PenTesting / white hat

Hi all,
soon I will have my CCNA. After, I want to take the security path, Pen-testing/offensive security to be exact. What would be the "optimal" certification path? Would CCNA security be the next cert to aim for? My plan was to get Security+ and CCNA security as my two first security certifications after acquiring the CCNA.
I know that I'll need practice experience too, but right now I'm only concerned about the "best" certification path to take.
I also thought about taking the forensic path, but it looks like the job market is even worse than for penetration testers (Canada).
And my next question might sound really stupid;
Is a "white hat" considered a "penetration tester" and vis a versa?
Oh, my ultimate goal is to get the OSCP. But that's just my "dream" certificate
.
Thank you!
soon I will have my CCNA. After, I want to take the security path, Pen-testing/offensive security to be exact. What would be the "optimal" certification path? Would CCNA security be the next cert to aim for? My plan was to get Security+ and CCNA security as my two first security certifications after acquiring the CCNA.
I know that I'll need practice experience too, but right now I'm only concerned about the "best" certification path to take.
I also thought about taking the forensic path, but it looks like the job market is even worse than for penetration testers (Canada).
And my next question might sound really stupid;
Is a "white hat" considered a "penetration tester" and vis a versa?
Oh, my ultimate goal is to get the OSCP. But that's just my "dream" certificate

Thank you!
Goal 2013: CCENT (x); CCNA(x); Security+(x); ITIL Foundation ( )
Comments
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wes allen Member Posts: 540 ■■■■■□□□□□
Python and Linux good to know. CCNA Sec and Sec+ are good for the basics if you are not already strong in them. The best advice I see on the subject is to become a solid network engineer first, then look at network security.
White/grey/black hat stuff, to me, is more about intentions then actions - they use all the same tools and skill sets. -
wes allen Member Posts: 540 ■■■■■□□□□□
Also, there are a ton of good threads on here already so just start reading through them. Here is one to get you started:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/security-certifications/35746-security-ceritifications-ramblings.html -
ch1vas Member Posts: 81 ■■□□□□□□□□
Python and Linux good to know. CCNA Sec and Sec+ are good for the basics if you are not already strong in them.
So I'm on the right path. Good to know.
Also, there are a ton of good threads on here already so just start reading through them. Here is one to get you started:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/security-certifications/35746-security-ceritifications-ramblings.html
Thanks for the link. Good read.Goal 2013: CCENT (x); CCNA(x); Security+(x); ITIL Foundation ( ) -
Corrsta Member Posts: 48 ■■□□□□□□□□
Is the job market really that bad for forensics? It seems to be the only security field I see people getting hired with no experience whatsoever. -
ch1vas Member Posts: 81 ■■□□□□□□□□
Is the job market really that bad for forensics? It seems to be the only security field I see people getting hired with no experience whatsoever.Goal 2013: CCENT (x); CCNA(x); Security+(x); ITIL Foundation ( )