Just need some direction

I anticipate taking and passing my Security+ this Monday. Once completed, I am planning on studying for my CCNA Security, while reading up on my CCNP-ROUTE.

I really like the idea of security and the future that it brings.

I really dont have much experience on the PC/Application/Software side of the house. And I don't want to go down the route of CISSP and just be a guy that passed a test with a certificate but without the hands on knowledge of security. (Which I understand CISSP is not a TECHNICAL cert)

I want to be a security specialist. But I want to be more than a paper specialist. My on the job training keeps me fresh, but i have to supplement the training on my own.
Any advice would be helpful. I have been scanning the forums alot and see there are VERY helpful people in this place.

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JDMurray

blake15 wrote: »

I anticipate taking and passing my Security+ this Monday. Once completed, I am planning on studying for my CCNA Security, while reading up on my CCNP-ROUTE.

This is an excellent start to a career in the technical side of security. Have a look at the SSCP cert too.

blake15 wrote: »

One of the guys I know failed his CISSP recently and another tells me the GSEC is the way to go.

This depends on what you expect certification to do for you. If it is help you get a job, check the listings on the popular job boards and see how many employers are asking for the CISSP, GSEC, both, and neither. Get the certs asked for by the jobs you want.

blake15 wrote: »

I want to be a security specialist. But I want to be more than a paper specialist. My on the job training keeps me fresh, but i have to supplement the training on my own.

The experience comes from working as a professional InfoSec specialist, the education from a university degree, and the supplemental training from certifications.

blake15 wrote: »

I would really like to be employed by the military at some point so I can have some type of retirement benefit to look for.

The U.S. military will keep you in poverty and, after many, many years of service, give you a pension that you can hardly live on. Get security experience in the military and use it to start a civilian career in the Beltway as a DoD contractor. This is where you will earn good money and build your own retirement rather than depending on some government organization to (hopefully) take care of you one day.

flipmad

JD.

Thank you so much for the information. You just proved my statement about how helpful people are in here. My brother-in-law actually works up in the Beltway and makes 6 figures.

I need to focus first on passing this exam Monday.

What are the differences between the SSCP and the GSEC? I am also pretty interested in the CEH because of the hands on experience.

flipmad

By the way I was reading your blog and found the DOD Directives very interesting.

JDMurray

blake15 wrote: »

What are the differences between the SSCP and the GSEC? I am also pretty interested in the CEH because of the hands on experience.

Both are technical, but the GSEC covers a lot more technical depth and is a harder exam. You will sit though a 5-day SANS course before you take the GSEC, so your preparation for the GSEC will be more intense than studying for the SSCP on your own.

And there is no hands-on aspect of the CEH. You just study the material and pass a computer-based exam. There is actually very little in the way of hands-on pen testing information in the CEH. That's more of the OSCP cert.

shaycorl

If you are planning to get in cisco technologirs then most basic path is to go with A+ > N+ > Security > Security + CCNA > CCNA Security or CCNP and so on. Therer are many highly paying jobs as well all it matters is hands on labs.

JDMurray

If you will be going the Cisco route (pun intended), skip the Network+ and do the CCENT instead.