Network+ --> Sec+ ---> CCNA? Or skip Sec+?

Hey guys! Just looking for a bit of career advise here.

I've been studying for the Network+ exam for about two months now. I finished Mike Meyers All In One exam guide and have watched all of Professor Messor's videos as well as a few other sources here and there. I am fully prepared to take the exam and am confident I will pass. I have done great on the practice exam that came with the Mike Meyers book and any other practice exam online including this site. Unfortunately, I just got a job working at the Facebook office in downtown Austin, TX and have to save every penny I have to find a new place to live and prepare for a bit of a lifestyle change.

I do not plan on taking the actual exam until probably sometime mid June. Until then I am trying to figure out what I should be studying for next.

My ultimate realistic dream job as of now would have to be something InfoSec related, preferably working as a Pen Tester, so would it make sense to go ahead and start studying for the Sec+ exam now to learn the basics of security before taking an advanced cert? Or would it make more sense to follow up with the CCENT/CCNA while retaining as much information as possible from the Network+ and learning the more advanced side of networking? I already have a Sec+ All In One exam guide by Mike Meyers as well as the official cert guide by Cisco for the CCENT/CCNA cert. So I do have two great sources to get me started.

Just looking for opinions is all! Thanks!

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Comments

dave330i

Skip the N+ unless job requires it.

jibbajabba

Anyone who goes for higher certifications like Cisco should skip Comptia. Waste of time and money.

Same with Linux, if you shoot for the RHCE, no point in going for the Linux+

As Dave says, do it only if a job you applied for requires it.

Insomniaa

dave330i wrote: »

Skip the N+ unless job requires it.

jibbajabba wrote: »

Anyone who goes for higher certifications like Cisco should skip Comptia. Waste of time and money.

Same with Linux, if you shoot for the RHCE, no point in going for the Linux+

As Dave says, do it only if a job you applied for requires it.

Thank you guys. I just figured the Net+ would be a start for me considering a few months ago I had very little actual IT knowledge. So then should I skip the Sec+ cert if I eventually plan on going for the CISSP then?

DoubleNNs

CISSP requires 5 years of experience before you can even get the cert.

But I do think you should start studying for the CCENT/CCNA now and plan to take the CCENT this June instead of the Net+. After you finish the CCNA, take a step back and reevaluate where to go from there, whether it's Sec+, CCNA: Security, or something else all together.

Insomniaa

DoubleNNs wrote: »

CISSP requires 5 years of experience before you can even get the cert.

But I do think you should start studying for the CCENT/CCNA now and plan to take the CCENT this June instead of the Net+. After you finish the CCNA, take a step back and reevaluate where to go from there, whether it's Sec+, CCNA: Security, or something else all together.

Perfect. I'll go ahead and start learning some CCNA info! I did not know until just now about the CISSP requirements. It'll be a while before I get to that point.

Thanks guys.

aspiringsoul

The CompTIA material is definitely worth studying, but I would not recommend taking the exams without reimbursement or unless it is required by your employer.

I would review the CompTIA material, then move onto the Cisco AND/OR Microsoft exams. Much better ROI with the vendor exams.

The Security+ would be relevant for Government jobs though. Department of Defense CE Requirements

markulous

Since you already have a job, I'd just go straight for your CCENT then CCNA. You said yourself you have to save every penny and getting the N+ isn't going to do much since you're employed.