I am thinking of adding the CompTIA Security+ Certification to my tool belt. Anybody been down this road? How hard is the test? Is it worth the $225?
CompTIA Security+ Certification
- Thread starter daveshel
- Start date
rh71
No Lifer
- Aug 28, 2001
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I can say that CompTIA exams are pretty worthless in the sense that nobody looks for them. I have a couple... technically useless...
But here ya go.
I'm still aiming for Master CIW and that's probably even more worthless.
But here ya go.
I'm still aiming for Master CIW and that's probably even more worthless.
I can use it as an elective for an MCSE or for the MCSA: Security specialization. I already have the MCSA.
SagaLore
Elite Member
- Dec 18, 2001
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I have taken Security+ training and also attempted the exam.
I was just shy a few points of passing. Will retake soon.
I know that many of the CompTIA certifications are regarded as obsolete these days, but Security+ is fairly new and comes from a recognized vendor. It would be great to have.
What does the rest of your tool belt look like?
I was just shy a few points of passing. Will retake soon.
I know that many of the CompTIA certifications are regarded as obsolete these days, but Security+ is fairly new and comes from a recognized vendor. It would be great to have.
What does the rest of your tool belt look like?
Originally posted by: rh71
in that case, enjoy the vouchers.
Thanks.
I have:
MCSA
MCSA2003
1 additional MCP toward the MCSE
CNA (4 and 5)
A+
Network+
Man I need to get in this cert game. Do you guys feel these are helping you find jobs? I have no certs currently, but I do have a BS in MIS. I'm considering getting a CCNA, but what I really want to focus on is security, eventually getting a CISSP. Maybe starting with a security+ is the better way to go for me. I can then get the MCSA: Security specialization.
rh71
No Lifer
- Aug 28, 2001
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In short, experience beats all. Otherwise if they only have a piece of paper to judge between you and another similar skillset guy, then you have an advantage. Don't think of it as a sure-ticket.
On the contrary, some companies like to home-grow their own (training) instead of paying a higher salary to an experienced guy. Depends on the job/company.
AnyMal
Lifer
- Nov 21, 2001
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Let me illustrate this for you. Imagine, you're a hiring manager with a position open for one tech. You have two candidates applying for the job with roughly the same skill set and experience. The only difference is one of them has (insert certification here) cert under his/her belt.
Who are you most likely to choose for the position?
I have four years experience in desktop support and technical support, but that isn't really getting my foot in the door. That's why I want to get some certs, to at least have that on my resume. Most HR people I've interviewed with don't give two sh!ts about my background, and are more concerned with the fact that I don't have a cert.
Trying to decide what direction to go though. I'm thinking since I want to go security, maybe an MCSA with the security specialization is the good route. If so, then starting with an A+ and Network+ isn't a bad idea, because I can use them for electives on the MCSA. Or I thought of getting a CCNA. It's hard to decide where to focus your time and money, I don't want to make a mistake and end up with something I can't use.
Sorry to jack your thread daveshel.
SagaLore
Elite Member
- Dec 18, 2001
- 24,036
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Originally posted by: daveshel
Originally posted by: rh71
in that case, enjoy the vouchers.
Thanks.
I have:
MCSA
MCSA2003
1 additional MCP toward the MCSE
CNA (4 and 5)
A+
Network+
Get the Security+, and go for the CCNA. Knowing how to lockdown your routers and WAN is a plus.
I just came back from SCNP training, which is not a well known cert yet, but definitely worthwhile.
Don't you have to have two years experience in security related stuff to even get a security+? Since I have no certs at all (just a BS degree), would starting with A+ and Network+, then MCSA, then security+, then MCSA: security, then CCNA the best route?
SagaLore
Elite Member
- Dec 18, 2001
- 24,036
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No, you can take the Security+ anytime.
Skip the A+, unless you just want to do it for fun.
If your target job is a security position, then do what I do - setup a Monster.com search, for all states, and filter by keyword "security". Then just watch the job postings. Look at jobs that interest you and start meeting those requirements.
I used the A+/Net+ elective option for my MCSA. Both were easy exams because I have a lot of experience.
We recently (since late September) hired 50 new support folks (front-line phone support).
HR and the hiring managers wouldn't consider anyone that did not have a current CCNA (or what they considered equivelent). We had a number of fairly experienced people apply, but if they didn't have the paper, they didn't get the interview (includes most with at least a four year degree).
It's pure BS, IMHO, but that's the reality of Corporate hiring practices. It's an easy filter.
Security is a little different. Any Security paper has to be backed up by a couple years experience in the trenches. Most companies (that I'm aware of) are not interested in putting their corporate goodies under the care of someone who has only read the book and taken the test.
As previously pointed out, the best path into corporate security (or consulting, or, or, or, ...) is to get in the door, earn your stripes, make your bones, and get there from within.
FWIW
Scott
HR and the hiring managers wouldn't consider anyone that did not have a current CCNA (or what they considered equivelent). We had a number of fairly experienced people apply, but if they didn't have the paper, they didn't get the interview (includes most with at least a four year degree).
It's pure BS, IMHO, but that's the reality of Corporate hiring practices. It's an easy filter.
Security is a little different. Any Security paper has to be backed up by a couple years experience in the trenches. Most companies (that I'm aware of) are not interested in putting their corporate goodies under the care of someone who has only read the book and taken the test.
As previously pointed out, the best path into corporate security (or consulting, or, or, or, ...) is to get in the door, earn your stripes, make your bones, and get there from within.
FWIW
Scott
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