Certification goals for 2016

PJ_Sneakers

My goal this year is to finally get a degree. CEH & CHFI because my employer will pay for it. Maybe ITIL? Cram for Storage+ before it retires? So many options.

barberj66

I didn't do any exams this year at all changed jobs in March so had a new company and systems to get to grips with so spent most the time making sure I know as much as possible about the day to day running.

I have however just finished the Stanley CC Vmware course so with some labbing on my own kit I'm hoping to complete the VCP-DCV early in 2016

So My goals for 2016 will hopefully be

Priority:
VCP-DCV
MCSA 2012

Time permitting:
CCNA R/S = took the courses few years ago but never bothered with the certification

Tr1x5Ta

A+, n+ & s+
ceh
sscp

Luie

Maybe having this written out and publicly visible will encourage me a bit.

Currently working on the Juniper DC Design Specialist, JNCDS-DC, and plan on testing for that before the end of the year. But that will be my first priority if the new year happens first.

Then, what else I need/want to do in 2016:
- JNCIS-SEC
- New Juniper design certs as they are introduced
- CCNP R/S, although I no longer work with Cisco equipment
- Possibly introductory level VMWare class and cert

And the big one that is intimidating to even put into writing - first attempt at the JNCIE-ENT.

Mow

VCP-DCV 5.5
Finish CCNP R&S
Maybe Linux+ and/or some AWS certs, not sure yet.

TechGromit

WOW, after reading some people's goals, can't help to wonder how realistic they are. Some list five or more new certifications in a year, seems like an unobtainable goal to me. Maybe I'm just lazy.

My goals are to get my CCENT and CCNA certifications. I already took a global knowledge course for each of them, just have to get off my lazy butt and get serious about studying for them.

Then I'd like to take Sans SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, Exploits and Incident Handling training in 2016 and obtain GCIH.

matai

CEH, OSCP, PMP, MBA-IT Management, GPEN

Krusader

Hopefully I pass my 70-412 on the 19th

Starting a new job in 2016 so I will casually learning Linux and Python for fun.
May renew my VCP at the end of the year

NetworkNewb

TechGromit wrote: »

WOW, after reading some people's goals, can't help to wonder how realistic they are. Some list five or more new certifications in a year, seems like an unobtainable goal to me. Maybe I'm just lazy.

Agree, some people kind of just put their "wish list" though. I put 2 (and maybe a 3rd if I get into a work-study program). I would be plenty happy getting my 2 certs! (CCNA, CISSP)

Anonymouse

Every year I make a goal for a new cert and get lazy. New job is great and they absolutely need me to get Security+ and some OS certifications so I pretty much have no choice now if I want to keep my job.

joeswfc

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Agree, some people kind of just put their "wish list" though. I put 2 (and maybe a 3rd if I get into a work-study program). I would be plenty happy getting my 2 certs! (CCNA, CISSP)

Definitely some unrealistic people out there, I will be happy if I just get one in 2016 (MCSE Messaging).
But seeing some people wanting to pass all of the server and networking certs in the same year makes me laugh!

Mike7

TechGromit wrote: »

WOW, after reading some people's goals, can't help to wonder how realistic they are. Some list five or more new certifications in a

It depends on the type of certs and whether it is something that you already have hands-on experience in. Infosec certs tends to overlap in terms of domain coverage.

For my case, 2015 is a bumper year of infosec certs starting with letter C.
Certifications obtained include

1. CISSP and CSSLP
2. CISM
3. CASP
4. CEH and CHFI

Credit goes to the motivation I received from TE forums.


Tentative targets for 2016 are certs with C in them.

1. CCSK
2. CCSP
3. eCPPT
4. OSCP
5. MCSA 2012

fuz1on

I passed all my certs in 2015 except for Security+ which I passed 12/23/14 - so it's not unrealistic.

Edit: IMHO, I'd like to add - go hard or go home! There's enough mediocrity in this world already so try to achieve what hasn't been done before - if you dare!

xocity

Completed 2015 Goals
-WGU BS IT
-Certs from WGU courses (a bunch)
-VCP 5.5

2016 Goals
-Finish ICND2 to get CCNA
-MCSA 2012
-Learn Python/Powershell (better)/Scripting and maybe another language.

powerfool

fuz1on wrote: »

I passed all my certs in 2015 except for Security+ which I passed 12/23/14 - so it's not unrealistic.

I would agree and add that it really depends on your level of motivation and existing level of experience.

In 2010, I took a very large number of tests because it was the first time an employer would pay for them and they were relevant to my job... and I was doing a bit of catch up work. Going into 2010, I have MCSE 2000, CCNA, and Network+. My employer required that I get my CISSP and update to MCSE 2003 (and then changed things in the middle of the year to MCITP EA 200. So, I had tons of experience with 2003 and 2008 by that point. I spent the first three months on the job preparing for CISSP and it culminated with a boot camp and exam in May. Once I got that out of the way I busted through the few exams I had to take for MCSE 2003 (I think just 2-3 is all I needed) and then decided to do the Security specialization since I only need to add the two security exams since I had my CISSP already. So, by that point I had taken 5-6 exams and they changed the requirement to MCITP EA 2008 and hinted on me that I might be taking over Exchange work soon, but I was already preparing for networking work because I was doing lots of network analysis and monitoring at the time. So, I did my CCNA Security in preparation for CCSP/CCNP Security, then did my upgrade exams for MCITP EA 2008 (just the upgrade and Win7), then did the one exam I needed for MCITP SA 2008, and then the two Exchange 2003 exams to get my MCSE Messaging on 2000/2008. Rolling into the next year, I did the first three exams for the CCSP/CCNP Security and the CEH by the time I had been with the company for a year. Not too long after that, I finished up the CCSP/CCNP Security (I had tons of experience in Cisco VPNs and PIX/ASA) and did the Exchange 2010 exams. So, I had loads of experience with the topics covered in the exams and plenty of motivation (work requirement... they did let some people go for not getting the required exams, and they paid for it). I did nearly nothing related to certification after that binge until last year when I started studying for MCSE 2012 and Exchange 2013, and then didn't take any exams until this year, where I have done only the Exchange 2013 exams.

I lack significant motivation at this point. My current employer will pay for the exams and provides some study materials, but beyond needing some specific exams for partner status and my development plan, I do not have much desire. I am supposed to do a Lync exam this year, and that is going to push it. I really do need to at least get the MCSE 2012 upgrade done by taking 70-417, but that competes with my Lync studying. And considering that I have loads of billable work and it contributes to my bonus, that is where most of my motivation is right now.

Slowhand

I plan to take all the certs I said I was going to in 2015, that were pushed back from 2014, that were procrastinated on all throughout 2013, and that were hard-set goals in 2012.

In all seriousness, this upcoming year I plan on figuring out ways to make more time for studying. I need to do both certs and some academic book-hopping, so it'll be increasingly important for me to find the time every day, every week, every month, if I'm going to hit any of these long-standing goals. . . let alone new goals on the horizon. Small course-corrections, one step at a time, that's the real goal.

BigMike5

PMP (Jan-Feb 16) then CISSP. If I knock out those and finish a few college classes I'll be happy.

Dakinggamer87

Slowhand wrote: »

I plan to take all the certs I said I was going to in 2015, that were pushed back from 2014, that were procrastinated on all throughout 2013, and that were hard-set goals in 2012.

In all seriousness, this upcoming year I plan on figuring out ways to make more time for studying. I need to do both certs and some academic book-hopping, so it'll be increasingly important for me to find the time every day, every week, every month, if I'm going to hit any of these long-standing goals. . . let alone new goals on the horizon. Small course-corrections, one step at a time, that's the real goal.

One suggestion I thought of to help you meet your goals is looking into some training materials such as CBT Nuggets. I discovered that I learn a lot myself in small 10-20 min sessions at a time during lunch or downtime I have at work compared to hours and hours of just reading books. Key is balancing labs, reading, and video trainings.

Slowhand

The advice is appreciated, Dakinggamer87, but I've been using CBT Nuggets (as well as TrainSignal/PluralSight) videos for my certs since I took my first round of Microsoft exams back in 2006. They're great resources, I'm very fond of them.

Terabyte

Finished in 2015

CCNA Security, ITIL F, Security + (Hopefully complete it next week)

Goals for 2016

CCNP R&S, Wireshark (Possibly) Linux cert unsure atm.

powerfool

How many folks here are working on certs while pursuing college courses (and certs that are part of the curriculum wouldn't count). I have considered doing the PMP in the past... well, I took the exam even (didn't have time to study and it was going to expire). I have my current list of certs, which are always subject to change based on business requirements, but I am thinking of at least pursuing a graduate certificate in project management because it will help me along that path, work is paying, and it gets me easy CPE for my CISSP. I don't know if I will do the PMP, but it could be on the table for maybe 2017, or something. I am starting to make my gameplan for retirement, at this point and I am thinking in ten years, I want to be semi-retired, which would leave me still rather young... but I have tons of years in this for my age and my eldest kids are on the path to be finishing up high school right now. We do what we can and I see a path that looks appealing.

Kinet1c

Complete more of my degree and build out my github account with python/bash. I'm not bothered with certs right now but if I were to go for one in 2016, it'll be the RHCSA.

advanex1

Completed CASP, Server+, and Project+ in the past month as well as finished my Associates. Time to work on these in 2016 while deployed:

1. CCNA - Recert
2. CCDA
3. CCNP

OctalDump

TechGromit wrote: »

WOW, after reading some people's goals, can't help to wonder how realistic they are. Some list five or more new certifications in a year, seems like an unobtainable goal to me. Maybe I'm just lazy.

My goals are to get my CCENT and CCNA certifications. I already took a global knowledge course for each of them, just have to get off my lazy butt and get serious about studying for them.

Then I'd like to take Sans SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, Exploits and Incident Handling training in 2016 and obtain GCIH.

It depends very much on your experience, what certs you are going for, and how much time you are devoting to studying. This year I past 2 cisco exams, 5 MS exams, 4 CompTIA exams, CEH and VCP-DCV. But I had years of MS experience, had already completed a CCNA R+S course, had years of Linux experience, and a few years of studying Info Sec.

This year I had a couple on my list that I probably won't get until early next year (MCSA x2, CASP, CCNA R+S), and a couple more that I've put really on the back burner (RHCE, MCSE, VCAP).

My list for 2016 probably is more a wish list, but wish lists work for me. I'm interested in a lot of stuff And it's one of the nice things looking back, and thinking "I used to dream about knowing about that". Sometimes dreams change, sometimes you still need something to dream for.

At the end of this day, it's you that needs to make the judgement about what works for you, if what you are doing is satisfying. And if someone wants to make a list of 2 certs or 30 certs, it doesn't matter what I or any other random on the internet thinks.

techfiend

The level of certifications matters a lot too. I've obtained an above average amount of certs this year but I worked my butt off while working an average of 30 hours a week. Now that I have most, if not all, the low-mid level certs I plan on getting, next year will be 2-3 upper level certs such as MCSE, CCNP, VCAP while working full time.

It really is what you put into it. I started out really slow, it took me 4 months to study A+, another 2+ months for the Net+. Once I got into cert studying 2 months for CCNA without experience while working part time isn't so much a stretch. Like OctalDump I have experience in Server 2012 and Linux and the study was mostly a refresher, which saved quite a bit of time.

beads

None as I'm having a hard enough time keeping what I have active and the "return on effort" to obtain anything else appears be questionable as far as further employment goes.

- b/eads

Phillies8607

As I am just starting out on my path in networking, I am going for my N+, R&S CCNA, and BCSS (SCTE)

RomBUS

I will be so happy if I get my CCNA this year. Other include starting the Microsoft track for Windows Server 2012 and then perhaps the Windows 10 client exam. I would love to get a virtualization/cloud certification (VMware or AWS) but that is reaching

snowchick7669

Current goals for 2016:

CCENT/CCNA

Server+ (although I can't really justify the price of this exam)

OSCP (Might push this into 2017)

Work on my python scripting

Getting distracted from all of these goals by my hack lab

chrisone

TechGromit wrote: »

WOW, after reading some people's goals, can't help to wonder how realistic they are. Some list five or more new certifications in a year, seems like an unobtainable goal to me. Maybe I'm just lazy.

My goals are to get my CCENT and CCNA certifications. I already took a global knowledge course for each of them, just have to get off my lazy butt and get serious about studying for them.

Then I'd like to take Sans SEC504: Hacker Tools, Techniques, Exploits and Incident Handling training in 2016 and obtain GCIH.

Not trying to stir you up here but its not really ideal to call people out on there goals then state that you haven't completed your's due to your own personal laziness.

Its definitely possible to complete 3-4 certs in a year if you are focused and dedicated. Many people have been studying for a cert in late 2015 that they listed for 2016 goals, so take that into account. For instance I have been studying for the CISSP and Intel Security SIEM certifications since November. I plan on taking both in Feb. So that is two certs knocked out early in 2016. Leaves me with 10 months to knock out 2 more certs. I have no excuse other than being a lazy bum not to knock out 2 more certs on my list within 10 months.

I hope you complete your certs early in 2016 as well since you have been studying for them since 2015. You should have 2 more certs on your plate for 2016. Good luck!