CCNA Security before CCNP

Henry is God

I take it this makes sense? I am taking a week break before I hit the bright lights again. I take it I would be better to do the Security exam first and then embark on to the CCNP afterwards?

Thanks

Roguetadhg

Depends.

Most (Including myself) consider CCNP the best way, as it'll give you a stronger base of information - how packets travel, yadda yadda. However, I can think of a few reasons why you wouldn't

1) You don't have a career with routers and switches. Having a CCNP without experience raises eyebrows. Which, by itself, may or may not be a bad thing. It's mostly a red flag.
2) You're mostly a security buff, and your career wants you to have it.
3) You just want to.

Henry is God

Roguetadhg wrote: »

Depends.

Most (Including myself) consider CCNP the best way, as it'll give you a stronger base of information - how packets travel, yadda yadda. However, I can think of a few reasons why you wouldn't

1) You don't have a career with routers and switches. Having a CCNP without experience raises eyebrows. Which, by itself, may or may not be a bad thing. It's mostly a red flag.
2) You're mostly a security buff, and your career wants you to have it.
3) You just want to.

Just graduated, will be involved with routers/switches in an entry level position, and security is what I want to be specialising in eventually. I have my CCNA already so instead of going CCNP and then jumping back, surely this would make more sense?

Roguetadhg

Well, a CCNA Security won't take as long to get, either. One test versus Three. Just make sure to try to retain the information you know from CCNA. It's all pretty darn cool when you get down to it.

I'd go for the CCNA:Security. Atleast at that way, when you get your CCNP, your CCNA's will be re-done.

YFZblu

I think CCNA: Sec is a more natural transition after completing the CCNA. Additionally, I always tell people to do what they love to do - And it sounds like you want to swing towards security, so I think that's your answer. Once you have some experience in the field, if you really love routing and switching, you can always go with the CCNP later.

al3kt.R***

Considering the fact that you will be required to constantly read info about security-related topics, while studying for your CCNP®, I'd recommend going for the CCNA®-Security first to get the feeling (and the cert of course), taking into account also that you are into security specializations. After finishing you can always head towards the CCNP®-Security path, and get the most of security-related knowledge and certs, if you are still up to it, in addition or as an alternative to going for the CCNP®.

Regards m8

Complete_IT_Professional

I think because you mentioned you want to get into security at a later date, the CCNA Security would be the one you can go for.
There are also other security certifications if you end up getting all the Cisco ones you need, such as the ones from ISC or other vendors.

Henry is God

Thanks guys. Much appreciated advice and thanks to everyone to for taking the time to post.

Henry is God

YFZblu wrote: »

I think CCNA: Sec is a more natural transition after completing the CCNA. Additionally, I always tell people to do what they love to do - And it sounds like you want to swing towards security, so I think that's your answer. Once you have some experience in the field, if you really love routing and switching, you can always go with the CCNP later.

I'm following your thread. Good going.

jhnevelus

I just passed my CCNA also, I also have the same constraints. I feel that Routing and Switching may be the what the real world is looking for, but do understand that Security is my actual passion and want to do the same. I agree with Roguetad that 1 test is easier than 3, plus most of the ccna topics are still fresh on me and the test is fresh on me. But I do want the real world switching and routing experience. ARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Roguetadhg

There's nothing stopping you from going CCNA:Security then CCNP:R+S... or vise versa. There's a lot of arguments either way. Some may want to know the width of what's out there. Others have no use to know something about everything. Some may find the certification pointless without the experience. Some may say being certified is okay, just make sure not to list it on your resume. Some would say - Go for it!

It's really up to you. That's the hardest part about giving advice: My Situation is never going to be Your situation. There's far too many variables. Your desire, your motivation, location, past experiences is different than mine.

For example: A lot of people want the high-five figure salary or more. I want the knowledge. Money isn't my main desire - It isn't everything. Im not going to say I don't want a better paying job, with more responsibilities. I do. You can't have a decently comfortable life without it.

All you can do it make a choice, and stick with it - or if you feel you made the wrong choice, swallow your pride, and go for plan B. or plan C before you've spent too much time, too much money, too much stuff into your plan A.

RouteMyPacket

Roguetadhg wrote: »

There's nothing stopping you from going CCNA:Security then CCNP:R+S... or vise versa. There's a lot of arguments either way. Some may want to know the width of what's out there. Others have no use to know something about everything. Some may find the certification pointless without the experience. Some may say being certified is okay, just make sure not to list it on your resume. Some would say - Go for it!

It's really up to you. That's the hardest part about giving advice: My Situation is never going to be Your situation. There's far too many variables. Your desire, your motivation, location, past experiences is different than mine.

For example: A lot of people want the high-five figure salary or more. I want the knowledge. Money isn't my main desire - It isn't everything. Im not going to say I don't want a better paying job, with more responsibilities. I do. You can't have a decently comfortable life without it.

All you can do it make a choice, and stick with it - or if you feel you made the wrong choice, swallow your pride, and go for plan B. or plan C before you've spent too much time, too much money, too much stuff into your plan A.

That is the tricky thing about certifications, even Cisco certs. If I have a resume in my hand and lets say the candidate has CCNA, CCNP and I look and see no experience. I honestly would most likely pass it by, that is the tough thing about IT. EXPERIENCE is king, certs are supplemental only to experience.

I don't mean to discourage anyone, everyone needs a chance and if I did decide to interview someone like that, I would put them through a rigorous technical interview and probably even hand them a document and a laptop and say "Ok, you have 30 minutes to build this network and make it 100% functional"