Cert Career Map

I often get the question “Which certification path should I take?”. Unfortunately, every answer I end up giving boils down to “it depends” which never really answers the question. Instead, I have created a map of the IT certification landscape. It is definitely not all encompassing and would like to start drilling down a bit further. For now though it should serve as a general way forward for those interested in progressing through their career.

Please feel free to add constructive criticism. I’ll make changes and additions as we go.

Map Explanation:

From bottom to top – The higher up the chart you go the more demanding and difficult the certification should be. Certifications of different colors on the same level are supposed to be of equal difficulty. I tried to extend the bubble of each cert over the categories for each knowledge base.

For example if you wanted to be a top level forensic analyst you would need to follow the forensics path in addition to experience and degrees that would naturally be required for the higher level positions. Some bottom level certifications can be skipped; others are skipped at your own peril.

I really hope this will give a graphical view of what cert you should pursue within your own goals.

Again, I would love some constructive criticism to make it better and to give further insight into some of the other areas of IT that I am not as familiar with.

Security Certification Progression Chart v 3.0.jpg

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Comments

Khaos1911

Man, I was sitting here thinking I'm about to knock out GCIA and GCIH and then go after my next position which would hopefully be a SOC Analyst for the gov't or gov't contractor and then I saw this thread mention having GCFA and GCFE and I was about to kill myself, lol. I think I need a loonnnnggg break from certs after I'm done with these GIAC's. I don't even want to think about CISSP at the moment...I need a beer.

jaywalker

Just wanted to thank OP and everyone else for their contributions to this thread. For someone interested in network administration and security, this helped clear up a lot of the confusion I had. Looks like I'm goin' CCENT and straight to CCNA: Sec if I decide to pursue the Cisco route. What would be the best vendor neutral route (if any) for someone interested in net admin and security?

Thanks everyone.

SephStorm

The truth, there isn't one the best you can do is to mix vendors.

jaywalker

Yeah, I thought so. I'll proceed with the CCENT > CCNA: Sec route and hold off on the CCNA: R/S for now. Thanks for your input

timesvan32

Currently, I was thinking about this path for myself when I graduate in 2 years. My goal is solidify a foundation where I can land a Network Admin or Sys Admin type of role.

Net+ -> CCENT R&S -> MSCA Windows 8 -> CCNA R&S -> MCSE Desktop or Server Infrastructure

Drackar

Here is what I have so far. I apologize to daceto for converting everything to visio, clearly the better choice. Unfortunately, I don't have it at work. So, I cant make changes in visio. I stuck with power point for the time being.

I am still making changes. So, keep them coming. I have some glaring shortfalls in some of the positions. I'll work on improving them on the next iteration, particularly the sys admin area.

If you think I need to make corrections to a field that you have experience in let me know.

power point version: HERE (version 4.0)

** I have some management certs listed along the bottom. I have not placed them yet. They will eventually make their way into the management area.

SephStorm

timesvan32 wrote: »

Currently, I was thinking about this path for myself when I graduate in 2 years. My goal is solidify a foundation where I can land a Network Admin or Sys Admin type of role.

Net+ -> CCENT R&S -> MSCA Windows 8 -> CCNA R&S -> MCSE Desktop or Server Infrastructure

It's just CCENT, not CCENT R&S. Windows 8 will almost certainly never be deployed in enterprises. I really don't think its going to happen. My .02.

EDIT: Drac, i'd replace Snort CP with SFCP, primarily because I don't think many enterprises deploy straight Snort, its almost always a personalized version.

LionelTeo

yes its kinda funny that is sometimes a requirement for high end SOCs, but you probably won't use it. Other skills like Arcsight and SOC experince also matters to move between SOC. So Forensic isn't mandatory, but at my future work place, they are differentiating level 1 and level 2 due to forensics.

colemic

SephStorm wrote: »

Is 6S still a thing? Yeah, I didn't include them on my list because They aren't directly IT certs TMK, but feel free to add them. Honestly I've never met anyone who attempted to use either in a way that benefited an organization.

Heh. In some places it's still a big deal... agree about the value though.

daceto

Drackar wrote: »

Here is what I have so far. I apologize to daceto for converting everything to visio, clearly the better choice. Unfortunately, I don't have it at work. So, I cant make changes in visio. I stuck with power point for the time being.

I am still making changes. So, keep them coming. I have some glaring shortfalls in some of the positions. I'll work on improving them on the next iteration, particularly the sys admin area.

If you think I need to make corrections to a field that you have experience in let me know.

power point version: HERE (version 4.0)

** I have some management certs listed along the bottom. I have not placed them yet. They will eventually make their way into the management area.

No worries. I will adjust what I have for this latest version. I dont mind.

Drackar

Thanks daceto. Then ill buy Visio and install it for future changes.

daceto

Whew! This thing is getting a bit tight. LOL.

I have completed the changes to the Visio side.

Here is the new version:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12781860/Sec-path.vsd

Drackar

lol, Thanks daceto!