Re: Entry Level Certifications

Matt,

A couple years ago I found myself asking the same questions with little hands-on experience and no formal training in a field that, at that time, was largely foreign. If you have spent any amount of time looking at certifications, you will find there are many options available. These are just a couple that may help you.

I started with a Cisco CCNA material. Although I never became certified, the topics covered and the detail provided, in my opinion, provides an excellent foundation for anyone working with networks or network infrastructures. Although the Cisco CCNA does teach their product, there are many core fundamentals gained while going through the certification process. Check out www.cisco.com / Learning & Events / CCNA.

Fortunately I had a couple mentors that helped ?guide the way? by recommending GIAC certification(s). I went to a GSEC (security essentials) conference and later a GCIA (intrusion analyst) conference. Both of which I earned silver certifications. Check out GIAC at http://www.giac.org/ or the SANS Institute for conferences http://www.sans.org/.

Keep in mind that most certifications will be valid for a limited time (2-4 years). That is, you must ?do something? to maintain your certification. In addition, most certifications teach, what I call, hard-skills ?how to configure an access-list? or ?how to optimize a server application?. The soft-skills are often overlooked ?how to report an incident to management? or ?how to communicate to peers why change is necessary or beneficial?.

In my opinion, I see these certifications as stepping stones toward the CISSP. Again, I think there are many ways of getting there and no ?right? or ?wrong? way of doing it.

Hope this helps.
Jason

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE
The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management
education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience.
Tailor your education to your own professional goals with degree
customizations including Emergency Management, Business Continuity Planning,
Computer Emergency Response Teams, and Digital Investigations.

http://www.msia.norwich.edu/secfocus
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Relevant Pages

  • RE: Windows Log
    ... > EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE ... > The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management ... > education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. ... > Computer Emergency Response Teams, ...
    (Security-Basics)
  • RE: Re: University Degree or CISSP
    ... Subject: Re: Re: University Degree or CISSP ... > And a college education will benefit you until the day you die. ... >> Planning, Computer Emergency Response Teams, and Digital Investigations. ... >> The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management ...
    (Security-Basics)
  • Re: Securing Blackberries
    ... > EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE ... > The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management ... > Tailor your education to your own professional goals with degree ... > Computer Emergency Response Teams, ...
    (Security-Basics)
  • Re: Windows Log
    ... >> EARN A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION ASSURANCE - ONLINE ... >> The Norwich University program offers unparalleled Infosec management ... >> education and the case study affords you unmatched consulting experience. ... >> Computer Emergency Response Teams, ...
    (Security-Basics)
  • RE: University Degree or CISSP
    ... I have a CISSP. ... There are other ways to obtain an education, ... > University program offers unparalleled Infosec management education ... > Computer Emergency Response Teams, ...
    (Security-Basics)