2011 Certification Plans

ibcritn

Mine may very well change, but my goals as of right now are:

CISSP - Q1
CCNA (Routing/Switching)
CCNA (Security)
GIAC GPEN
MAYBE OSCP (might be fun) or CHFI (depends on many factors)
I am also starting Graduate school in 2011 M.S. in CyberSecurity

rogue2shadow

N2IT wrote: »

That would be impressive!

I was thinking about getting the Linux+ LPIC 1 eventually. Maybe this will be the year.

My goals haven't been set yet honestly. I had some earlier in the post, but those have changed.

Only thing I have been working on extremely hard is Excel 2007. I am trying to really get to know the application. I've read 3 books on it so far and now I am watching a power user dvd by Mr Excel. This year might be nothing but Excel.

Man I got nothing on Excel; I've seen some projects use it extensively in the past in regards to advanced statistics and its definitely hardcore.

The only thing I remember excel wise was that hidden flight map in the office 2000 version?

N2IT

rogue2shadow wrote: »

Man I got nothing on Excel; I've seen some projects use it extensively in the past in regards to advanced statistics and its definitely hardcore.

The only thing I remember excel wise was that hidden flight map in the office 2000 version?

Work has given me some projects, strictly pivot table related. No VBA or functions/arguments quite yet, but I am getting there.

Hypntick

MCITP:SA and 70-680 for the MS stuff

If I have time i'd like to at least get CCENT

After that i'm not sure, just depends on what the job i'm doing at the time entails.

agplt

Plans for 2011:

I still don't know what to choose, what way i want to go... First main decision is to choose what way i will take my CCNA i am thinking about one way path but still i am not sure if i could handle it, because i am kinda new to this stuff, i had some experience in networking but i forgot a lot. After i got CCNA i am thinking about CCNA Security but maybe i have question for more advanced users here, what you think, what should i choose after i get CCNA ? maybe get some Microsoft certs or go on with CISCO ? I want to be sys admin which manages networks, maybe some servers, dunno still if it's not place for it you can just PM me, i am not sure of creating new thread. So to summarize everything:

My plans for 2011 are:

1. CCENT
2. CCNA
3. CCNA Security or VoIP or something else...

tearofs

Plan for 2011:

1, finish CCNP (SWITCH & TSHOOT)
2, either CCVP(most likely) or CCIE:R&S

stuh84

stuh84 wrote: »

I got the CCNP out the way this year so that has put me on a good path for the rest of it. As long as I finish off my JNCIA-JUNOS soon, I'll be on with the CCIP through the early months of 2011.

After that, so long as funds permit, I'm going to jump on the CCIE track. R&S definitely. If I feel like I need a change in the middle of it, I'm probably going to do either the LPIC-1, or JNCIS-SP.

I may do the HP ASE exam at some point too, but I'm not going to shout too much about that, it just happens to be there and I feel like having a go.

This is going to have to be updated a bit. I've had a few job applications get turned down due to lack of Microsoft Server knowledge (why the hell they call it a Networking job if its sys admin I dont know, but thats HR departments for you...), so once I've completed the CCIP, I'm probably gonna get on with the MCITP:SA, at the same time as studying for the CCIE:R&S written. I still hope to have the written done by the end of next year, but we shall see.

I think the Linux and Juniper stuff is going to have to go out of the window for now...

cisco_nerd

2011 should be good.. providing my drive stays high, and work permits!

Finish up CCNA
A+ and Server+ (maybe)
CCNA: Security
CCNP: R&S
Graduate Studies
CCNA: Wireless
or
CWTS/CWNA

cisco_certs

CCNP
CCNA-Voice
hopefully jump start CCNP-Voice

TheSuperRuski

70-680
Project+
CCNA
CCNA:security

Enrolling in WGU(Not a cert i know, but i will probably get a CIW cert or something this year as well)

Essendon

I have tweaked my 2011 plans a little. Now it's going to be:

1. MCITP : EMA (2 exams)
2. MCITP : EA (1 exam)
3. VCP
4. I'd like to squeeze in one CCA, but 4 heavyweight exams are a lot to get through.

It's going to be hard to convince the employer to shell out the $3000 or whatever it is for the course, so might have to do that out of pocket. But this is the blueprint for 2011 and I am going in with all cannons blazing. The VCP is too popular and in demand to be ignored.

Bl8ckr0uter

Here were my first plans:

Q4 2010 (few days): Security+
Q4 2010: LPIC-1 (November-December)
Jan Q1 2011: SSCP
Q1:2011: ITIL Foundations
Q2: 2011: C|EH
Q2: A.A.S Network Engineering
Q3: GSEC A.A.S Software development (maybe)
Q4: GCIA

My new plans are:
Certs: LPIC-1, WCNA, GCIA, GCFW, CCNP:Security
Course: Elearnsecurity, LSO web hacker and pen tester, offensive security
School: AAS in Network Engineering, AAS Software Development, start BSCS

Why?

Well with the prospect of a new job looming, it actually helped me to figure out what exactly I want to do. I still do want to do some pen testing but I feel like GPEN will be a better investment for me and also having the knowledge is going to be more worth while than the cert. I might pick up CEH just as resume candy but i don't know. Also one thing you should know is these are now 18 months goals, not 12 months. A lot of it is going to depend on what happens with my job. If I get the security analyst job, I will start working on the GCFW and CCNP security before the GCIA. If I don't get the job, the gcia will come first and it is very possible the gcfw will be next and I may not ever do the CCNP security. We will see but if it doesn't come through, I may start looking at LPIC-2 or GPEN. I am also considering GWAPT as a possible alternate as I want to do it anyway at some point.

I dropped the SSCP because I didn't feel like the cert is going to be doable for me by March, especially if I am moving/changing jobs/taking 18 credits/finish linux+ and LPIC-1. It seemed like a bit much to commit to. Right now, I like the way my list looks but we will see what happens. I am really looking for a analyst type role which I can work into engineering so the certs I have chosen (IMO) seem like the most logical.

ibcritn

Bl8ckr0uter wrote: »

Here were my first plans:

My new plans are:
Certs: LPIC-1, WCNA, GCIA, GCFW, CCNP:Security
Course: Elearnsecurity, LSO web hacker and pen tester, offensive security
School: AAS in Network Engineering, AAS Software Development, start BSCS

Why?

Well with the prospect of a new job looming, it actually helped me to figure out what exactly I want to do. I still do want to do some pen testing but I feel like GPEN will be a better investment for me and also having the knowledge is going to be more worth while than the cert. I might pick up CEH just as resume candy but i don't know. Also one thing you should know is these are now 18 months goals, not 12 months. A lot of it is going to depend on what happens with my job. If I get the security analyst job, I will start working on the GCFW and CCNP security before the GCIA. If I don't get the job, the gcia will come first and it is very possible the gcfw will be next and I may not ever do the CCNP security. We will see but if it doesn't come through, I may start looking at LPIC-2 or GPEN. I am also considering GWAPT as a possible alternate as I want to do it anyway at some point.

I dropped the SSCP because I didn't feel like the cert is going to be doable for me by March, especially if I am moving/changing jobs/taking 18 credits/finish linux+ and LPIC-1. It seemed like a bit much to commit to. Right now, I like the way my list looks but we will see what happens. I am really looking for a analyst type role which I can work into engineering so the certs I have chosen (IMO) seem like the most logical.

I am right there with ya with GPEN. We can certainly bounce training ideas off each other.

Bl8ckr0uter

ibcritn wrote: »

I am right there with ya with GPEN. We can certainly bounce training ideas off each other.

I think I want to start a thread for those folks going to challenge SANS certs.

EDIT: I started it: http://www.techexams.net/forums/security-certifications/61433-sans-challengers-group.html#post483323

ajs1976

ajs1976 wrote: »

2011 Goals

3-4 classes towards my BTM degree

2-3 MS exams - Client Exam for MCITP:EA, upgrade exam, Exchange 2003

2 Citrix exams - not sure what, depends on the new Job. Most likely CCA on XenApp 5 or 6

Mine still looks about right.

January - 70-620 / Vista. Client for MCITP:EA
February - Exchange 2003
March / April - CCA. Either Xenapp on Windows 2003 or CAGEE
July / August - MCITP:EA upgrade exam

SteveO86

CWTS - I'm going to try and finish this off in January
Server+ - Just kind of want this cert
BlackBerry Certified Sys Admin - I got a free voucher, and passed the last 2 tests with min studying
CCDA - Cisco is what I like/work with the most.

CWNA - Depending how I feel after the CWTS
Project+/ITIL - Thinking about these but not too sure.

I might look into a B.S. degree this year.. Just not sure if it's really worth it.. Besides I still want to wrangle up a few more of these low-level certs...

Should be enough to keep me busy next year.

hill1221

70-299 to reinstate MCSAS
70-293 and 70-294 to upgrade to MCSES

Maybe CEH.

willhi1979

Here's my current plan for 2011, we'll see how it goes:

1) 70-299 (for MCSE: Security): Have failed this one twice
2) 70-284 (for MCSE: Messaging): Currently studying for this
3) 70-285 (for MCSE: Messaging): Currently studying for this
4) VCP
5) Upgrade MCSE to MCITP: SA and MCITP: EA
6) CWTS/CWNA/CWSP

Zentraedi

Here we go all in order.

I'm sure I can do the first 3 all in January.

MCTS: 70-640
MCITP: EDST 70-685
MCITP: EDA 70-686
MCITP: SA 70-646
MCTS: 70-643
MCITP: EA 70-647
MCTS: 70-659
MCTS: 70-662
MCITP: EMA 70-663


If I have time, I'll look at these:

MCTS: 70-664
MCITP: LSA 70-665
MCTS: 70-403
MCTS: 70-669
MCITP: VA 70-693
MCTS: 70-157
MCTS: 70-158
MCTS: 70-159


If I some how magically achieve those, then I'll go back to Cisco stuff and work on the following:

CCDA
CCNA-V
ROUTE
SWITCH
TSHOOT

chopsticks

I am a new comer in IT Certification. Although I have been working in IT for quite some years, it's a shame that I didn't push myself to get certified. However, I wish make a change.

Here's my plan for preparing for certification in 2011 :

1) MCSA 2003 (Q1, Q2)
2) MCSE 2003 (Q2, Q3)
3) MCTS Exchange Server 2007 (Q1, Q2)
4) CCNA - ICND 1 (Q1, Q2), ICND 2 (Q3, Q4)


Currently I am working on exams :

a) 70-270
b) 640-822

I may change my plan according to my progress along the way.

Mike-Mike

getting ready to order the Sybex MCDST book

arwes

I'm taking the 70-293 in two weeks, but I really need to quicken my pace on these things if I'm going to enroll at WGU. Looking at my transcript, I did 270 in 2007 then 290 in 2009 and 291 in 2010 (would've done 293 last week but our one test center has been booked for awhile now). I'd like to finish the MCSE within a few months and get started on upgrading it to the MCITP:EA. After that, it's on to WGU and all the stuff that I have to do with them.

powerfool

My plans for 2011 are a bit up in the air. Here is my current plan that will likely change... and I don't feel like updating my signature again...

January 2011: CCNA Security, SNRS
February 2011: SNAF, SNAA
March 2011: IPS, 70-284 and 70-285
May 2011: CEH and graduate with Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity.
June/July 2011: Begin next graduate certificate that adds on to my existing and will ultimately earn me an MS in Cybersecurity.

After that... who know. I should probably do PMP after having all of these technical certifications, which will be good to get prior to starting my MBA in 2012, as the MBA will count towards PMP PDUs and CISSP CPEs and whatever they are for CEH.

Maybe begin studying for CCIE Security or MCM Active Directory...

powerfool

arwes wrote: »

I'm taking the 70-293 in two weeks, but I really need to quicken my pace on these things if I'm going to enroll at WGU. Looking at my transcript, I did 270 in 2007 then 290 in 2009 and 291 in 2010 (would've done 293 last week but our one test center has been booked for awhile now). I'd like to finish the MCSE within a few months and get started on upgrading it to the MCITP:EA. After that, it's on to WGU and all the stuff that I have to do with them.

Yeah, you really should have pushed for those more closely. The core four exams have a huge amount of overlap. If you have been taking that pace to write your exams, have you been getting experience? I think that will play a huge role in your success. The 2003 exams really seemed to come more naturally than the 2000 exams. The 2008 exams almost feel as if Microsoft didn't care if you use Windows... just know the generic concepts that can apply outside of Windows, as well (to a degree, obviously).

Armor149

Ok, so my plans for 2011 are:
(All plans are subject to change without prior notice)

Finish my AS degree in Computer Networking & Administration (2 classes)
70-272 (finish my MCDST)
70-290
70-291
70-? (for the client exam)
ICND1

That should be more than enough for me, considering I only got 3 certs for 2010.

N2IT

Armor149 wrote: »

Ok, so my plans for 2011 are:
(All plans are subject to change without prior notice)

Finish my AS degree in Computer Networking & Administration (2 classes)
70-272 (finish my MCDST)
70-290
70-291
70-? (for the client exam)
ICND1

That should be more than enough for me, considering I only got 3 certs for 2010.

Yeah but you are getting a nice AAS degree! That is worth more than most certifications by themselves.

Nice work!

Mike-Mike

Armor149 wrote: »

Ok, so my plans for 2011 are:
(All plans are subject to change without prior notice)

Finish my AS degree in Computer Networking & Administration (2 classes)
70-272 (finish my MCDST)
70-290
70-291
70-? (for the client exam)
ICND1

That should be more than enough for me, considering I only got 3 certs for 2010.

what are you using for your MCDST?

Chris:/*

Certs:
January: CEH/NDA
March: CCNA
May: CISSP
June: VCP 4
August: CHFI
October: RHCSA > RHCE Attempt
November: G7799

Degree:
December: MS:ISA (May slide due to job requirements)

mikedisd2

chopsticks wrote: »

Here's my plan for preparing for certification in 2011 :

1) MCSA 2003 (Q1, Q2)
2) MCSE 2003 (Q2, Q3)
3) MCTS Exchange Server 2007 (Q1, Q2)
4) CCNA - ICND 1 (Q1, Q2), ICND 2 (Q3, Q4)


Currently I am working on exams :

a) 70-270
b) 640-822

Just as a suggestion, you may want to forego the 70-270 and replace with a Win7 exam. This way you can use it for when upgrading your MCSA/E to the MCITP. Or maybe not even bother with the MCSE and head straight for hte MCITP.

chopsticks

mikedisd2 wrote: »

Just as a suggestion, you may want to forego the 70-270 and replace with a Win7 exam. This way you can use it for when upgrading your MCSA/E to the MCITP. Or maybe not even bother with the MCSE and head straight for hte MCITP.

Hi mikedisd2, thanks for your suggestion.

I may not be able to do so as I have signed up the MCSA course & the subsequent MCSA-to-MCSE upgrade course in my country, and unfortunately, Win XP is still being one part of the modules in MCSA (even my course instructor is wondering why are we still taking Win XP and the MCSA/MCSE route, instead of MCITP:SA or MCITP:EA path).

The main reason for doing so is due largely to our government is still funding on these "legacy" courses, while the newer ones have not been affirmed yet. So I also don't think I can negotiate for a change for this Win XP module to a Win 7 one, because it's already linked with govt funding for these courses. So I guess I will have to bite the bullet and go through it, once and for all.