Should I go for it? InfoSec

StarxOn

I’m new to the “IT Security” industry and I have average experience in A+, Networking and CCENT/CCNA... I worked as Network Technician the last 3 years. I didn't have much to do with security though.

I need some advice on a Security related career path, most accurately, the path for penetration tester, security analyst, wireless network security, wireless penetration tester…

Below is a list of certifications I’d like to accomplish by the age of +35 (Currently 20 y/o)... I want do all certifications listed below, but the thing is, I’m not sure whether if it's going to be useful or just waste of time?!

Would appreciate, if you guys could review the list and let me know if they’re any unnecessary certifications/courses… (E.g. GPEN & OSCP are pretty much the same thing)
Your advice would be very much appreciated.

P.s I'm new to this forum.

CompTIA Certifications:
CompTIA A+ (Accomplished)
CompTIA Network+ (Accomplished)
CompTIA Security+ (In Progress)
CompTIA Server+
CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI (In Progress)
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner

Cisco Certifications:
Cisco CCT Routing & Switching (Accomplished)
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) (Accomplished)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- CCNA: Routing & Switching (Accomplished)
- CCNA: Wireless (In Progress)
- CCNA: Security
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- CCNP: Routing & Switching (In Progress)
- CCNP: Wireless
- CCNP: Security
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
- CCIE: Routing & Switching
- CCIE: Wireless

Microsoft Certifications:
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) (Accomplished)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MCA)
-MCA: Network Fundamentals (Accomplished)
-MCA: Server Administration Fundamentals (Accomplished)
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) (Accomplished)
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
- MCTS: Windows 7, Configuring (Accomplished)
- MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuration (Accomplished)
- MCTS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Configuration
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
- MCTS: Business Desktop Deployment
- MCTS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuration
- MCTS: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
- MCITP: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration (Accomplished)
- MCITP: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration (Accomplished)
- MCITP: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration
- MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician on Windows 7 (Accomplished)
- MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator on Windows 7 (Accomplished)
- MCITP: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator (Accomplished)
- MCITP: Server Administration
- MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator (Accomplished)

GIAC & Red Hat Certifications:
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF)
GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN)
GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)
GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

EC-Council Certifications:
Network Security Administrator (NSA)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Security Analyst (CSA)
Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT)

Offensive Security Certifications:
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP)
Offensive Security Certified Expert (OHCE)
Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OHEE)
Offensive Security Web Expert (OHWE)

Certified Wireless Network Professional Certification:
Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (CWTS)
Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA)
Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP)
Certified Wireless Design Professional (CWDP)
Certified Wireless Analysis Professional (CWAP)
Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE)

(ISC)2 Certification:
Certified Information Systems Security Professional - ISSEP (CISSP)
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Certified Authorization Professional (CAP)

Qord

That's a pretty ambitious list! While it's nice to dream and plan, I think you need to be a little more realistic with it. I'd say to focus on a much more short term, like 3-5 years as opposed to 15 years. In 15 years all of those certs will have changed, and some might not even exist anymore. If security is where you want to be, then I think you should direct your attention there. I see a handful of "in progress" certs listed there, but are they all really relevant to where you want to be? I'd say to definitely continue on with Sec+, but if it were me I'd move on to CEH, SSCP, and OSCP from there. Somewhere in there I'd mix in Linux and CWNA, and any re-cert's needed. After that I'd pursue more advanced studies and certs, but that's definitely how I'd start.

I'm not a real security guy, just my 2¢.

EDIT: Welcome to TE!!!

JDMurray

Basically what Qord said. You can't reliably make a certification plan for more than a few years into the future. Certs come and go in popularity and usefulness, and new certs are rising to prominence all the time. You are best to pick out jobs you want to work at in the next few years and concentrate on the certs those positions are asking for.