Which study guide?

I went to purchase the Cisco study guide, however there are 2 books. Which one is best?

Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (IINS)
Foundation learning for CCNA Security IINS 640-553 exam - by Catherine Paquet

or

CCNA Security
Official Exam Certification Guide (Exam 640-553) - by Michael Watkins

Thanks

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impelse

I am using the Official Guide plus CCNA Security Lab Manual (this book is great, help you to drill down the concepts with the labs).

bperiod

I'm assuming that's the Michael Watkins book, ok...thanks alot, appreciate the response.

mikej412

bperiod wrote: »

Which one is best?

Depends on your knowledge and experience.

Cisco Press Series Product Family Overview

Self-Study Guides Series

Self-Study Guides provide the first stage of learning—teaching course concepts and building a foundation of understanding. After building this foundation, candidates reach for Practical Studies titles to gain hands-on experience, followed by Exam Certification Guides and Flash Cards and Exam Practice Packs for late-stage exam preparation.

Exam Certification Guides Series

As mid- to late-stage study tools, Exam Certification Guides review concepts and prepare candidates for a Cisco certification exam. The audience who relies on these guides usually has conceptual understanding from real-world experience, a training course, or a Cisco Press Self-Study Guide and has gained hands-on experience through a Practical Studies title and work experience. After using an Exam Certification Guide, a candidate would proceed to late-stage preparation with the Flash Cards and Exam Practice Pack Series.

The Odom CCNA Certification Library is the only exception to the "use both the Cisco Press Self-Study and Cisco Press Exam Certification Guides when available" rule.

The CCNA:Security Exam Certification Guide was out long before the Self-Study guide -- and a bunch of people easily passed the exam using that and the CBT Nuggets. Without the CBT Nuggets you may need both books.