CompTIA DataSys+

Certification Exam
Objectives
EXAM NUMBER: DS0-001
About the Exam
The CompTIA DataSys+ certification exam will certify the successful candidate has the knowledge and
skills required to deploy, manage, and maintain databases, including employing the fundamentals of
scripting and programming in a database environment while using security and business continuity best
practices.

EXAM DEVELOPMENT
CompTIA exams result from subject matter expert workshops and industry-wide survey results
regarding the skills and knowledge required of an IT professional.

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PLEASE NOTE
The lists of examples provided in bulleted format are not exhaustive lists. Other examples of
technologies, processes, or tasks pertaining to each objective may also be included on the exam,
although not listed or covered in this objectives document. CompTIA is constantly reviewing the
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exam objectives. Please know that all related exam preparation materials will still be valid.

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

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TEST DETAILS
Required exam DS0-001
Number of questions Maximum of 90
Types of questions Multiple-choice and performance-based
Length of test 90 minutes
Recommended experience 2–3 years of hands-on experience
as a database administrator

EXAM OBJECTIVES (DOMAINS)

The table below lists the domains measured by this examination
and the extent to which they are represented.

DOMAIN PERCENTAGE OF EXAMINATION

1.0 Database Fundamentals 24%

2.0 Database Deployment 16%
3.0 Database Management and Maintenance 25%
4.0 Data and Database Security 23%
5.0 Business Continuity 12%

Total 100%

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

Copyright © 2022 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved.
 1.0 Database Fundamentals
1.1 Compare and contrast database structure types.
• Relational vs. non-relational - Column-oriented databases - Amazon DynamoDB
databases - Graph databases - Cosmos
• Linear vs. non-linear format • Tools
• NoSQL types - Cassandra
- Document databases - MongoDB
- Key-value stores - Neo4j

1.2 Given a scenario, develop, modify, and run SQL code.

• Data definition language (DDL) • American National Standards
• Data manipulation language Institute (ANSI) Structured Query
(DML) Language (SQL)
• Set-based logic • Programming with SQL
• Transaction control languages - Triggers
(TCLs) - Stored procedures
• Atomicity, consistency, isolation, - Functions
durability (ACID) principles - Views

1.3 Compare and contrast scripting methods and scripting

environments.
• Script purpose and runtime location
- Server side
- Client side
• Languages
- PowerShell
- Python
• Command-line scripting
- Linux
- Windows

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

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 1.0 | Database Fundamentals

1.4 Explain the impact of programming on database operations.

• Object-relational mapping (ORM)
- Hibernate
- Entity Framework
- Ebean
• Process to gauge impact
- Review SQL code generated by
ORM
- Confirm validity of code
- Determine impact to database
server
- Provide solutions/alternate
approach, as needed

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

Copyright © 2022 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved.
 2.0 Database Deployment
2.1 Compare and contrast aspects of database planning and design.
• Requirements gathering o
Gap analysis o
Physical
- Number of users - Cloud-based vs. on-premises o
View
- Storage capacity - Types of cloud-hosted - Data sources
o
Size environments: - System specifications
o
Speed o
Platform as a service (PaaS) • Design documentation
o
Type o
Software as a service (SaaS) - Data dictionary
- Database objectives o
Infrastructure as a service - Entity relationships
o
Use cases/purposes (IaaS) - Data cardinality
• Database architecture factors - Database schema - System requirements
- Inventory of needed assets o
Logical documentation

2.2 Explain database implementation, testing, and deployment

phases.
• Acquisition of assets - Schema meets original requirements
• Phases of deployment - Syntax errors
- Installation and configuration - Stress testing
o
Database prerequisites o
Stored procedures stress test
o
Provisioning o
Application stress test
o
Upgrading - Notification triggers and alerts
o
Modifying - Version control testing
o
Importing - Regression testing
• Database connectivity - Negative testing
- Database server location • Validate
- Networking concepts - Index analysis
o
Domain name service (DNS) - Data mapping
o
Client/server architecture - Data values
° Firewall and perimeter network considerations - Queries
° Static and dynamic internet protocol (IP) - Referential integrity/integrity validation
addressing - Scalability validation
o
Ports/protocols
• Testing
- Database quality check (columns, tables, fields)
- Code execution

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

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 3.0 Database Management and
Maintenance
3.1 Explain the purpose of monitoring and reporting for database
management and performance.
• System alerts/notifications o
Operating system (OS) • Deadlock monitoring
- Growth in size/storage limits performance • Connections and sessions
- Daily usage - Baseline configuration/trending - Concurrent connections
- Throughput - Monitoring job completion/ - Failed/attempted connections
- Resource utilization failure
o
Central processing unit - Replication
(CPU) usage - Database backup alerts
o
Memory • Transaction log files
o
Disk space • System log files

3.2 Explain common database maintenance processes.

• Query optimization • Load balancing
• Index optimization • Change management
• Patch management - Release schedules
- Updates - Capacity planning
- Security and maintenance patches - Upgrades
• Database integrity checks - Vulnerability remediation
- Table locking techniques - Change approval
• Data corruption checks - Communication
• Periodic review of audit logs - Database refresh
• Performance tuning
- Transaction volumes

3.3 Given a scenario, produce documentation and use relevant tools.

• Data dictionaries • Tools
• Entity relationship diagram (ERD) - Unified modeling language (UML) editors
• Maintenance documentation - Word processors
• Standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation - Spreadsheet tools
- Organizational compliance documentation
- Third-party compliance documentation

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

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 3.0 | Database Management and Maintenance

3.4 Given a scenario, implement data management tasks.

• Data management
- Modify data
- Define data
- Append columns
- Create new data sets
- Views/materialized views
- Index creation
- Create data tables
- Create data relationships
• Data redundancy
• Data sharing

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

Copyright © 2022 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved.
 4.0 Data and Database Security
4.1 Explain data security concepts.
• Encryption • Data security audit
- Data in transit - Expired accounts
o
Client-side encryption - Connection requests
o
In-transit encryption • Code auditing
o
Server-side encryption - SQL code
- Data at rest - Credential storage checks
• Data masking
- Data discovery
• Data destruction techniques

4.2 Explain the purpose of governance and regulatory compliance.

• Data loss prevention
• Data retention policies
• Data classification
- Personally identifiable information (PII)/personal
health information (PHI)
- Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI
DSS)
• Global regulations
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Regional regulations

4.3 Given a scenario, implement policies and best practices related

to authentication and authorization.
• Access controls
- Rights and privileges
- Least privilege
• Password policies
• Service accounts
• Identity and access management

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

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 4.0 | Data and Database Security

4.4 Explain the purpose of database infrastructure security.

• Physical
- Access control
o
Biometrics
- Surveillance
- Fire suppression
- Cooling system
• Logical
- Firewall
- Perimeter network
- Port security

4.5 Describe types of attacks and their effects on data systems.

• SQL injection
• Denial of service (DoS) attacks
• On-path attacks
• Brute-force attacks
• Phishing
• Malware
- Ransomware

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

Copyright © 2022 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved.
 5.0 Business Continuity
5.1 Explain the importance of disaster recovery and relevant
techniques.
• Disaster recovery (DR) planning High availability
o

- DR documentation Mirroring
o

o
Manuals • DR plan testing
o
System security plan o
Recovery point objective (RPO)
o
Continuity of operations plan o
Recovery time objective (RTO)
o
Build documentation • Transition/failback to normal operations
- DR techniques
o
Replication
o
Log shipping

5.2 Explain backup and restore best practices and processes.

• Full backup vs. incremental
- Differential
• Database dumping
• Schedule and automate backups
• Test backups
• Validate backup hash
• Storage location
- On-site vs. off-site
• Retention policy
- Purge vs. archive cycles

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

Copyright © 2022 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved.
CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Acronym List
The following is a list of acronyms that appears on the CompTIA
DataSys+ DS0-001 exam. Candidates are encouraged to review
the complete list and attain a working knowledge of all listed acronyms
as part of a comprehensive exam preparation program.

Acronym Spelled Out Acronym Spelled Out

ACID Atomicity Consistency Isolation and PHI Personal Health Information
Durability PHP Hypertext Preprocessor
ANSI American National Standards Institute PII Personally Identifiable Information
CPU Central Processing Unit RAM Random Access Memory
CRUD Create Read Update Delete REST Representational Transfer State
DAS Direct-attached Storage RPO Recovery Point Objective
DB Database RTO Recovery Time Objective
DBaaS Database as a Service SaaS Software as a Service
DBMS Database Management Service SAN Storage Area Network
DCL Data Control Language SOP Standard Operating Procedure
DDL Data Definition Language SQL Structured Query Language
DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol SSD Solid State Drive
DLP Data Loss Prevention SSH Secure Shell
DML Data Manipulation Language TCL Transaction Control Language
DNS Domain Name Service TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
DoS Denial of Service Protocol
DR Disaster Recovery UML Unified Modeling Language
ERD Entity Relationship Diagram VLAN Virtual Local Area Network
FTP File Transfer Protocol VPC Virtual Private Cloud
GDPR General Data Protection Regulation VXLAN Virtural Extensible LAN
IaaS Infrastructure as a Service
IOPS Input/Output Per Second
IP Internet Protocol
LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
MySQL My Structured Query Language
NAS Network-attached Storage
NoSQL Not Only Structured Query Language
ORM Object-relational Mapping
OS Operating System
PaaS Platform as a Service
PCI DSS Payment Card Industry Data Security
Standard

CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001 Certification Exam: Exam Objectives Version 4.0

Copyright © 2022 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved.
CompTIA DataSys+ DS0-001
Hardware and Software List
CompTIA has included this sample list of hardware and software to assist
candidates as they prepare for the DataSys+ DS0-001 certification exam.
This list may also be helpful for training companies that wish to create a
lab component for their training offering. The bulleted lists below each
topic are sample lists and are not exhaustive.
Equipment
• Desktop/laptop

Software
• Free software/SQL environment to run scripts (e.g. MariaDB, DBeaver, SSMS)
• Programming languages to practice connecting to a database (e.g., SQL, Python, PowerShell)
• Text editing software (e.g., Notepad++, Visual Studio code)
• UML modeling tools

Other
• Sample database (e.g., .csv files, Northwind) to practice imports
• Samples of technical (procedural or descriptive) documentation (e.g., data dictionary, ERD)

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