Based on my experience/certifications what should I do next?
Lenniusce
Member Posts: 114 ■■■■□□□□□□
Hello,
Based on the following, what would you guys recommend I do next in terms of job/certifications? Looking for advice. Thanks in advance!
Location: San Diego, CA
Working in IT: Since 2011
Working as Network Engineer: Since 2016
Current Job: Associate Manager / Network Systems Engineer - The sole network engineer in a large development team. Networking here is fairly easy for someone like me, no advanced protocols used.
Prior Job #1: Network Engineer IV - Government Contractor - Lead Manager over 3 direct reports. Didnt like leading so I found another job and got 20%
Prior Job #2: Network Engineer - Government Contractor - Left for 20%
Prior Job #3:Test Engineer - Government Contractor - Left for contract reasons
Prior Job #4: IT Specialist - MSP in San Diego as helpdesk/support for two companies Left for 20%
Education #1: MSIS from Auburn University
Education #2: MBA in ITM from WGU
Certifications: PMI PMP, CCNA, A+, N+ Sec+, Linux+, Server+, MCSA Server 2016
Based on the following, what would you guys recommend I do next in terms of job/certifications? Looking for advice. Thanks in advance!
Location: San Diego, CA
Working in IT: Since 2011
Working as Network Engineer: Since 2016
Current Job: Associate Manager / Network Systems Engineer - The sole network engineer in a large development team. Networking here is fairly easy for someone like me, no advanced protocols used.
Prior Job #1: Network Engineer IV - Government Contractor - Lead Manager over 3 direct reports. Didnt like leading so I found another job and got 20%
Prior Job #2: Network Engineer - Government Contractor - Left for 20%
Prior Job #3:Test Engineer - Government Contractor - Left for contract reasons
Prior Job #4: IT Specialist - MSP in San Diego as helpdesk/support for two companies Left for 20%
Education #1: MSIS from Auburn University
Education #2: MBA in ITM from WGU
Certifications: PMI PMP, CCNA, A+, N+ Sec+, Linux+, Server+, MCSA Server 2016
In Progress: CCNA:DEVNET or CISSP Done: PMP | A+ | N+ | S+ | L+ | P+ | MCSA 2016 | CCNA | CCNA:S(exp) | LPIC1(exp) | MBA IT Management | MS Information Systems
Comments
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matt333 Member Posts: 276 ■■■■□□□□□□Sounds like you want a more complex environment to work in. I'd say you can go everywhere. 5+ years of experience is enough to move to another network engineer role it just depends on what size of a company you prefer to work in.Studying: Automating Everything, network API's, Python etc..Certifications: CCNP, CCDP, JNCIP-DC, JNCIS-DevOps, JNCIS-ENT, JNCIS-SP
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JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,099 AdminWhat degrees/certs next depends on where you want to take your career next. Any ideas?
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Lenniusce Member Posts: 114 ■■■■□□□□□□JDMurray said:What degrees/certs next depends on where you want to take your career next. Any ideas?
My currently company pays for: CISSP, all GIAC certifications, CISM, CISA regardless of whether or not I pass them.
However, they DONT cover any Cisco certs. I kind of want to get the DEVNET but think the CISSP could be useful. Part of why I’m throwing this out there for ideas/input.In Progress: CCNA:DEVNET or CISSP Done: PMP | A+ | N+ | S+ | L+ | P+ | MCSA 2016 | CCNA | CCNA:S(exp) | LPIC1(exp) | MBA IT Management | MS Information Systems -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,099 AdminOf those certs, CISSP has the best ROI across all of the InfoSec profession. However, free GIAC certs is very tempting, especially with their programming-oriented certs. Does that funding include the corresponding SANS training as well?
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E Double U Member Posts: 2,239 ■■■■■■■■■■JDMurray said:Of those certs, CISSP has the best ROI across all of the InfoSec profession. However, free GIAC certs is very tempting, especially with their programming-oriented certs. Does that funding include the corresponding SANS training as well?Alphabet soup from (ISC)2, ISACA, GIAC, EC-Council, Microsoft, ITIL, Cisco, Scrum, CompTIA, AWS
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Lenniusce Member Posts: 114 ■■■■□□□□□□JDMurray said:Of those certs, CISSP has the best ROI across all of the InfoSec profession. However, free GIAC certs is very tempting, especially with their programming-oriented certs. Does that funding include the corresponding SANS training as well?
Here are some samples of exams they offer under the "Cyber" category:CAP - Certified Authorization Professional CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional CompTIA CySA+ CompTIA Security+ CSSLP - Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) GCED: GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender GCFA: GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst GCFE: GIAC Certified Forensics Examiner GCIA: GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst GCIH: GIAC Certified Incident Handler GCSA – GIAC Cloud Security Automation Certification GEVA - GIAC Enterprise Vulnerability Assessor GNFA: GIAC Network Forensic Analyst GPEN: GIAC Certified Penetration Tester GPYC: GIAC Python Coder GSLC: GIAC Security Leadership Certification GSTRT: GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership GWAPT: GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester GXPN: GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA) Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) SaltStack Certified Administrator (SSCA) SaltStack Certified Engineer (SSCE) SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner
In Progress: CCNA:DEVNET or CISSP Done: PMP | A+ | N+ | S+ | L+ | P+ | MCSA 2016 | CCNA | CCNA:S(exp) | LPIC1(exp) | MBA IT Management | MS Information Systems -
E Double U Member Posts: 2,239 ■■■■■■■■■■@Lenniusce - Since you mentioned network security, I would recommend SEC530 (GDSA) though I do not see it in the list above. That material was valuable for my previous network security role.
Is there a limitation on the amount of certifications you can do per year? Is there a requirement for you to stay employed with them for so long after achieving the credential or pay them back if you leave within so much time of obtaining it?
As @JDMurray said CISSP has the best ROI, but I personally do not feel that training is necessary. Interested to see which direction you choose. Good luck either way.Alphabet soup from (ISC)2, ISACA, GIAC, EC-Council, Microsoft, ITIL, Cisco, Scrum, CompTIA, AWS -
DatabaseHead Member Posts: 2,757 ■■■■■■■■■■I am in no way an industry expert in your space, but this one sounded pretty interesting.
CSSLP - Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional
Just saying...... -
SteveLavoie Member Posts: 1,133 ■■■■■■■■■□CISSP is a certification well-suited for self-study. There is no way you can cram it in a bootcamp unless you had studied before. In your case, I would jump on any SANS/GIAC course because training is very good and price tag very high..
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scasc Member Posts: 465 ■■■■■■■□□□For me, GIAC/SANS is incomparable. I think you will pick up some really great skills if you venture down and focus on this route.AWS, Azure, GCP, ISC2, GIAC, ISACA, TOGAF, SABSA, EC-Council, Comptia...
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TechGromit Member Posts: 2,156 ■■■■■■■■■□Lenniusce said:
My currently company pays for: CISSP, all GIAC certifications, CISM, CISA regardless of whether or not I pass them.
Still searching for the corner in a round room.