What to do??

ger the man

Hi all,
I have a slight dilemma - Im working in IT security about 2.5 years now and am about to take the Security+ exam. When I hopefully pass Im contemplating whether to do MCSE (I have a lot of experience with Windows) or CCNA (I dont know the first thing). I want to stay in security so what is the best option??

Thanks for all replies.

hypnotoad

If you go MCSE you can go MCSE with the security "concentration", if you go Cisco you can get CCNA + CCNA Security or even CCSP later.

CCNA = 1 or 2 exams
CCNA: Security = 1 more exam
CCSP = 4 more exams (IPS, SNRS, SNAF, Elective).

MCSE + Security is 6 exams, isn't it?

Might as well do them both. Cisco's security teaches you nothing about servers. Then again, neither path will teach much CISSP or CEH type stuff.

blargoe

MCSE:Security is 7 Exams if you already have Security+.

MCSE: Security on Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements

ger the man

I was thinking it might be good to do both MCSE and CCNA? I would be starting CCNA as a complete newbie though. I looked at stuff like 'ethical hacker' but I have yet to see one job advertisement mentioning it.

drew2000

CCNA would be far fewer exams than MCSE, but they could both be applicable to your career. I found the Security+ to be very broadening and fun to study for. Depending on what part of security you work in, either path could work out for you.

Good luck,

Drew

hypnotoad

A CCNA is good for any branch of networking. I'd go find the ICND1 book by Wendell Odom in the book store or a sample chapter online and browse its topics, see if it's something you think you'd like to start doing.

Keep in mind that most Cisco people spend a lot of time in the lab. I'm not sure if that's the same for MCSE...but building a CCNA lab can be a lot of fun and challenging.

Both approaches have their ups and downs.

ger the man

hypnotoad wrote: »

A CCNA is good for any branch of networking. I'd go find the ICND1 book by Wendell Odom in the book store or a sample chapter online and browse its topics, see if it's something you think you'd like to start doing.

Keep in mind that most Cisco people spend a lot of time in the lab. I'm not sure if that's the same for MCSE...but building a CCNA lab can be a lot of fun and challenging.

Both approaches have their ups and downs.

Yeah I checked the cisco site yesterday and saw the ICND route too. So, CCNA is more about networking than the actual cisco products? I have access to some cisco hardware and was wondering which is the best to use? Sorry for all the questions but Im really starting from scratch.

Thanks