New to the network/security world

razz2525

For the past 10 years, I have worked in the IT business/supply chain arena but I've always wanted to dive into a technical role. In fact, I most recently changed my Master's major from Information Technology to Information Assurance/CyberSecurity and although I was warned that the classes will be very technical in nature (vs. business-oriented), I'm eager to get started. I'm a little nervous because I do not have any calculus (except for high school) or programming in my background and I was told I'd need it for some of these network and cryptography courses...

So now I have a Cyber Security Specialist role at work and although I'm involved in NERC CIP compliance from a documentation standpoint, I want to understand the technical aspect of access controls and identity management. Ultimately, I'd like to move into forensics or even ethical hacking. As I mentioned before, I have no technical or programming background but I want to take the Security+ cert. I've started reviewing Darril Gibson's book, but I read on his blog that the Security+ exams now include a performance section where you have to complete a task! :-O I wouldn't know the first thing about that. He suggested that I take Network+ first and then Security+ so that I have more of a foundation. Any other recommendations to help me jumpstart my entry into the technical world?

Thanks much!