Books vs Training Courses

Higgsx

Hi all.
I'm new to this forum and it seems very good,intended to stay here for long time.

I want to learn about security and selected one training course: eCPPT, and want to pay for it.
BUT, I love reading books, intended to read 5-6 books about
1) network+
2) security+
3) hacking the art of exploitation(books)
and so on...

What is your opinion: what is best and fast way to learn material? through training or by just reading books?
Is it worth to take training course?

P.S I haven't good income to pay for course

danny069

Everyone learns differently. For me, there is nothing a training course can teach me that's not in a book which I can learn myself.

earweed

I enjoy self learning and the closest I find I need to a course may be a syllabus and/or study guide (suggested reading list will usually do). I am in a leadership role at the Local American Legion post and needed to have someone extra be Servsafe manager certified to always have one present for our restaurant (no regular paid manager) so I got copy of the book and the company that proctored the online test sent a study guide and diagnostic test. I am now servsafe manager certified (has to do with health department requirements).

636-555-3226

Prefer self-paced study through books. I see the value in in-person classes due to having the ability to interact and directly ask questions to the teacher, but in my experience most people don't actually interact or ask that many questions of the teacher so it doesn't really matter.

DoubleNNs

I like to blitz thru video series first when getting acquainted w/ a new topic. Then I like to jump into a more detailed book to really learn the subject. I don't usually like to take formal courses and prefer to be self-paced, when I can. I usually only look to courses when I'm in a rut of procrastination/lack-of-motivation and usually even tho it's just a MOOC course.

Everyone learns differently tho.

bigdogz

The training courses would run 2k - 3k for Network+ and Security+. Just using the courses as training material is not the best idea because in 5 days you still have to familiarize yourself with the material. Most study for 2-3 months and take the exam.
You may also want to take the Sec+ and Net+ exams first as they will help you build your fundamental knowledge of learning.

When it comes specifically to the eCPPT you may want to run searches for jobs requesting that certification. You may not get your ROI. Most have gone for the CEH even though the EC Council organization is not the best.
When studying for the CEH, you can lab it up and it will help you with the tools. It is been said that books are coming out that will cover the new exam.

Good Luck!!!

Higgsx

Wow, 4 replies in a short amount of time, I didn't expected that, thank you all so much.
I decided to read books and learn from them.

What books do you recommend me guys?

Here is a list I did today:
1) CompTIA Network+ (reading... haven't finished yet)
2) CompTIA Security+
3) Hacking The art of Exploitation
4) Penetration Testing: A Hands-On introduction
5) The Web Application Hackers-handbook
6) Modern x86 assembly language programming
7) Windows Internals part 1
Practical Malware Analysis

Is it a good path? what is your opinion

thaiguy314

I think it depends on the topic. Most security stuff is conceptual and just a matter of understanding the material and where it fits in the big picture. I've been to a Security+ course and I didn't like it because it was either too slow or too fast. I just ended up sitting there reading out of the instructional material they gave us in the end.

But for tests like ccna or CEH that requires hand-on and working knowledge on equipment or tools, I prefer a training course especially since I have relatively little experience with that and could get a better baseline through an instructor walking me through equipment already set up.

tedjames

Regarding path, you may decide, after completing a book/course or two, that you want to go in a slightly different direction. That's what's happening to me. I decided not to shoot for a particular goal but instead see where it takes me. Or you may be one of those lucky few who knows exactly where he wants to end up and can stay focused. Good luck, either way!

By the way, there are plenty of free or low cost resources out there, so don't feel you need to buy a $3000 class. Check out the excellent free training at www.cybrary.it

Dakinggamer87

When I study for any certification I usually use multiple resources such as books, videos, and labs if needed. My study process usually consists of watching videos in between reading or I go through a video series first to give me a great overview or a place to start. Afterwards, I go and read the book and prepare with study questions, etc..

chrisone

Both sources of training are always the best route if you can afford it. For the majority of my certs I used books, CBT, and my own personal labs. Most technical certs you will need hands on. This is why many people go with a training course be it either class room, online self paced, or online bootcamp (live).

advanex1

I struggle with books, they rarely hold my attention and I have to read standing up or snacking so that I can stay awake. To make up for that I go back and define all the main terms within the book. If I really need clarification on something I will go back and read the short portion of it. I prefer videos and hands on.

OctalDump

I find that training courses work well for me since you are forced to dedicate the time and focus on learning. Self study through books and labbing are too easy to put off until tomorrow, more specifically it can be easy to read a book and then not do the lab work, or start a lab and get distracted by some unrelated issue.

However, self study is much, much, much cheaper and if you already have the experience can be less painful than doing a class where the instruction is aimed at less experienced people. So I tend to only do training courses when they are cheap (or free) or required or have some other benefit.

But in the broad context of professional development, you take a mix. Some self study - reading, online videos, online selfpaced courses, labbing etc - and some short training courses - live online or in class - and some formal studies (community college/polytechnic etc, university).

From what you say about your circumstances, I think the books you have listed are good things to read, but that really needs to be mixed up with hands on. So set up a virtual lab for yourself with some exploitable boxes, set up a honey pot to run scans against, apply what you read. All this introductory stuff has loads of resources, so is easier to learn. Find some online forums, lists, twitters etc for your interests and ask questions (but not easy stuff solved with 5s of google, that will just annoy people).

The good thing is that once you have the basics down, and set of resources, you will also have a better idea of where you want to go and what might be good ways to get there. That means that any money you do spend, you will be able to better focus.

varelg

Books. I struggle to take notes and/or follow along even with videos. Books are forgiving, you can always go back and review until it sticks. Ideally, you'd have the instructor or the author of the book on some sort of instant communication like IM or IRc or forum to ask questions as you review.

Params7

I really prefer books, but like others have said there has to be an effort on self discipline to keep constant with them. With Training Courses, you pay a lot more money, and forced by the external environment to focus, learn, lab, etc plus there's the social factor for those who enjoy meeting other people. Both have their pros and cons.

JoJoCal19

As some others have said, I prefer videos as a general review or intro, and then a book for concentrated studying. I have ADD so I find that when watching videos it's much easier for the mind to wander than when concentrating on a book.