What are the logical steps to CISSP?

I'm looking to have a career in IT security and was wondering what the most logical steps are to achieve the CISSP certification. I'm currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution that will eventually give me a bachelors in Network Security Administration, which I assume will help my resume.

The certifications I currently have are A+ and Network+, and I am currently studying for Security+. Which certifications should I pursue after those to get CISSP? Do I need any Cisco (CCNA/CCNP) or Microsoft certs? Or should I get CISA, CISM, then CISSP?

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Comments

holysheetman

if you have a few years experience in a few of the domains (there are 10) that the CISSP consists of, then I would attempt the exam. If not, then you should attempt the junior level certs as you've already mentioned as a stepping stone towards the CISSP. Just google anything on "CISSP study guide" or whatever and you'll find a plethora of avenues you can go. Hope this helps and good luck!

RedGaiter

holysheetman wrote: »

if you have a few years experience in a few of the domains (there are 10) that the CISSP consists of, then I would attempt the exam. If not, then you should attempt the junior level certs as you've already mentioned as a stepping stone towards the CISSP. Just google anything on "CISSP study guide" or whatever and you'll find a plethora of avenues you can go. Hope this helps and good luck!

I'll most likely have to go the junior level cert route. I just don't know which ones to get exactly.

da_vato

Security+ is a good stepping stone as it will allow you to offset one year of experience. After that though I would pursue a CCNA if I were you because it would accent your degree and give you a better understanding of how a network is functioning. Then gear up for the CISSP.

RedGaiter

da_vato wrote: »

Security+ is a good stepping stone as it will allow you to offset one year of experience. After that though I would pursue a CCNA if I were you because it would accent your degree and give you a better understanding of how a network is functioning. Then gear up for the CISSP.

So assuming I go for CCNA, would you recommend also getting CCNP? And if I were to follow your advise, would you recommend going straight for the CISSP afterwards, or obtaining CISA and CISM before CISSP?

TechGuy215

I would try to get an entry-level InfoSec job... all those certs don't mean much without experience to go along with it.

RedGaiter

TechGuy215 wrote: »

I would try to get an entry-level InfoSec job... all those certs don't mean much without experience to go along with it.

I understand certs are almost meaningless without any experience. I'm starting my school program next week and it's a 4 year program, so I'm trying to knock out as many certs as I can while I'm in school. I'll also be looking for a co-op job in the field while I'm in school.

ajs1976

I think a good path is Sec+ --> CASP / SSCP --> CISSP / CISM / CISA. CISSP & CISM focus on management aspect, will CISA is auditing, but all three require experience.

da_vato

RedGaiter wrote: »

So assuming I go for CCNA, would you recommend also getting CCNP? And if I were to follow your advise, would you recommend going straight for the CISSP afterwards, or obtaining CISA and CISM before CISSP?

(If I were you) After the CCNA go for CISSP and you'll be pretty desirable on paper, after that you will know if you want to bother with CCNP.