Donald Korinchak, MBA, PMP, CISSP, SecurityX, ITILv3

Donald Korinchak is a Cybersecurity Professional in the Washington DC area. Donald holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business. Donald is considered a thought leader in business, leadership, and cybersecurity issues.
Cheapest Cybersecurity Certifications in 2026 (Verified Prices)

Cheapest Cybersecurity Certifications in 2026 (Verified Prices)

The cheapest cybersecurity certifications in 2026: U.S. exam prices checked Oct 8, 2026, renewal and annual fees, 3-year costs and which to pick.
Security+ vs CySA+ (2026): Which CompTIA Cert to Take

Security+ vs CySA+ (2026): Which CompTIA Cert to Take

Security+ vs CySA+ in 2026: SY0-701 vs CS0-004 compared, difficulty, $439 exam cost, renewal, DoD 8140 work roles, jobs and which to take first.
DoD 8140 Approved Certifications (2026): Roles and Levels

DoD 8140 Approved Certifications (2026): Roles and Levels

DoD 8140 approved certifications for 2026: how DCWF work roles and levels replaced 8570 IAT/IAM, which certs qualify where in Matrix V2.1, and contractor rules.
Who Should Pay for GSEC? A 2026 Guide to the GIAC Exam

Who Should Pay for GSEC? A 2026 Guide to the GIAC Exam

GIAC GSEC in 2026: 106 questions in 4 hours, 72% to pass, CyberLive labs, $999 per attempt, SEC401 at $8,780, and a 10-week self-study plan.
CISA in 2026: Why the Exam Wants the Auditor’s Answer

CISA in 2026: Why the Exam Wants the Auditor’s Answer

ISACA CISA in 2026: 150 questions in 4 hours, 450 to pass, $575/$760 fees, the five-year experience rule, CPE changes from January 2027 and a 12-week plan.
SC-200 in 2026: Learn KQL First, Then Book the Exam

SC-200 in 2026: Learn KQL First, Then Book the Exam

Microsoft SC-200 in 2026: 100 minutes, 700 to pass, $165 with free yearly renewal, the October 21 update, why KQL comes first and an 8-week study plan.
AWS Security Specialty in 2026: Why IAM Decides SCS-C03

AWS Security Specialty in 2026: Why IAM Decides SCS-C03

AWS Certified Security – Specialty is now SCS-C03: 65 questions in 170 minutes, 750 to pass, US$300, what moved from SCS-C02 and a 10-week study plan.
Google Cybersecurity Certificate: Can It Get You Hired?

Google Cybersecurity Certificate: Can It Get You Hired?

Google's Cybersecurity Certificate is a set of Coursera courses, not an exam. What it teaches, what it costs, where learners stall and how Security+ helps.
Is CompTIA A+ Worth It in 2026? Cost, Exams, 10-Week Plan

Is CompTIA A+ Worth It in 2026? Cost, Exams, 10-Week Plan

CompTIA A+ in 2026: two exams, 220-1201 and 220-1202, $274 each, who can skip A+ for a security career, where people lose points and a 10-week plan.
How to Pass OSCP: Why Active Directory Decides Your Score

How to Pass OSCP: Why Active Directory Decides Your Score

OffSec OSCP: the 24-hour proctored exam, 70 of 100 points to pass, why the AD set decides it, the $1,749 bundle, OSCP+ renewal and a 16-week plan.
SecurityX (CASP+) vs CISSP: Who CAS-005 Is Built For

SecurityX (CASP+) vs CISSP: Who CAS-005 Is Built For

CompTIA SecurityX CAS-005 (formerly CASP+): up to 90 questions in 165 minutes, pass/fail scoring, the $544 fee, and why experienced engineers still fail.
CCSP for CISSP Holders: The Cloud Cert Shortcut in 2026

CCSP for CISSP Holders: The Cloud Cert Shortcut in 2026

ISC2 CCSP in 2026: 100-150 questions in 3 hours, 700 to pass, $599 exam and $135 AMF, the August 2026 outline with AI/ML topics, and the CISSP shortcut.
CISM and the Technical-Person Trap: What ISACA Tests

CISM and the Technical-Person Trap: What ISACA Tests

CISM in 2026: 150 questions in 4 hours, 450 to pass, $575/$760 fees, the five-year rule, the November 2026 outline and why engineers pick wrong answers.