Best cert path for Security, IDS/IDP Wireless?

pwjohnston

Currently I’ve been working more of a A+, N+, MCSE, Security+, CCNA path for foundation and marketability, but that just does not excite me. I should be completing my MCSA this month and I had planned on taking my Security+ next. I feel like I should be taking CWNA/P, CEH, CISSP.

If I want to work in wired and wireless IDS/IDP what would you guys recommend? I’ve been seeing on dice.com CISSP (but I’m a long way off from that), GIAC, and 4 years experience(in a security position) , but I’m just trying to get my foot in the door and still be able to pay my bills.

dynamik

CWNP is the name of the organization that offers those wireless certs. The security-based CWSP is the next step after the CWNA. It sounds like you'd be interested in the CCSP track as well. However, it looks like the CCNP is strongly recommended before going that route. The CEH looks like a fun cert to pursue, but they do have a two-year requirement, so keep that in mind as well.

Also, you don't want to rush the foundation-level information and jump right to something like the CISSP. I know (believe me!) that it's frustrating to not work with the most exciting things right away, but it'll benefit you greatly later on. Be sure to check out this thread to boost your motivation.

pwjohnston

dynamik wrote:

CWNP is the name of the organization that offers those wireless certs. The security-based CWSP is the next step after the CWNA. It sounds like you'd be interested in the CCSP track as well. However, it looks like the CCNP is strongly recommended before going that route. The CEH looks like a fun cert to pursue, but they do have a two-year requirement, so keep that in mind as well.

Also, you don't want to rush the foundation-level information and jump right to something like the CISSP. I know (believe me!) that it's frustrating to not work with the most exciting things right away, but it'll benefit you greatly later on. Be sure to check out this thread to boost your motivation.

Well CWSP is defiantly one I'm interested in perusing because I want to get into wireless more than wired, but I don't want to pigeonhole myself too much. I have also considered the CCSP, but not both. I donno if I could handle that much cisco.

JDMurray

pwjohnston wrote:

Well CWSP is defiantly one I'm interested in perusing because I want to get into wireless more than wired, but I don't want to pigeonhole myself too much. I have also considered the CCSP, but not both. I donno if I could handle that much cisco.

I take it that your primary goal for certification is to get a well-paying job. How many job postings on dice.com do you see that mention the CWSP or CWNE? Search on the keywords "wireless networks" and see what employers are asking for in terms of education, certification, and experience.

Turgon

pwjohnston wrote:

Currently I’ve been working more of a A+, N+, MCSE, Security+, CCNA path for foundation and marketability, but that just does not excite me. I should be completing my MCSA this month and I had planned on taking my Security+ next. I feel like I should be taking CWNA/P, CEH, CISSP.

If I want to work in wired and wireless IDS/IDP what would you guys recommend? I’ve been seeing on dice.com CISSP (but I’m a long way off from that), GIAC, and 4 years experience(in a security position) , but I’m just trying to get my foot in the door and still be able to pay my bills.

Well..there are wireless certs and more power to the folks that took time out to get them. I have the CISSP experience requirement allright but not the time right now to study for the track. I believe there is a lower CISSP cert for those with limited security experience. That might be the way to go for now. It may open a door into security where you can complete the CISSP requirement on works time.

To be honest, if security is your *thang*, get in as soon as you can. In which case the experience will come. Your cert path so far makes sense but I see a lot of people doing A+, N+, MCSA, Sec+, CCNA, CEH etc..this takes a long time, only to see the buddy network overtake those people.

Consider the entry level CISSP cert and get in with a big company with security professionals fulltime or a security company. Specialisms include CCSE, CCSP et al but that comes later.

keatron

Turgon wrote:

pwjohnston wrote:

Currently I’ve been working more of a A+, N+, MCSE, Security+, CCNA path for foundation and marketability, but that just does not excite me. I should be completing my MCSA this month and I had planned on taking my Security+ next. I feel like I should be taking CWNA/P, CEH, CISSP.

If I want to work in wired and wireless IDS/IDP what would you guys recommend? I’ve been seeing on dice.com CISSP (but I’m a long way off from that), GIAC, and 4 years experience(in a security position) , but I’m just trying to get my foot in the door and still be able to pay my bills.

Well..there are wireless certs and more power to the folks that took time out to get them. I have the CISSP experience requirement allright but not the time right now to study for the track. I believe there is a lower CISSP cert for those with limited security experience. That might be the way to go for now. It may open a door into security where you can complete the CISSP requirement on works time.

To be honest, if security is your *thang*, get in as soon as you can. In which case the experience will come. Your cert path so far makes sense but I see a lot of people doing A+, N+, MCSA, Sec+, CCNA, CEH etc..this takes a long time, only to see the buddy network overtake those people.

Consider the entry level CISSP cert and get in with a big company with security professionals fulltime or a security company. Specialisms include CCSE, CCSP et al but that comes later.

Good advice but I will add this; Be careful stacking yourself with security certs and not having any practical know how. With the economy the way it is right now in the U.S., not many companies are hiring entry level anything. You can't possibly secure a Cisco network without having some knowledge of how it's put together and how it works.

Turgon

keatron wrote:

Turgon wrote:

pwjohnston wrote:

Currently I’ve been working more of a A+, N+, MCSE, Security+, CCNA path for foundation and marketability, but that just does not excite me. I should be completing my MCSA this month and I had planned on taking my Security+ next. I feel like I should be taking CWNA/P, CEH, CISSP.

If I want to work in wired and wireless IDS/IDP what would you guys recommend? I’ve been seeing on dice.com CISSP (but I’m a long way off from that), GIAC, and 4 years experience(in a security position) , but I’m just trying to get my foot in the door and still be able to pay my bills.

Well..there are wireless certs and more power to the folks that took time out to get them. I have the CISSP experience requirement allright but not the time right now to study for the track. I believe there is a lower CISSP cert for those with limited security experience. That might be the way to go for now. It may open a door into security where you can complete the CISSP requirement on works time.

To be honest, if security is your *thang*, get in as soon as you can. In which case the experience will come. Your cert path so far makes sense but I see a lot of people doing A+, N+, MCSA, Sec+, CCNA, CEH etc..this takes a long time, only to see the buddy network overtake those people.

Consider the entry level CISSP cert and get in with a big company with security professionals fulltime or a security company. Specialisms include CCSE, CCSP et al but that comes later.

Good advice but I will add this; Be careful stacking yourself with security certs and not having any practical know how. With the economy the way it is right now in the U.S., not many companies are hiring entry level anything. You can't possibly secure a Cisco network without having some knowledge of how it's put together and how it works.

Very true.