Starting the GIAC track with GSEC -- How do I study?

maxhavoc

So I just passed EC-Council's CEH certification and now I'm looking for an actually good cert so I'm thinking of starting the GIAC track. I want to jump straight into GSEC (Skipping GISF) but a quick look at Amazon shows no books for GSEC! I've always done self study for my certifications and have always used books to help me prepare. So how do I prepare for GSEC? Any advice?

maumercado

Check the website for courses or self study stuff for SANS
SANS Institute - SANS SelfStudy

maxhavoc

Yeah I looked there, but all I see is the one assessment test which I just took and registration for courses which I can't afford. I was hoping for something along the lines of a book or at least more practice tests.

maumercado

Problem is that there are certain courses by sans that are just by courses with them, ill advice you to call sans for information about any materials that you could get your hands on...

By the way goo choice on certifications, SANS has greats programs, you should check out Masters Degree in Information Security - sans.edu

JDMurray

The GSEC workshop supplies the books, which are five or six very large binders. Everything covered in the workshop is listed on the sans.org site somewhere. Make sure you check the prices of attending the workshop, taking the exam, getting the "gold" certification, and taking the GSEC exam without attending the workshop. All very expensive if you are paying for it yourself.

maumercado wrote: »

By the way goo choice on certifications, SANS has greats programs, you should check out Masters Degree in Information Security - sans.edu

It is likely that SANS will not be getting regional accreditation from CHEA before 2011, and from the NSA until sometimes after that, so you may want to hold off on a SANS Masters degree in InfoSec until they have that all nearly completed. You may one day want those units to be worth something to other schools.

unsupported

maxhavoc wrote: »

... but a quick look at Amazon shows no books for GSEC! ... Any advice?

Not to sound harsh, but take more than a quick look:

Amazon.com: The GSEC Prep Guide: Mastering SANS GIAC Security Essentials: Mike Chapple: Books

Amazon.com: SANS GIAC Certification: Security Essentials Toolkit (GSEC): Eric Cole, Mathew Newfield, John M. Millican, Stephen Northcutt: Books

Also, you could probably put together your own material from the certification bulletin at GSEC Certification Bulletin.

Also, SANS has a work study program (SANS Institute - Work Study Program). For $700, you can work at a SANS event passing out worksheets and answering questions and you will get access to the online material for the training course.

maxhavoc

unsupported wrote: »

Not to sound harsh, but take more than a quick look:

Amazon.com: The GSEC Prep Guide: Mastering SANS GIAC Security Essentials: Mike Chapple: Books

Amazon.com: SANS GIAC Certification: Security Essentials Toolkit (GSEC): Eric Cole, Mathew Newfield, John M. Millican, Stephen Northcutt: Books

Not to sound harsh, but maybe you should take a closer look at those books. The first one is out of stock and from 2003 and the other is from 2002. Not exactly stellar choices....

maxhavoc

maumercado wrote: »

Problem is that there are certain courses by sans that are just by courses with them, ill advice you to call sans for information about any materials that you could get your hands on...

By the way goo choice on certifications, SANS has greats programs, you should check out Masters Degree in Information Security - sans.edu

I already have an MS in Information Security and Assurance from George Mason.

j_a_s_o_n

maxhavoc wrote: »

registration for courses which I can't afford.

You can always go the workstudy route for the class. For $700 you get to take the class and get the on demand materials if they're available. Doesn't get much cheaper than that.

SANS Institute - Work Study Program