Hey guys, I am looking for advise on how to structure my cert path to get to the level of systems architect (or in other words, someone who can design a secure network/domain/business). I can see myself in the future opening an security/network/it consulting business or work as freelancer.
A little about myself, 23 years old, 5 years of experience in IT (2 as help desk and 3 as information security and systems administrator). Comptia security plus and OSCP certified. CCNA R/S + security level of knoledge (but I didnt do the certs), very good linux and windows skills, automation scripting (python, bash, batch, powershell and more), virtualization, storage, backups... an all around IT guy.
As I said I am looking to take my career forward, so I am looking for an advise on how to plan my certs path.
Keep in mind I do not have 4 years of real world experience - so I cant go for full CISSP as for know. In about a year i could try CISSP.
I planned something like this:
1. CCNA R/S (should not be that hard as I probably know 70% of the cert allready)
2. CCNA Security or CCDA (what you guys think? what should i go for?)
3. CISSP (I would have 4 years by now).
4. CCNP Security or CCDP (depens on second cert).
5. OSCE just for fun
5. maybe try CCIE or CCDE? or that an overkill?
I think that someone that holds, CISSP, OSCP, OSCE, CCNP Security/CCDE is pretty much in god mode where it comes to designing secure networks and domains
Keep in mind that I planned to commit to Computer science degree in the open uni, the certs path are the alternative as I do not think that the degree would give me what I am looking for. So the 4 years that I planned to spend on the degree could be replaced with the certs.
What you guys think?
Thank you for your time.
