Certification help...

mbock7

Im graduating from college this year with a BA in Network Security, im currently working on my A+, Security +, and Network+. I want to complete these by December. From December on i want to pursue another certification but i am not sure what to pursue. I know that the Cert i want is CISSP but i cannot even go for it without years of security related experience. I am a IT Support Tech right now and in a year i want to try and get a job in a more security related IT feild. What Certification or certifications should i try and get that i could complete by next summer and would help me get into a security related position?

cisco_trooper

In the CISSP track there is an SSCP cert.....


http://www.techexams.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=49

dynamik

While you need experience for the SSCP and the CISSP, you can actually take the tests and become an Associate of (ISC)2 until you gain the necessary experience.

You should also consider familiarizing yourself with MS, *nix, and networking technologies (Cisco, wireless, etc.) because how can you secure something you aren't familiar with?

You should check out these threads as well:
http://techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=213741
http://techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27343

kriscamaro68

Well CCNA and CISCO firewall specialist could be some good ones. Also getting your MCP certs in security for server 03 might be good to.

JDMurray

The Associate of (ISC)2 designation was specifically design for people who have graduated college but do not yet have the requisite work experience. You can pass the SSCP or CISSP exam, be awared the Associate of (ISC)2 designation, and then when you have the experience, be promoted to the full certification. Several people here at TE have gone this route.

mbock7

If i was to get my SSCP, and then my CISSP going the route that you said, how would i present that on my resume ? just putting "associate ISC(2)" or ""CISSP, SSCP associate ISC(2)" . ?

Also if i had these certs what kind of security positions do i qualify for? I do see alot of security analyst jobs that interest me... would the completion of my BA in network security, network+, A+, Security + and the SSCP, CISSP associate ISC(2) open alot of doors?

nanga

I am in the same situation as ur ..just 6-8 months ahead in time. I am a recent college grad. I took Network +, CCNA, Security+ SSCP ( associate) and did an internship in security position ( although it was not of great help).

I am pursuing CEH as of now and also looking towards CCNA Security.

Try getting a work exp which would really bolster your skills.

mbock7

do you currently work in a security position nenga?

JDMurray

mbock7 wrote:

If i was to get my SSCP, and then my CISSP going the route that you said, how would i present that on my resume ? just putting "associate ISC(2)" or ""CISSP, SSCP associate ISC(2)" . ?

You would list yourself as Associate of the (ISC)2 only. You are forbidden to use the titles SSCP or CISSP until you have fully achieved those certifications.

dynamik

Is there no way to differentiate which one you have? It seems like that would be important.

What if you are an associate for both?

JDMurray

The last I heard it was forbidden to use "CISSP" or "SSCP" when you don't have the full cert.

As always, email the (ISC)2 directly for the latest official policies.

mbock7

If i wanted to go for my CCNA sometime i can you learn all you need to know from just a book or do you need hands on experience?

dynamik

It's possible to get by without experience, but you'd only be cheating yourself. What's the point of having a CCNA if you can't carry out the tasks in production? You can put together a decent lab for a few hundred dollars, and you'll get a lot of that back if you resell it later.

dynamik

JDMurray wrote:

The last I heard it was forbidden to use "CISSP" or "SSCP" when you don't have the full cert.

As always, email the (ISC)2 directly for the latest official policies.

I just got a response:

(ISC)2 wrote:

As an Associate, your title would be either Associate of ISC2, CISSP OR Associate of ISC2, SSCP.

JDMurray

Yes, they made that designation change on their new Web site too: https://www.isc2.org/how-to-become-an-associate.aspx?terms=associate

It makes sense to do that.

Talic

Aren't you supposed to be specialized in either Microsoft, *nix or Cisco first before you go after security certifications? I would think it makes sense to be CCNA/P or MCSE first then worry about security.

mbock7

dynamik wrote:

It's possible to get by without experience, but you'd only be cheating yourself. What's the point of having a CCNA if you can't carry out the tasks in production? You can put together a decent lab for a few hundred dollars, and you'll get a lot of that back if you resell it later.

Well lucky for me i work as a lab assistant and have tons of routers, switches, hubs, and cables. Also hyperterminal so i guess i do have a decent lab. I have worked Networking but the class that i was in only covered the TCP/IP / OSI models , subneting , and just briefly into router configurations. Do you think that is a good enough basic understanding to pick up a CCNA study guide and learn the rest by myself considering i do have a lab to practice?

dynamik

Talic wrote:

Aren't you supposed to be specialized in either Microsoft, *nix or Cisco first before you go after security certifications? I would think it makes sense to be CCNA/P or MCSE first then worry about security.

That's preferred.

http://techexams.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=213741#213741

mbock7 wrote:

Well lucky for me i work as a lab assistant and have tons of routers, switches, hubs, and cables. Also hyperterminal so i guess i do have a decent lab. I have worked Networking but the class that i was in only covered the TCP/IP / OSI models , subneting , and just briefly into router configurations. Do you think that is a good enough basic understanding to pick up a CCNA study guide and learn the rest by myself considering i do have a lab to practice?

Absolutely.