Plese advise what cert route to take for extremely rapid ascent

luking · April 2015

First a little bit about myself.
I am MCSE (WIN NT WIN 2K) MSDBA N+ etc.
I work as a Technical Support Specialist in a well know big corp. and somehow became lazy and got stuck. Have been doing it for over 15 years now. My job scope is very wide and involves interacting with irate clients/ using remote assistance tools/ examine and fix OS related issues/ fix extremely complex problems/ examine workflows/ work with linux/windows, escalation of software bugs/ work with development engineers etc. Lately a lot of new third party applications have been thrown at me to support with minimal/no training.
I touch all aspects of networking and even perform basic security tests etc. but I don't have in depth or hand on knowledge of even basic networking/server administration.
I recently decided to move to Cyber security field. I am mainly looking for a
1. Very high paying job, at least $100 K
2. Ability to move to California (I am in North America)
3. Preferably a job that is not just 100% technical but has management/ sales/ documentation/ implementation etc.
I hope to clear CCENT this month and CCNA Security in May.
I also hope to clear Security in June.
Based on above facts and desires, can you guys please guide me a little as to which cert and career route I should take? Perhaps CCENT-CCNA Security-CCNP etc.? Or should I aim for CCIE or CISSP?
Ideally I would love to start $100K job before X Mas this year.
Please feel free to ask any questions.
Thanks in advance

TheFORCE · April 2015

If you do not know yourself, how are you expecting others to know what you want? You can be told what to do, or you can figure it out on your own. One path requires someone that is confident in himself and the other requires someone that is a follower. From your post I gather you are looking only for the money. If you do not love what you do, you will end up with the same predicament even if you have a CCIE a CISSP a CCNA or any other certification.

Jon_Cisco · April 2015

I am not following the logic here. Your saying you do it all and you don't know the basics of server or network administration.

If you are simply stuck start working towards your next goal. If you have the mindset to learn and push for a change it will start to happen. Why not get your CCENT then make the decision about going for your CCIE. I don't have the real answers for you but I do know that you need start small. Getting started is the hardest part.

Good Luck!

PJ_Sneakers · April 2015

You're an MCSE on NT and 2K, have an MCDBA cert, and you have Network+... but you are saying that you have very little knowledge of basic networking or server administration? Isn't that what the MCSE certs and the Network+ cert is supposed to certify you in? Your list of job responsibilities appears to touch on SA and NA, but you don't seem to think you know anything about it?

I'm confused. You are either selling yourself short, or you're trolling us.

nster · April 2015

I think he means he has no Network Admin or Server/System Admin type of experience

Danielm7 · April 2015

Lately when I see threads like this I try to think of it from the other end, basically, why should someone pay you over 100K in a field you don't have any real experience in over the next few months?

For certs, you don't even have a CCENT yet and feel you don't have higher level networking knowledge, then the CCIE is literally years away, assuming you work your butt of in strictly Cisco networking. Also, CCIE has almost nothing to do with the typical security job, it's Sr network engineer/architect level. I work with a few CCIEs, they are super sharp on the network side and they can answer every network question I have immediately but none of them would say they have any sort of security focus.

The CISSP would be good, assuming you could pass the requirements and of course the exam itself. Look into the requirements for taking the exam. You'd still be trying to get into security with a cert that assumes 5 years in the field while not really having a past security job to show.

Here is something all people wanting to get into security should think about, because it seems like everyone lately wants to get in hearing about good salaries and high demand... are you REALLY interested in security? I mean like read about it every day? Follow all the trends, new exploits, news updates, etc? Do you have a lab of VMs at home where you are playing with tools on your own time? If not, then start doing that first, if you are still really driven to keep doing that and extremely interested in that in another month or two, then sure, start plotting a path to get into the field. If you only want to get into it because the idea of calling yourself a hacker sounds cool and you think you'll make 6 figures out of the gate you might be in for a rude awakening.

Goteki54 · April 2015

Jon_Cisco wrote: »

I am not following the logic here. Your saying you do it all and you don't know the basics of server or network administration.

If you are simply stuck start working towards your next goal. If you have the mindset to learn and push for a change it will start to happen. Why not get your CCENT then make the decision about going for your CCIE. I don't have the real answers for you but I do know that you need start small. Getting started is the hardest part.

Good Luck!

It's called "being the jack of all trades but the master of none".:)

Goteki54 · April 2015

I think the problem you are having is that you have certification overload, you are all over the place, like a dog chasing it's tail in a circle. First off, having a ton of certs isn't going to help you advance and make more money in IT. Having the "right certifications" concentrating" in the IT field you have have interest and that is also in demand by companies will take care of that. In other words, just "focus" like a laser beam on a particular area of interest and become the master of it.

luking · April 2015

nster wrote: »

I think he means he has no Network Admin or Server/System Admin type of experience

Correct.
All
First of all hanks for sparing time to write your input. I will try to address the questions raised a little bit later.
In order to not get side swiped, lets just remove me from equation and redefine the question as
What is the fastest route for someone to clinch a $100K job within a year starting from just CCENT.
Is CCENT to CCNA Security plus to CCNP will do it?

aderon · April 2015

luking wrote: »

Correct.
All
First of all hanks for sparing time to write your input. I will try to address the questions raised a little bit later.
In order to not get side swiped, lets just remove me from equation and redefine the question as
What is the fastest route for someone to clinch a $100K job within a year starting from just CCENT.
Is CCENT to CCNA Security plus to CCNP will do it?

Assuming little or no prior knowledge in networking? Honestly, I don't think it's possible to do within one year.

nster · April 2015

Even if you manage to get a CCIE right now, I think it still isn't something that is doable. Knowledge is good, but experience is a huge factor when getting hired. I know more than my boss, yet I make 38K he makes 70K, that's because I have 4 years experience in Tech support and 2 years with my current employer as ~IT Desktop and Network specialist, while he has 10 years as a "Network" or more like Systems Admin. He has a VCP now though, but that is it, no bachelors or anything. Now I know if I move companies I could potentially make 50K+, but still a far cry from 70K.

But the quickest way would be to b-line for a CCIE and get a CISSP associate and being f***king impressive in interviews. You would probably have to quit your job and study 60 hours a week and be gifted to be able to do that in any reasonable amount of time, after which you'd hope to get a job in the 70+K range with potential to go up quickly if they are impressed. Do note that CCIE would put you more in Network than in Security field though, more like Network and Security Engineer or something.

CISA and CISM are out of your reach because of prereqs I believe. Take what I say with a grain of salt though, I don't know much about Network or Security

LeBroke · April 2015

Short answer, won't happen. nster's post above is probably the best recipe you'll get.

Keep in mind, if you move to San Fran, you might get 100k for a mid-level sysadmin position... which will be the same as getting 45k pretty much everywhere else when you factor in the cost of living.

Windows system administration experience is not very useful if your only goal is to earn a large salary. Unfortunately, low-level Windows admins are a dime a dozen, since that's what most people start off doing, get experience in, and learn in schools.

Both information security and networking have two main problems: it's very difficult to break into the field. Generally, you are completely useless until you have some decent real world experience, no matter how well trained and certed up you are. What you learn in for certs often has very little to do with how it actually works in the real world (especially on the infosec side). You'd be surprised how few people follow best practices, or even care about the proper way of doing things. A great many things in IT have been built literally by Googling "How to X" and following the most popular guide, with all the issues that often entails (like not really understanding the technology behind it). Not even from any malice - chances are your boss has gone "I know none of you know how to do this, but whatever, you're IT, you can figure it out, I'm not paying for a consultant."

Hence, you will need at least a few years experience. If you want to get into infosec, the only easy way to break in (assuming you're not a l337 black hat who wants to turn into a white hat) is to work in a SOC for a few years, get experience, and then move in to either pentesting, or in-house security. If you want to get into networking, you'll need to either have experience at your day job, or get something like a data centre/ISP job where you'll get to touch switches (and eventually, routers). It's easier to get into and learn on the job, but takes longer to pay off (probably 5+ years to reach your goal of 100k).

PS: I'm talking about average cost of living areas. Not Cali/New York, but not Tulsa, Oklahoma either.

philz1982 · April 2015

Alright,

Why Cyber Security?
What aspect?

Once you've done this identify a role that pays 100k on indeed or glassdoor.

Then do a gap analysis what skills do you have which ones do you not have?
Can you gain these skills in the amount of time you'd like to?
If so then close the gap and pursue the job. If not move onto another job and repeat the above steps.

Next look at CoLA. Cali is ridiculous. San Fran 100k is equal to 60k in Milwaukee where I live. Is that acceptable to you?

TechGuru80 · April 2015

The value of 100k varies based on where in California. Let's say we are talking about a lower cost area maybe Sacramento or something. Well with no security experience or background it will be hard to get to that level. Why did you not renew your MCSE? Do you know any scripting? CISSP, CCIE, CEH are the bees knees when it comes to security. The CEH probably fits in around the CCNA or NP and the CISSP after that. Those all will require quite a bit of effort but you will be high tier if you have those plus experience.

philz1982 · April 2015

TechGuru80 wrote: »

The value of 100k varies based on where in California. Let's say we are talking about a lower cost area maybe Sacramento or something. Well with no security experience or background it will be hard to get to that level. Why did you not renew your MCSE? Do you know any scripting? CISSP, CCIE, CEH are the bees knees when it comes to security. The CEH probably fits in around the CCNA or NP and the CISSP after that. Those all will require quite a bit of effort but you will be high tier if you have those plus experience.

I think all of us are wasting our time suggesting anything until he has pinpointed a job and done a gap analysis otherwise certs are all based on our own personal biases.

IIIMaster · April 2015

Whoa !!!

philz1982 · April 2015

Hey I included myself in the wasting our time category

PJ_Sneakers · April 2015

I think he has pinpointed a job: anything that will pay him six figures within a year.

philz1982 · April 2015

If he can find a way to go without sleep for a whole year he only needs to make $11.6/hr to make 100k.

E Double U · April 2015

Learn the secret handshake. I think blackmail still works too.

luking · April 2015

nster wrote: »

Even if you manage to get a CCIE right now, I think it still isn't something that is doable. Knowledge is good, but experience is a huge factor when getting hired. I know more than my boss, yet I make 38K he makes 70K, that's because I have 4 years experience in Tech support and 2 years with my current employer as ~IT Desktop and Network specialist, while he has 10 years as a "Network" or more like Systems Admin. He has a VCP now though, but that is it, no bachelors or anything. Now I know if I move companies I could potentially make 50K+, but still a far cry from 70K.

But the quickest way would be to b-line for a CCIE and get a CISSP associate and being f***king impressive in interviews. You would probably have to quit your job and study 60 hours a week and be gifted to be able to do that in any reasonable amount of time, after which you'd hope to get a job in the 70+K range with potential to go up quickly if they are impressed. Do note that CCIE would put you more in Network than in Security field though, more like Network and Security Engineer or something.

CISA and CISM are out of your reach because of prereqs I believe. Take what I say with a grain of salt though, I don't know much about Network or Security

Your post did tell me what I wanted to know.
Thanks a lot.

philz1982 · April 2015

With a CCIE and CISSP he could easily make 140-180 Base at a VAR. They would hire him simply for the Certs.

nster · April 2015

they usually require 10+ years experience in the field, would someone really hire someone who got a CCIE and CISSP in 6 months with no experience whatsoever? Then again, CCIE + CISSP starting from CCENT knowledge is probably impossible in 6 months

anhtran35 · April 2015

Base on the OP experience and current certifications? IMPOSSIBLE within the IT field. Perhaps the overseas high threat jobs( Iraq/Afghanistan/Somalia ) with government contracting company such as DynCorp or KBR. Otherwise, you can try working 2 full time jobs.

Plese advise what cert route to take for extremely rapid ascent

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