LordQarlyn wrote: » Welcome to TE. First, it would depend on where you are now and what you are doing. A Security+ is not only a good start, it's essential for DoD IT jobs including contractor jobs. Even Information Assurance jobs require at least one "Computer Education" certification, most of them on the list provided to me are OS certs, Linux or Microsoft Server. If you are or want to be a systems administrator, I would look into getting Microsoft certs, starting with MCSA, not sure if you can still get 2008, but for sure 2012. If you are or want to be a network administrator, then the Cisco path is better, either CCENT followed by the CCNA, or. if you have Cisco experience, you can attempt the CCNA in one exam. If you think you want to enter the field of information security - which is a good field, then CASP or CEH are good at your current experience level, CISSP and CISA require documented experience as an IT professional in their respective domains, unless you are certain you can provide that (and ISC2 of CISSP I heard is lenient in considering military experience - after all the military's 'product' IS security). Even so, I recommend you still get some vendor specific certs because most starting off in information security will either be locking down Windows or Linux domains, or, securing network equipment such as switches or routers. Once you get your foot in a door, you can focus your professional development in IS specific training, such as penetration, audits, etc. Thank you for your service, and just persist, you will do well. Sorry for the ramble lol.
