SSCP and CISSP - Study Planning

NHStudent

Attending WGU and they have the SSCP rolled into the program. I still have a lot of courses to complete before I get there but really anxious to get my CISSP cert and considering trying to get it ahead of other certs within this program. I am putting in up to 20-25 hours per week with my courses right now so limited time. My term ends in June and I will take 2 months off before returning for hopefully my final term.

If I study for the CISSP over the summer will this align what I will need for SSCP and then stage to the CISSP? Or should I do that in reverse order?

H-bomb

I would recommend you study and take the CISSP first. Then schedule the SSCP the following day and take it.

SteveLavoie

I suggest that you take the SSCP first specially if you come from a technical background, it will be a warm-up exam for CISSP. Also, it take off 1 year from the 5 years requirement, then take the CISSP. This way doing the SSCP first give you some value, the other way is just a way to get a longer email signature :0

NHStudent

SteveLavoie wrote: »

I suggest that you take the SSCP first specially if you come from a technical background, it will be a warm-up exam for CISSP. Also, it take off 1 year from the 5 years requirement, then take the CISSP. This way doing the SSCP first give you some value, the other way is just a way to get a longer email signature :0

My degree should take a year off and my primary goal. However, would the SSCP cert take an additional year off? That said, I may actually have enough experience to cover for the 5 year requirement depending on how they view my resume and past roles.

SteveLavoie

IMHO, SSCP is a basic security certs, while the CISSP is an higher level one. So why gain the lower cert after gaining the higher one, except to have bragging right. At least in the SSCP--CISSP order, there is a progression or at least a certain value to do both test.

And yes, it could take another year off.

PJ_Sneakers

You can only waive a maximum of one year.

NHStudent

SteveLavoie wrote: »

... CISSP is an higher level one. So why gain the lower cert after gaining the higher one, .....

Because it is a part of the degree program I"m trying to complete. The cert is the objective / grade. WGU uses certs for many of their IT programs. However, the only two I am interested in keeping next to my name are not included (CISSP and OSCP).

The WGU Cybersecurity program includes the following certs:

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) – Associate of (ISC)² designation
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) – Associate of (ISC)² designation
• Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council ECES)
• Certified Incident Handler (EC-Council ECIH)
• Certified Internet Webmaster – Site Development Associate (CIW-SDA)
• Certified Internet Webmaster – Web Security Associate (CIW-WSA)
• A+ (CompTIA)
• Network+ (CompTIA)
• Security+ (CompTIA)
• Project+ (CompTIA)
• IT Operations Specialist (CompTIA)
• Secure Infrastructure Specialist (CompTIA)
• ITIL® Foundation

TechGuru80

SteveLavoie wrote: »

IMHO, SSCP is a basic security certs, while the CISSP is an higher level one. So why gain the lower cert after gaining the higher one, except to have bragging right. At least in the SSCP--CISSP order, there is a progression or at least a certain value to do both test.

And yes, it could take another year off.

As PJ_Sneakers already said, this is incorrect information. You can only waive a maximum of one year, thus requiring 4 years of work experience.

Honestly you should get what you HAVE to get first. Since SSCP is part of your degree program, you should get it first and not let it linger. The CISSP will add some information but it won't add a ton of additional studying time. Of course following up the SSCP with the CISSP is only a good strategy if you have the work experience to qualify, or will be very close...as you cannot claim the certification without the experience and endorsement.

Is there a specific reason why you are going to take a break? If you can qualify for the CISSP and it will help you immediately, then that is an ok strategy as long as you get right back into things....if you cannot qualify yet, I would keep knocking out courses. After all, you shouldn't really forget most of what you learned in 6 months.

Info_Sec_Wannabe

Apologies in advance for hijacking this thread.

As the number of relevant work experience required for the CISSP is being discussed in this thread, might as well ask my question. Supposing that upon passing the CISSP, you get the Associate of ISC2 while waiting to get the five year experience (one year waiver included). Upon meeting the said requirement, is the candidate still required to submit or complete the application or endorsement process to be fully CISSP certified?

unrealskillz06

TechGuru80 wrote: »

Honestly you should get what you HAVE to get first. Since SSCP is part of your degree program, you should get it first and not let it linger. The CISSP will add some information but it won't add a ton of additional studying time. Of course following up the SSCP with the CISSP is only a good strategy if you have the work experience to qualify, or will be very close...as you cannot claim the certification without the experience and endorsement.

I second this. Get what you NEED to have now, but as soon as you are finished get the CISSP. Its going to be additional material to learn but you will have a nice foundation for the CBKs.

TechGuru80

Info_Sec_Wannabe wrote: »

Apologies in advance for hijacking this thread.

As the number of relevant work experience required for the CISSP is being discussed in this thread, might as well ask my question. Supposing that upon passing the CISSP, you get the Associate of ISC2 while waiting to get the five year experience (one year waiver included). Upon meeting the said requirement, is the candidate still required to submit or complete the application or endorsement process to be fully CISSP certified?

To be an associate you don’t have to submit anything. You must have the experience requirement to submit the application for endorsement...they won’t let you do it in advance to expedite the process.

NHStudent

Thanks. The 2 month break is really a preference thing. You can take up to 3. With doing so, I can take a month off and then study for a month towards the next class or two coming back into the program. I figured maybe taking that a step further and studying for 2 months, taking the CISSP and then jumping into to clear the SSCP. Also have to take the CCSP. Both of those have a 3 month and a 6 month wait period before you can take them again if you fail. That would suck. Hoping to complete with WGU in 2 terms. I have done 6 classes in 7 weeks so far.