TacoRocket wrote: » They sure do love to have the GSEC as a corner stone for a lot of their stuff. Its here for this certificate they have and its also required for the GSE (you can substitute it for the GCUX and GCWN). I think if you can handle the 501 they should forego requiring 401. Thoughts anyone?
mactex wrote: » I'm not paying for it and not currently in a security role; so I don't mind the review. Plus you get some decent labs and Dr Eric Cole stories as only he can tell them. For more experienced security peeps; i would agree.
TranceSoulBrother wrote: » I'm definitely eyeing one of these certs since it qualifies for GI Bill reimbursement. I don't know which would be better. This cert or the Incident Response one?
mactex wrote: » I am burning some Chapter 33 months on it. Worth it IMO.
TranceSoulBrother wrote: » Do you fly to Baltimore or doing the on demand option?
TechGromit wrote: » So they have you take the GSEC AND the GCED? Sounds like a waste of 5 grand to me. I'm also not clear what you end up when your completed, a Cyber Defense Operations certificate? While the GIAC certifications are valuable, I've never heard of any employer that places any value in this certificate.
TacoRocket wrote: » I see it as what CompTIA is doing when you get a certain set of their certs. Not a deal breaker but a nice goal to set for if you're just taking their exams randomly.
globalenjoi wrote: » I'm currently working on the Core Engineering certificate using my GI Bill benefits. While I can't speak to your particular certificate, I will say there is definitely value in the certificate program, especially if you're looking for options for the GI Bill. I was looking at graduate programs and trying to find high-level, technical programs that would offer a good return on the investment. Since the GI Bill can't be used to cover any real IT/infosec, the STI certificates looked to be the best choice for strong, technical training. I kind of thought the GSEC wouldn't be worth it, since I already had Sec+ and I didn't expect GSEC to cover much more valuable information. But since I don't have a strong technical background, it didn't seem like a bad place to start. My main regret is that if I had done one of the other certificate programs, I wouldn't be super nervous about writing a paper for my GCIA course at the end of the year!
mactex wrote: » Curious as to why you say it would be a waste? If you have both the GSEC and GCED; I would value the feedback. Thanks.
TechGromit wrote: » While I do not posses a GCED certification, one of my co-workers did attend both courses. The GCED is basically the GSEC but more in-depth. GSEC is the more commonly recognized certification of the two and the GCED is a higher level certification. It's possible to take the GCED without the GSEC if you have some security experience or perhaps a Security+ training. The reason I say it's a waste, at $5,000 a course (taking it as part of the Cyber Defense Ops program), normally the courses are $6,000, the money is better spent on other courses that are not so much alike.
globalenjoi wrote: » I don't think you're wrong necessarily. But there are only 4 different certificates, and I don't believe you can swap the courses out unless it's designated an elective. So he's kind of faced with either taking that certificate, taking a different one, or taking none at all. Core Engineering would probably be the next best option, but then you get one less course AND you have to write a Gold Paper for the GCIA portion. It'd be amazing if you could just use the GI Bill directly for an individual course, separate from the graduate certificate program. Personally, I would have rather taken the Penetration Testing program and started with the GCIH, but my current job doesn't have as much use for the training and my employer preferred me to start with GSEC. They were actually going to send me to the GSEC on their own dime, but I worked out an arrangement where I do the graduate cert using my VA benefits, and they send me to Baltimore so I can attend in person and still receive my housing benefit. It's worked out great, as I was able to purchase the full PTP course from ELS using a chunk of the housing allowance.
mactex wrote: » Sure, I can see that. I think what is being missed here is that it is a graduate school certificate. Meaning the credits are transferable to an M.S. program. So If I were to matriculate to one of STI's M.S. programs the credits are applicable.
TacoRocket wrote: » While you are correct, you cannot do any of the work study programs if you're doing their Master's program. Which a lot of people on this forum do. Not arguing but to point an extra DP on the subject. Overall any cert is a good cert!
mactex wrote: » Good points. The goal for me is to increase proficiency in defensive security, as I believe the market will be saturated with pen testers in the near future. I may complete the GCCC and then switch to Core Engineering to get the GCIH. After reading historical posts about the GCED; I think Techgrommit is probably right. It is unfortunate that I have to think about using "GCED Avoidance Tactics". I'm not afraid of writing papers; so no big deal there. Were you able to access the on demand in addition to attending Baltimore for your class? Looking at going in the fall for the same reasons.
globalenjoi wrote: » I didn't have access to the on demand part, but I did get the audio for the course. Honestly, I don't know if I would have used any on-demand material after attending the course in person. I didn't even listen to the audio when prepping for the exam, but that's mostly because I study more effectively by reading. I think the most valuable course in the Core Engineering program will be the GCIA, though I've heard the course is pretty tough.
