Which Book Did You Use to Pass Poll

Sybex, Deluxe Ed (2006) = intro & adequate survey
Syngress 2nd Ed (2007)= if you really want to learn something

Sybex may be okay for a pass (which surprises me, except for those with pretty solid IT background already), but its intro level skimming of the most interesting and complex topics frustrated me to no end. I want to *know* and *understand* security concepts; not just get a "here's the jargon" treatment of it.

Note: Sybex has one of the worst and error-riddled TCP/IP overviews I've ever seen in print.

gojericho0

Syngress Book +1

jdixon63

snadam wrote:

along with the passport book, I found the sybex to be a GREAT book for this exam. you will find most others agree.

Actually, I disagree strongly. If you haven't bought your book yet, sybex is okay for overview and encapsulating relevant exam jargon, but you won't get much practical benefit from it (except for the practical application appendix).

If you're still trying to decide, pick a book that will help you prep, plus will make you a more knowledgeable and capable professional (like syngress 2nd Ed or other). Unfamiliar with IT security?...then sybex is a decent intro/overview.

Vogon Poet

Use more than one textbook & more than one practice test (independent of textbooks used) and you should be fine. Helps to have experience w/ servers or at least one server exam/cert under your belt to find info meaningful. Harder to learn and not as useful if it's one of your first certs.

Goldmember

I used Sybex and thought the coverage was too light.

Sybex was not good enough IMO.

rickfray

I primarily used Sybex, 2nd Edition and Exam Cram2 a little as that was provided at a bootcamp I went to. But even those two together were inadequate. It took me two tries, and I saw questions/answers/topics that neither book covered.