Based on my experience/certifications what should I do next?

LenniusceLenniusce Member Posts: 114 ■■■■□□□□□□
edited August 2021 in General Certification
Hello,

Based on the following, what would you guys recommend I do next in terms of job/certifications? Looking for advice. Thanks in advance!

Location: San Diego, CA
Working in IT: Since 2011
Working as Network Engineer: Since 2016
Current Job: Associate Manager / Network Systems Engineer - The sole network engineer in a large development team. Networking here is fairly easy for someone like me, no advanced protocols used.
Prior Job #1: Network Engineer IV - Government Contractor - Lead Manager over 3 direct reports. Didnt like leading so I found another job and got 20%
Prior Job #2: Network Engineer - Government Contractor - Left for 20%
Prior Job #3:Test Engineer - Government Contractor - Left for contract reasons
Prior Job #4: IT Specialist - MSP in San Diego as helpdesk/support for two companies Left for 20%

Education #1: MSIS from Auburn University
Education #2: MBA in ITM from WGU

Certifications: PMI PMP, CCNA, A+, N+ Sec+, Linux+, Server+, MCSA Server 2016
In Progress: CCNA:DEVNET or CISSP Done: PMP | A+ | N+ | S+ | L+ | P+ | MCSA 2016 | CCNA | CCNA:S(exp) | LPIC1(exp) | MBA IT Management | MS Information Systems

Comments

  • matt333matt333 Member Posts: 276 ■■■■□□□□□□
    edited August 2021
    Sounds like you want a more complex environment to work in. I'd say you can go everywhere. 5+ years of experience is enough to move to another network engineer role it just depends on what size of a company you prefer to work in. 
    Studying: Automating Everything, network API's, Python etc.. 
    Certifications: CCNP, CCDP, JNCIP-DC, JNCIS-DevOps, JNCIS-ENT, JNCIS-SP
  • JDMurrayJDMurray Admin Posts: 13,023 Admin
    What degrees/certs next depends on where you want to take your career next. Any ideas?
  • LenniusceLenniusce Member Posts: 114 ■■■■□□□□□□
    JDMurray said:
    What degrees/certs next depends on where you want to take your career next. Any ideas?
    I want to do a combination of networking but adding in network programming skills and network security.

    My currently company pays for: CISSP, all GIAC certifications, CISM, CISA regardless of whether or not I pass them.

    However, they DONT cover any Cisco certs. I kind of want to get the DEVNET but think the CISSP could be useful. Part of why I’m throwing this out there for ideas/input.
    In Progress: CCNA:DEVNET or CISSP Done: PMP | A+ | N+ | S+ | L+ | P+ | MCSA 2016 | CCNA | CCNA:S(exp) | LPIC1(exp) | MBA IT Management | MS Information Systems
  • JDMurrayJDMurray Admin Posts: 13,023 Admin
    Of those certs, CISSP has the best ROI across all of the InfoSec profession. However, free GIAC certs is very tempting, especially with their programming-oriented certs. Does that funding include the corresponding SANS training as well?
  • E Double UE Double U Member Posts: 2,228 ■■■■■■■■■■
    JDMurray said:
    Of those certs, CISSP has the best ROI across all of the InfoSec profession. However, free GIAC certs is very tempting, especially with their programming-oriented certs. Does that funding include the corresponding SANS training as well?
    I second this. All other certifications I would self-study for, but when an employer is willing to pay for SANS/GIAC I jump on it because I would never pay out of pocket with their high price tags. 
    Alphabet soup from (ISC)2, ISACA, GIAC, EC-Council, Microsoft, ITIL, Cisco, Scrum, CompTIA, AWS
  • LenniusceLenniusce Member Posts: 114 ■■■■□□□□□□
    JDMurray said:
    Of those certs, CISSP has the best ROI across all of the InfoSec profession. However, free GIAC certs is very tempting, especially with their programming-oriented certs. Does that funding include the corresponding SANS training as well?
    The offer training along with each cert. They offer about 170ish certs that can be taken without coming out-of-pocket up to 3 attempts.

    Here are some samples of exams they offer under the "Cyber" category:

    CAP - Certified Authorization Professional
    CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional
    Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
    Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
    CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
    CompTIA CySA+
    CompTIA Security+
    CSSLP - Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional
    EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
    GCED: GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender
    GCFA: GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst
    GCFE: GIAC Certified Forensics Examiner
    GCIA: GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst
    GCIH: GIAC Certified Incident Handler
    GCSA – GIAC Cloud Security Automation Certification
    GEVA - GIAC Enterprise Vulnerability Assessor
    GNFA: GIAC Network Forensic Analyst
    GPEN: GIAC Certified Penetration Tester
    GPYC: GIAC Python Coder
    GSLC: GIAC Security Leadership Certification
    GSTRT: GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership
    GWAPT: GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester
    GXPN: GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester
    Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA)
    Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)
    Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE)
    SaltStack Certified Administrator (SSCA)
    SaltStack Certified Engineer (SSCE)
    SSCP - Systems Security Certified Practitioner


    In Progress: CCNA:DEVNET or CISSP Done: PMP | A+ | N+ | S+ | L+ | P+ | MCSA 2016 | CCNA | CCNA:S(exp) | LPIC1(exp) | MBA IT Management | MS Information Systems
  • E Double UE Double U Member Posts: 2,228 ■■■■■■■■■■
    @Lenniusce - Since you mentioned network security, I would recommend SEC530 (GDSA) though I do not see it in the list above. That material was valuable for my previous network security role. 

    Is there a limitation on the amount of certifications you can do per year? Is there a requirement for you to stay employed with them for so long after achieving the credential or pay them back if you leave within so much time of obtaining it?

    As @JDMurray said CISSP has the best ROI, but I personally do not feel that training is necessary. Interested to see which direction you choose. Good luck either way.
    Alphabet soup from (ISC)2, ISACA, GIAC, EC-Council, Microsoft, ITIL, Cisco, Scrum, CompTIA, AWS
  • DatabaseHeadDatabaseHead Member Posts: 2,753 ■■■■■■■■■■
    I am in no way an industry expert in your space, but this one sounded pretty interesting.  

    CSSLP - Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional

    Just saying......  
  • SteveLavoieSteveLavoie Member Posts: 1,133 ■■■■■■■■■□
    edited August 2021
    CISSP is a certification well-suited for self-study. There is no way you can cram it in a bootcamp unless you had studied before. In your case, I would jump on any SANS/GIAC course because training is very good and price tag very high.. 
  • scascscasc Member Posts: 461 ■■■■■■■□□□
    For me, GIAC/SANS is incomparable. I think you will pick up some really great skills if you venture down and focus on this route. 
    AWS, Azure, GCP, ISC2, GIAC, ISACA, TOGAF, SABSA, EC-Council, Comptia...
  • TechGromitTechGromit Member Posts: 2,156 ■■■■■■■■■□
    Lenniusce said:

    My currently company pays for: CISSP, all GIAC certifications, CISM, CISA regardless of whether or not I pass them.

    Wow! They hiring. :p  My company was paying for training and certs, but once they were compliant with the regulations issued by the Nuclear Regulatory commission, the training budget got cut. I even have to pay for renewals on my one dime now. :/ 

    Still searching for the corner in a round room.
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