to more potential for innovation.
Treat IT components as necessities vs. luxuries

Every company will have a different definition for required technology. The makeup of the workforce, the attitudes around technology adoption, and the availability of tech support can all factor into a company’s tech baseline. For every company, though, there are items that were once considered luxuries that are now necessities in a digital economy. For example, a business may have previously taken a strict view on which employees truly needed laptops or smartphones based on their job requirements. Then a global pandemic comes along and turns everyone into a remote worker. Focusing only on today’s needs isn’t the best way to prepare for tomorrow’s changes.
Build solutions together vs. operating in silos

When IT is viewed as a support role, there is a tendency to throw things over the wall. A business unit states what they need, and IT goes off and builds a solution. Strategic environments are far more collaborative. Every department brings their specialized expertise to the table, and there are clear priorities that define trade-offs. As self-service cloud systems became popular, business units experimented with doing their own procurement. But problems with security and integration showed that an enterprise architecture can’t be built piecemeal, and IT teams now play a role in future decisions—provided they have a working knowledge about the business issues involved.

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Preparing for the CompTIA Security+ Exam

While working his help desk role and handling IT tickets, Deegan began building his higher-level skills through studying for the CompTIA Security+. He began a cybersecurity course through training provider Robust IT. It didn’t take him long to realize just how much there was to learn as a cybersecurity novice, even for a lifelong computer user with a mind for tech.

"Being new, a lot of it I didn’t understand," Deegan said. "You think you understand these things, but then when someone starts laying it out in front of you properly, you go ‘oh, OK.’ There was a lot I picked up (in the course), but then I had to do a lot of research on the bits I didn’t understand."

So, research he did. Deegan spent long nights reading, trying to wrap his mind around the higher-level IT concepts that form the foundation for cybersecurity. He used other study tools, too. YouTube proved to be an excellent source for finding walkthroughs and clarification. By his exam date, Deegan was ready.

The company he was working for was bought out, and job cuts came shortly thereafter. Deegan found himself laid off, made redundant.
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completing the A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications

As with other CompTIA certifications, you can attend a class to master the objectives in the exam or self-study. The popular CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-301 Study Guide has been used by many people to pass the Security+ certification the first time they take it.
Security+ study time: 45 days, after passing Network+ exam
A Fork in the Road

After completing the A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications you have a decision to make. Do you want to pursue a Cisco path or a Microsoft path? Both paths are proprietary and there isn't much crossover between the two so it will be very difficult if you decide to pursue both at the same time.

In many cases, an employer lets you know what is valuable to the company and this is often the deciding factor. In other cases, people just enjoy working with operating systems more than networking devices or vice versa (by the time you finish the CompTIA certifications you should know your preference). As the old saying goes, ’Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’

Of course there are exceptions and there’s no reason you can’t pursue both paths. If this is your choice, the early Cisco certifications such as the CCENT and CCNA R&S are the logical next step. The CompTIA Network+ lays a good foundation for both. After completing the CCNA R&S you can turn your attention to Microsoft certifications.
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Ways to prepare for the CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ exam can be challenging for those who do not have knowledge or experience in their concepts. But to resolve this issue, there various training providers that can help you in providing the best material for CompTIA Network+ Certification exam. Below there are some training options that can be helpful for this exam.
Instructor-led Training

CompTIA partners with many organizations that provide classroom training programs for CompTIA certifications. These trainings include classroom training, study materials, and e-learning. Moreover, these training courses teach using the latest exam objectives for each certification. However, these classroom fees range from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the duration and course.
Practice Tests

Aspirants having a good knowledge and experience in networking often skip the practicing part. And, this is very important to assess yourself using the test. Since the N10-007 exam is new hence, the sources for practice tests are limited but you can find some training providers online. Click here to get the free practice test for the CompTIA Network+ exam.
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Online Community for CompTIA Exam Tricks

Finding a CompTIA study group online is a great way to work out your brain. They are a lot of great resources, study suggestions, and more in the CompTIA subreddit, /r/CompTIA which is full of people who have either passed their certifications or who are deep in the process. If you need extra help with a tricky section, ask! They’re always happy to share the secrets to their success and give all the information about the tests you could want. (Without breaking the non-disclosure agreement, of course.)

Again, these tests are about managing time and are graded on a pass-fail basis. So, if a question seems too hard, skip it! On a test like Security+, there are actually beta questions, seemingly random questions which are being tried out for a future version of the test. They are not graded, which is good, though it’s hard to tell what is and isn’t a beta question so don’t skip TOO many questions without answering.

While beta questions aren’t a feature of all CompTIA exams, skipping a confusing question will give you more time to answer the questions you do understand. By the time you return to the question, you may see it in a whole new light or have the confidence to answer.

One of the simplest exam tricks is if a question contains capitalized words like “BEST,” “MOST,” or “LEAST,” pay attention! This gives you a hint as to what the question is really asking. There could be a number of answers that seem to fit, but only one that corresponds with the capitalized word and will help you pass your test.
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How CompTIA Security plus training

As almost all mid-size and large companies have huge databases these days, it is very much evident that the security of these data is one of the fastest growing fields within IT. One of the most appropriate certification for security is the CompTIA Security + Certification. It is the certification offered to enable the IT professionals adept in data security to obtain appropriate certification proof according to their skills. This certification is a vendor neutral certification.

The holding of the CompTIA Security plus certification provides an edge to the IT Specialists and acts as a proof of their credentials and skills in the different fields such as network security, compliance, operational security, different threats and management of vulnerabilities, security of applications, data and hosts, efficient access control etc.,

The advantage of the CompTIA Security plus Certification is that it validates not only adequate competency in the field of security concepts and tools but also to work applying the appropriate procedures to rectify and resolve any security related incidents. The CompTIA Security plus Certification also assures that IT Professionals possessing this type of IT certification can predict risks related to security and act accordingly to ensure protection.

The necessity to renew the CompTIA Security plus Certification was introduced in 2011. CompTIA Security + Certification holders can participate in the continuous education programs to earn Continuing Education Units and to renew their credentials.

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Earning the new CompTIA A+ certification

Being CompTIA A+ certified is definitely worth it when it comes to landing entry-level jobs. It is recognized as one of the very first certifications that prospective IT pros should obtain. It validates enough general knowledge and skills about computers and networking to be useful. It is not intended as a super certification that trumps experience, but it shows employers two things.

First, you are willing to learn and advance your career. Second, it shows that you have the ability to study and pass an exam. Like it or not, certifications are a part of the job.

Believe it or not, earning CompTIA A+ places you above non-certification holders. That’s nothing to take for granted if you are just starting out. Having the A+ can help you land entry-level IT jobs like desktop support or help desk tech.

The new CompTIA A+ is a good place to start. It provides the foundational knowledge for bigger and better roles further down the line. The A+ even has the DoD stamp of approval, if you’re thinking about working for the U.S. government.
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Pass the CompTia A+ Certification Exams

Build your own desktop computer (or build one for a friend)

CompTIA A+ Certification exams test you on a large amount of hardware knowledge. One of the most rewarding experiences you can have in IT is the satisfaction of building your first computer. Few things are so intimidating and yet so simple. Building a desktop computer is an exhilarating way to familiarize yourself with hardware and components. The muscle memory and time-intensive process teaches you in a way that reading and watching just can’t. Building a desktop helps clarify what the RAM, HDD, SSD, GPU, CPU, MOBO and a host of other acronyms mean. CompTIA A+ exams have MANY questions covering a large spectrum of hardware and software knowledge that is required at an entry-level Information Technology job. Building a desktop gives you experience in setting up an OS, running through a BIOS, hardware differences, selecting case and motherboard type, and much more. It is a great way to feel confident on exam day, knowing that the hardware portion of the CompTIA exam is not just theory but real world practice.
Set up a CompTIA A+ test lab

Be honest. You wouldn’t get on an airplane with a Pilot who has never flown an airplane. Experience matters. While a significant amount of time can be spent on CompTIA A+ certification preparation, the best study guide is experience. Nothing prepares you more for a test than fixing a computer and running through the operating system to get a feel for it. A test lab is easy to set-up and requires very little in terms of money. In fact, any laptop will do. At worst, if you lack of funding, using Ebay, Offerup, Thrift Stores and more can net you some basic parts from ancient times to set-up your lab.

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MSP for the Future

Another large difference within the cloud is having resources on demand. You can set up your servers to spin up more instances if there is a lot of consumption, like at peak times, and then just shut them off and not pay for them when they are not needed. Optimizing the use of those resources for cost is very specific to your cloud provider.

Are you providing added value?
Adding value isn’t just a nice to have anymore. Amongst the cloud-based ISVs, SaaS-focused reseller/referral partners and digital marketing agencies, augmenting what you offer is essential to build your position with your customers. Examples include:
Converged services.
Subscription-based pricing.
Landscape monitoring to anticipate issues and opportunities for customers.
Owned proprietary IP.
Proactive offers and discounts.
Partnership risk sharing.
XaaS as basis of business.
Industry and vertical expertise.
360-degree physical security.
Anticipation of the needs of their customers.
A line of business focus to support use of best practices.
Knowledgeable application support.
Business transformation services for customers.
Virtual CIO services.

Where I worked before, we would have technical refreshes with on-premises data centers, finding the best cost of new hardware that will be most reliable until new funds were allocated. Here in the cloud, we are determining if our instances can run smaller, configuring autoscaling groups for more efficiencies or discerning which style of deployment or cloud-provided utility will best fit our system needs at the lowest cost. As most cloud providers keep incorporating new features and changing prices, this can be very interesting and keep you on your toes!

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The Creative Problem Solver’s

IT is a profession that’s built around the hard science of computing, so for those casual users who haven’t spent much time investigating the ins and outs of computers, it might sound a little dry. Or intimidating. But while there’s plenty to learn about the way computers and networks function in order to manage the technology in a professional environment, hard facts are hardly the half of it. A help desk technician or technical support specialist who’s been in the game for even just a little while can tell you that there’s an art to IT: the better part of providing high-quality service is bringing knowledge to life with creative thinking.

Every help desk ticket poses its own unique challenges, so being able to think on your feet and use creative problem-solving skills is a key to success in IT at every step of the game. This is why the latest update of CompTIA A+, the foundational entry-level IT certification, tests as heavily on the ability to think through problems as it does on the knowledge it takes to recognize them.

If you’re considering IT as a career path, don’t fear that you might be setting yourself up for something boring. Help desk-level IT work is anything but that. To understand how, take a look at the following ways creative problem-solving skills come into play, every day, at the help desk.
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How to Get into IT

There are many different tracks your IT career can take. If you’re interested in protecting systems, a career in cybersecurity will give you a lot of opportunities for growth and career satisfaction. If you like helping people and problem solving, then working your way up from help desk to advanced tech support or computer networking could be a great start.

You don’t have to make that decision today. Learn more about IT, experiment to find out what you like and run with it! One way to learn about IT careers is to meet other IT professionals. The CompTIA Association for Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and Women in Tech Summits (WITS) are two ways to do just that. Furloughed government workers can even get a scholarship to attend WITS Mid-Atlantic in 2019.

IT certifications can help you explore the different outlets of IT and learn a lot, too. CompTIA certifications particularly align with IT infrastructure and cybersecurity career paths, with each added certification representing a deepening of your expertise.

Core certifications, like CompTIA A+, lay the groundwork for the specialized pathway certifications, and additional professional certifications, like CompTIA Project+, cover necessary IT skills.

So, what’s next? We’d like to offer you a free trial of CompTIA CertMaster Practice to get your feet wet and test out IT. CompTIA CertMaster Practice is an intelligent online course that helps you learn fast and remember information long-term as you prepare for your certification exam. It quickly assesses what you know and then focuses on filling your knowledge gaps. It’s a great addition to your exam prep plan and guides you to mastery of the curriculum. Try CompTIA CertMaster out and discover how exciting learning about technology is. And if you think learning about it is fun, wait until you land a job in IT – that’s when the real fun begins!
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Ways to Bridge the Divide Between Security and IT Operations

Bridging the digital divide between SOC and IT operations is critical to providing adequate protection from security threats. The following infographic shares the different struggles CISO and SOC professionals face with six things SOC leaders can do right away to amend them, and provides key insights on how organizations can maintain a well-run SOC.
Bridging the Divide

As highlighted by the above infographic, there are several ways to solve the miscommunication between the SOC and C-suite members. Below are some tips for SOC leaders that can be incorporated right away.

Begin by having open conversations with the analysts.

Consider implementing a monthly meeting with the SOC to sync on current issues and concerns.

Ask them questions such as the following:
“What issues are you facing right now that interfere with your performance?”
“What would make it easier for you to do your job?
“How are your recommendations for lessons learned tracked and actioned?”
“What cooperation do you lack?”
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Pattern-Based Thinking to Solve Interplanetary Conflict

Nnedi Okorafor is a Nigerian-American author who won both Hugo and Nebula awards for best novella for Binti, the first in a series.

A basic insight and pattern recognition can keep a lot of problems from getting worse – even interplanetary ones. This shorter book delivers intense storytelling, familiar Afrofuturist world building and authentic vocabulary in a compact format.

Binti is a young woman from a futurized Himba people, a current minority in Namibia. The novel kicks off with her thoughts and observations while she powers up a dodgy transporter.

As Binti leaves her home culture and family to travel to an off-planet university, the unforeseen occurs. As IT pros may know best, incident response can be about doing the best you can in a bad situation.

Proposing a project at the right time can help you land the work. Bring new ideas in when your potential clients are making the budget and not when they’ve just finalized it, for example, and plan far enough ahead to be able to do it in stages; awareness, consideration and selection.

“Give them time to consider it and then time to make up the contract and get all the pieces in place,” she said.

When people move through the buyer’s journey, they’re going to start wanting to know more, she said. The selection phase is where MSPs offer the kinds of super specific content they can develop for prospective customers.
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