Are You a Security Wizard? Take the QUIZ...

Elite Override said:
Could you elaborate a bit please? Once I have finished studying in 3 years time, I'd like to do some security courses as well. Any ones in particular that you would recommend?
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Cisco CCNA - def worth knowing networking as it fits in closely to firewalls/security.
Certified Ethical Hacker - was a fun exam. Purely practical stuff.
CISSP - if your going to go into security then this is def the one to go for. Its still a well respected cert. Only do this once you have some background knowledge on IT/Security. Its a 6 hour exam and cost about R3000
CCSE - Checkpoint Certified Security Expert
Novell CLP - Certified linux professional - always handing having a linux cert or knowing linux. A lot of the security tools are linux based.
MSCE+S - boring :)

And a few others non security related :)
 
Elite Override said:
Could you elaborate a bit please? Once I have finished studying in 3 years time, I'd like to do some security courses as well. Any ones in particular that you would recommend?
Click to expand...

Which field are you looking at going into?
Can you elaborate on security qualifications?

CISSP and CEH seem to be in demand at the moment. Although its a fair amount of ram, not much cpu is needed to get them.
You can then get security qualifications in all different fields (more specific fields)


/EDIT/ I see greg beat me too it.

On his post, the CCSE is more in line with the CCSP (now CCNP security) qualification.
the CISSP is great, but you need to meet requirements of experience in certain fields
 
gregmcc said:
Cisco CCNA - def worth knowing networking as it fits in closely to firewalls/security.
Certified Ethical Hacker - was a fun exam. Purely practical stuff.
CISSP - if your going to go into security then this is def the one to go for. Its still a well respected cert. Only do this once you have some background knowledge on IT/Security. Its a 6 hour exam and cost about R3000
CCSE - Checkpoint Certified Security Expert
Novell CLP - Certified linux professional - always handing having a linux cert or knowing linux. A lot of the security tools are linux based.
MSCE+S - boring :)

And a few others non security related :)
Click to expand...

Very interesting, thank you. The Certified Ethical Hacker is definitely on of the courses that would interest me most. Of course I will do some others before attempting that though.
 
tau1z said:
Which field are you looking at going into?
Can you elaborate on security qualifications?

CISSP and CEH seem to be in demand at the moment. Although its a fair amount of ram, not much cpu is needed to get them.
You can then get security qualifications in all different fields (more specific fields)


/EDIT/ I see greg beat me too it.

On his post, the CCSE is more in line with the CCSP (now CCNP security) qualification.
the CISSP is great, but you need to meet requirements of experience in certain fields
Click to expand...

I'm hoping to enter the security and penetration testing field, but I'll see how everything goes after I have finished my degree.
 
Elite Override said:
I'm hoping to enter the security and penetration testing field, but I'll see how everything goes after I have finished my degree.
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Penetration testing market has pretty much been cornered by a certain company.
For more unique types of VA scans and testings, you would find Security Dev's much more appropriate for this kind of work.
 
tau1z said:
Penetration testing market has pretty much been cornered by a certain company.
For more unique types of VA scans and testings, you would find Security Dev's much more appropriate for this kind of work.
Click to expand...

Certain company? Maybe I could end up working for them?
 
tau1z said:
the CISSP is great, but you need to meet requirements of experience in certain fields
Click to expand...

Yeah - you need to have a min of 5 years in the security field before they let you write the exam. But you could probably get away with 3.

You also need to accumulate a number of points (CPE's) - I think its 120 per 3 years. That way if you move out of the security field you will more than likely not be able to accumulate enough points and lose your cert. So companies that get people with CISSP certs are generally getting someone who knows what they are doing.

Pen tests are great fun - a nice field to be in. There are a few companies in SA they specialize in them but I've used a few of them are a lot of them are useless.

I've even thought about opening up my own company :)
 
gregmcc said:
Yeah - you need to have a min of 5 years in the security field before they let you write the exam. But you could probably get away with 3.

You also need to accumulate a number of points (CPE's) - I think its 120 per 3 years. That way if you move out of the security field you will more than likely not be able to accumulate enough points and lose your cert. So companies that get people with CISSP certs are generally getting someone who knows what they are doing.
Click to expand...

I never knew it was so complicated. But at least that would make greater demand for the qualification.
 
gregmcc said:
Yeah - you need to have a min of 5 years in the security field before they let you write the exam. But you could probably get away with 3.

You also need to accumulate a number of points (CPE's) - I think its 120 per 3 years. That way if you move out of the security field you will more than likely not be able to accumulate enough points and lose your cert. So companies that get people with CISSP certs are generally getting someone who knows what they are doing.

Pen tests are great fun - a nice field to be in. There are a few companies in SA they specialize in them but I've used a few of them are a lot of them are useless.

I've even thought about opening up my own company :)
Click to expand...

I disagree a bit. I have met a few CISSP's who are in manager positions. Sure, they kinda understand the theory, but their practical experience is on the weak side.
I dont think a CISSP guarantee's you competency, not like a RHCE cert of a CCIE LAB cert does.

I know u can get ur CISSP exam done, then get 6 years or something to accumulate the experience. I have my exam booked for May, fun times
 
Elite Override said:
I never knew it was so complicated. But at least that would make greater demand for the qualification.
Click to expand...

Which is why it is a well respected cert - here and overseas. (Note to self....time to speak to the boss for a increase :D )


tau1z said:
I disagree a bit. I have met a few CISSP's who are in manager positions
Click to expand...

There lies the problem :)

I know what you mean though - just because you have a CISSP doesnt mean you know your stuff, but its def worth more salt than like a MSCE.
 
gregmcc said:
Which is why it is a well respected cert - here and overseas. (Note to self....time to speak to the boss for a increase :D )
Click to expand...

May I ask which company you work for? Or just in general which kind of company uses people with security certs? I would assume banks, and websites handling cash and sensitive information.
 
gregmcc said:
I know what you mean though - just because you have a CISSP doesnt mean you know your stuff, but its def worth more salt than like a MSCE.
Click to expand...

But more because of the pre-requisites than the actual exam. Besides, its what people want to hear now days, hence the move to get it. Irritating that I can only write it twice a year
 
Elite Override said:
May I ask which company you work for? Or just in general which kind of company uses people with security certs? I would assume banks, and websites handling cash and sensitive information.
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Service providers, banks, auditors and any medium to large enterprise.
 
Elite Override said:
If I had the qualifications that were listed earlier, would I have any difficulty finding a job? Could any of you give me a starting salary range as well please?
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The qualifications listed (CCNA, CCSE etc) are closer to firewall and network security than the ones you are after
but, CISSP I would say would get 300k + without much hassle. But remember, u dont get this cert as a newbie...it usually includes 5 years experience.

The biggest issue with Security, is getting a foot in the door. And your starting salary, is prob not going to be more than 12 - 15k no matter what you have if you dont have the experience

I can also only comment on the firewall/Net security and encryption fields!

CISSP and CISM are more in manager roles (Decent money there, boring work)
 
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