Where to go after Security+? Need some clarity

RithMik

Hi there. I'll be taking my Security+ exam in a about a month, and was hoping someone could provide me with some input on where to go next. I currently have A+, as well, but my interests have always 100% had to with information security. More specifically, I'd like to analyze compromised systems and offer a solution, or monitor potential break-ins as they occur. I have some free time for about 2 months, so studying sounds great. Thanks so much!

redz

E|CIH or other incident response-type certifications may be what you're looking for, that's what I would probably recommend based on what you've said.

GCIH is probably a more respected option, but if my memory serves, GIAC exam attempts are ridiculously priced if you self-study (~$1000). I will never bother with one and will never recommend anyone else cater to their impudent, greedy business model.

EDIT: Obligatory "Welcome to TE", and you're intending to self-study, right?

n8236

Do you have any job experience? If so, what do you do? Do you have a lab at home? What other infosec books do you read?

These are very important questions because it tells others how immersed you are with the topic.

RithMik

Ah, thank you for the welcome! As far as experience, I really don't have any under an employer, so obviously that already is a huge strike against me; however, I do have friends who are extremely disciplined with their certification-studying who do quite well for themselves, some even without college degrees, so that has been a motivating factor in and of itself.

I've been sort of obsessed with the way digital information moves, is exploited, and is secured for quite a few years, but only recently have begun to REALLY study. Right now I'm reading Darril Gibson's Security+ book, and "Internetworking with TCP/IP: Principles, Protocols and Architecture." I've also spent a lot of time with "BackTrack5 Wireless Penetration Testing for Beginners," which is something I found incredibly interesting.

Darril

Welcome to the forums RithMik.

Many people consider the CISSP to be a premier security certification and pursue the SSCP as a stepping stone on the path to the CISSP after the Security+. The C|EH certification is more technical in nature and might be more of what you're looking for.

RithMik

Thanks so much! I loved your book

Darril

RithMik wrote: »

Thanks so much! I loved your book

Thank you!