The primary goal of the Get Certified Get Ahead brand is to help people earn certifications so that they can get ahead in their careers and lives.

My name is Darril Gibson.  Years ago, I set a goal for myself. I decided I wanted to become a full time author and write books that help others. Since then, I have authored or coauthored more than 40 books and I am very grateful for the emails I regularly receive from readers sharing their successes after reading one of my books. I created this site as a reference for people that want to get certified and get ahead in their career.  It started from my original CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead study guide for exam SY0-201 and has grown from there. The site now focuses on the three core CompTIA certifications, A+, Network+, and Security+ but also includes information on some other certifications such as (ISC)2 SSCP and CISSP.

If you’re using any of the books that I’ve written or helped others write, I would love to hear from you. I especially enjoy hearing from people that have successfully passed a certification exam after using one of my books. You can send me a message from here.

Darril Gibson Roles

• Author
• CompTIA Partner
• Husband and Friend

My primary role has been as an author. This includes writing and publishing books and blogs. I’m the CEO of YCDA, LLC (short for You Can Do Anything) and manage the Get Certified Get Ahead brand through YCDA, LLC.

YCDA, LLC (short for You Can Do Anything) is proud to be a CompTIA Authorized partner and part of the CompTIA Authorized Partner Program (CAPP). CompTIA considers its Learning Content partners as one of their most important strategic assets and allies. CompTIA is committed to working with partners like YCDA, LLC to help market the highest-quality learning products to IT professionals worldwide. The CompTIA Authorized Partner Program recognizes YCDA, LLC as a highly valued CompTIA business partner.

I’m grateful to be sharing my life with my wife, Nimfa, for more than 23 years. I count her as my most treasured friend and am happy that I have so many other good friends in my life.

Darril Gibson Certifications

I hold several certifications listed below.

CompTIA Certifications

• A+
• Network+
• Security+
• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)

You can view my CompTIA transcript here.

(ISC)2 Certification

• CISSP
• SSCP

The (ISC)2 certifications can be validated here for Darril Gibson (certification number 348210)

ITIL Certification

• ITIL Foundations v 3.0

Microsoft Certifications

To view my full Microsoft transcript look here with the following codes:Transcript ID 660310 Access Code: DarrilGibson

• MCT since 1999

Network and Operating System certifications

• MCITP (Windows 7 Enterprise Desktop Administrator, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician)
• MCITP (Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator, Server Administrator)
• MCITP (Windows Vista Enterprise Support Technician, Consumer Support Technician)
• MCTS (Windows 7, Configuration)
• MCTS (Windows Vista, Configuration)
• MCTS (Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration, Applications Infrastructure, Network Infrastructure)
• MCSE (Security, Windows Server NT 4.0, 2000, 2003)
• MCSA (Security, Messaging, Windows Server 2000, 2003)
• MCSA Messaging (Windows Server 2000, 2003)
• MCTS Active Directory (Windows Server 2008)
• MCTS Network Infrastructure (Windows Server 2008)
• MCTS Applications Infrastructure (Window Server 2008)
• MCDST (Windows XP)

Database certifications

• MCDBA (SQL Server 2000)
• MCTS (SQL Server 2005)
• MCTS (SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance)
• MCITP (Database Administrator)
• MCITP (Database Developer)

Developer Certifications

• MCSD (Visual Studio 6.0, Microsoft .NET)