CompTIA’s Network+ is one of the most popular entry-level IT and cybersecurity certifications available, and it’s got an update in September 2021. The new exam (from N10-007 to N10-008) will align the certification with the most in-demand job trends to ensure Network+ holders have the skills necessary to succeed in 2022 and beyond.

2. Meet the
panel
Senior Manager, Certification Product Management
CompTIA
Jeff Peters
Director of Content Marketing
Infosec
Randall Edwards

3. Today’s
webcast
➢ CompTIA Network+ (N10-008) overview
➢ CompTIA career pathway
➢ Network+ N10-008 exam changes
➢ CompTIA training resources
➢ Q&A

4. Free resources
Download your free resources
from CompTIA and Infosec
➢ Breaking into cybersecurity flyer
➢ CompTIA cybersecurity career pathway
➢ CompTIA Network+ exam outline

5. CompTIA Network+ overview

6. CompTIA Network+
Validates skills needed to deploy and maintain networks
➢ CompTIA Network+ validates the technical skills needed to
securely establish, maintain and troubleshoot the essential
networks that businesses rely on
➢ Unlike other vendor-specific networking certifications,
CompTIA Network+ prepares candidates to support
networks on any platform
➢ CompTIA Network+ is the only certification that covers the
specific skills that network engineers need. Other
certifications are so broad, they don’t cover the hands-on
skills and precise knowledge needed in today’s networking
environments
➢ The new exam launches September 15, 2021

7. Who needs Network+?
Primary job roles
➢ Junior network administrator
➢ Datacenter support technician
➢ Network engineer
➢ System administrator
➢ NOC technician
➢ Telecommunications technician
➢ Cable technician
Recommended experience
➢ 1–2 years total IT experience, with 9–12
months of hands-on experience working
in a network support or network
administration role
➢ A+ certified individuals are ideal
candidates; those wishing to obtain
Security+ or move into the infrastructure
pathway are also good candidates (i.e.,
looking to pursue Server+ or Linux+)

8. CompTIA Network+: Why is it different?
Unlike other vendor-specific networking certifications, CompTIA Network+
prepares candidates to support networks on any platform. It provides the
foundation you need to work on networks anywhere.
CompTIA Network+ is the only certification that covers the specific skills that
network engineers need. Other certifications are so broad, they don’t cover
the hands-on skills and precise knowledge needed to in today’s networking
environments.
Ensures certified pros can make networks available, get the network from the
ISP and complete the last mile, and get information to the end point to keep
businesses running.
Network+ focuses on connectivity which is important for any path your IT
career takes — security or infrastructure.

9. IT networking employers & industries
56,368 total U.S. IT network job postings during Q1 2021
Employers with the Most IT Network Job Postings Industries with the Most IT Network Job Ads
Source: Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights, April 2021
Industry %s among ads
with industry cited
(32,268). Professional,
Scientific, & Tech Services
cited in 11,332 ads.
Top employers citing
Network+ in Q1 2021
include Leidos, SAIC,
CACI, General Dynamics,
& Northrup Grumman.

10. Value of IT certification
➢ 28% of all certifications earned in 2020
were in cloud computing — representing
a 164% growth from the year before
➢ 15% of candidates earned network and
wireless certifications

11. CompTIA career pathway

12. CompTIA career pathway
CompTIA certifications align with the skill sets needed to support and manage IT
infrastructure. Enter where appropriate for you. Consider your experience and existing
certifications or course of study.

13. CompTIA Network+ competitive comparison
Certification CompTIA Network+ CCNA
Exam length 1 exam, 90 minutes 1 exam, 90 minutes
Experience level Early career Early career
Exam focus Covers networking technologies across
all vendors & solutions
Covers networking for only Cisco
products & solutions
Recommended prerequisites CompTIA A+ &/or a minimum of 9
months networking experience
recommended
1-3 years experience
Vendor Neutral Yes No
Price $338 $295

14. Network+ N10-008
exam changes

15. CompTIA Network+ N10-008
What’s on the exam?
CompTIA Network+ validates the skills required to implement enterprise-level wired
and wireless network solutions; identify and troubleshoot network performance issues;
and harden networks against threats to mitigate security vulnerabilities.
The major areas of emphasis include:
➢ IP addressing and connecting networks
➢ Wireless standards and technologies
➢ Network availability
➢ Securing and hardening networks
➢ Troubleshooting

16. 4 updates to the Network+ exam domains
Network architecture appears in the exam for the first time, including software-
defined networking. This ensures that candidates understand network integrations
and the cutting-edge technologies being used in deployments.
Emerging wireless standards and technologies are covered to allow businesses
flexibility and maximal security when deploying networks.
Because constant access to both internal networks and SaaS applications drives
productivity, network performance monitoring and high availability are covered as
separate objectives.
Network security has been streamlined to focus on the critical aspects of hardening
networks against malicious attacks and the secure execution of network
deployments to protect against unintended data breaches.

17. Exam domains: What's new?
Domain %of the exam
1.0 Networking fundamentals 24%
2.0 Network implementations 19%
3.0 Network operations 16%
4.0 Network security 19%
5.0 Network troubleshooting 22%
Total 100%
Exam objectives (domains)
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination and the extent to
which they are represented.

18. 1.0 Networking fundamentals
N10-
008
New objectives N10-
007
Old objectives Comments Mapping
1.1 Compare and contrast the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) model layers and
encapsulation concepts.
1.2 Explain devices, applications, protocols and
services at their appropriate OSI layers.
Data encapsulation added to N10-008 Content added
1.2 Explain the characteristics of network
topologies and network types.
1.5 Compare and contrast the characteristics of
network topologies, types and technologies.
IoT technologies moved Content moved
1.3 Summarize the types of cables and
connectors and explain which is the
appropriate type for a solution.
2.1 Given a scenario, deploy the appropriate
cabling solution.
To better address professional specialization and
appropriate job roles, cable management and
implementations are no longer evaluated at a hands-on
cognitive level
Cognitive level
change
1.4 Given a scenario, configure a subnet and
use appropriate IP addressing schemes.
1.4 Given a scenario, configure the appropriate
IP addressing components.
Updated to include additional content related to IPv6
addressing.
Updated
content
1.5 Explain common ports and protocols, their
application and encrypted alternatives.
1.1 Explain the purposes and uses of ports and
protocols.
No major changes
1.6 Explain the use and purpose of network
services.
1.8 Explain the functions of network services. No major changes
1.7 Explain basic corporate and datacenter
network architecture.
n/a New content that covers the growing impact of datacenters
and enterprise use cases for networking professionals,
including SDN.
New content
1.8 Summarize cloud concepts and
connectivity options.
1.7 Summarize cloud concepts and their
purposes.
Expanded to include deployment models and infrastructure
as code.
Content added

19. 2.0 Network implementations
N10-
008
New objectives N10-
007
Old objectives Comments Mapping
2.1 Compare and contrast various devices,
their features, and their appropriate
placement on the network.
2.2 Given a scenario, determine the appropriate
placement of networking devices on a
network and install/configure them.
Updated to include feature sets and address IoT, IPS, and
IDS content within a single objective.
Content added
2.3 Explain the purposes and use cases for
advanced networking devices.
2.2 Compare and contrast routing technologies
and bandwidth management concepts.
1.3 Explain the concepts and characteristics of
routing and switching.
Routing and bandwidth is covered in a single objective to
ensure greater visibility to the concepts.
2.3 Given a scenario, configure and deploy
common Ethernet switching features.
1.3 Explain the concepts and characteristics of
routing and switching.
Switching is covered in its own objective and now appears at
a hands-on technical level to ensure mastery of
deployments and implementations.
Cognitive level
change
2.4 Given a scenario, install and configure the
appropriate wireless standards and
technologies.
1.6 Given a scenario, implement the
appropriate wireless technologies and
configurations.
No major changes
4.3 Given a scenario, secure a basic wireless
network.

20. 3.0 Network operations
N10-
008
New objectives N10-
007
Old objectives Comments Mapping
3.1 Given a scenario, use the appropriate
statistics and sensors to ensure network
availability.
3.3 Explain common scanning, monitoring and
patching processes and summarize their
expected outputs.
Network performance and availability has been highlighted
in this objective, with an emphasis on monitoring. The
cognitive level is now at a hands-on technical level to better
approximate the job role.
Cognitive level
change
3.2 Explain the purpose of organizational
documents and policies.
3.1 Given a scenario, use appropriate
documentation and diagrams to manage the
network.
Documentation updated to reflect the changing nature of
network administration within enterprise organizations,
especially regarding business directives. The cognitive level
is lower to reflect changes in the job role.
Cognitive level
change
3.5 Identify policies and best practices. This content area has been grouped under organizational
documentation or removed from the exam.
Content
changed
3.3 Explain high availability and disaster
recovery concepts and summarize which is
the best solution.
3.2 Compare and contrast business continuity
and disaster recovery concepts.
Content has been expanded to increase emphasis on
redundancy and high availability.
Updated
content

21. 4.0 Network security
N10-
008
New objectives N10-
007
Old objectives Comments Mapping
4.1 Explain common security concepts. 4.2 Explain authentication and access controls. Additional defensive security and risk management
concepts added.
Updated
content
4.2 Compare and contrast common types of
attacks.
4.4 Summarize common networking attacks. Attacks have been organized to differentiate between social
engineering and technology-based attacks.
Updated
content
4.3 Given a scenario, apply network hardening
techniques.
4.5 Given a scenario, implement network device
hardening.
Updated with additional wireless security measures and IoT
access considerations.
Content added
4.4 Compare and contrast remote access
methods
and security implications.
3.4 Given a scenario, use remote access
methods.
The new objective reflects a security-first approach to the
content while updating the cognitive level to better reflect
the knowledge required in the job role.
Updated
content
4.5 Explain the importance of physical security. 4.1 Summarize the purposes of physical security
devices.
Updated to include the importance of data security. Updated
content

22. 5.0 Network troubleshooting
N10-
008
New objectives N10-
007
Old objectives Comments Mapping
5.1 Explain the network troubleshooting
methodology.
5.1 Explain the network troubleshooting
methodology.
No major changes
5.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common
cable connectivity
issues and select the appropriate tools.
5.2 Given a scenario, use the appropriate tool. Content has been refined to more closely examine common
connectivity issues due to improper or malfunctioning
cables/ cabling.
Content
changed
5.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common
wired
connectivity and performance issues.
Content area included in 5.2 or distributed as appropriate in
operational technologies.
Content moved
5.3 Given a scenario, use the appropriate
network
software tools and commands.
5.2 Given a scenario, use the appropriate tool. Objective updated to contain only software tools; hardware
troubleshooting mostly moved to objective 5.2
Content moved
5.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common
wireless connectivity issues.
5.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common
wired
connectivity and performance issues.
Reorganized to include specific problems that result in
wireless connectivity issues.
Updated
content
5.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot general
networking issues.
5.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common
network service issues.
Objective broadened to include both issues and
considerations.
Content added

23. CompTIA training resources

24. Get certified with Infosec Skills
Train for your CompTIA certification with Infosec Skills:
Infosec Skills subscription:
➢ 130+ role-based learning paths (e.g., ITF+, A+, Network+,
Security+, CySA+ PenTest+, CASP+)
➢ 100s of hands-on labs in cloud-hosted cyber ranges
➢ Custom certification practice exams and skill assessments
Infosec Skills live boot camp:
➢ Live, instructor-led training (in-person or live online)
➢ Certification exam voucher
➢ 90 day extended access to recordings of daily lessons, plus
all materials in Infosec Skills
➢ Exam Pass Guarantee
infosecinstitute.com/skills

25. Questions?

26. About us
Infosec believes knowledge is power when fighting
cybercrime. We help IT and security professionals advance
their careers with skills development and certifications
while empowering all employees with security awareness
and privacy training to stay cyber-safe at work and home.
www.infosecinstitute.com