Post edited 11:32 pm – January 9, 2010 by see

#include <reallife>

I finally decided to take some time off, recharge my batteries and figure out what it is that I really want to do.  After nearly a year of research I've finally come to the discovery pursuing a carrier in network security is what I need to do..  I want to spend my work days researching security vunrabilities, deciding threat levels, deploying security policies, conducting security audits, doing internal, external, social engineering penetration tests, decrypting suspicus packets in Wireshark,  exc! And 2010 is going to be that year!  

Its taken me several  months of researching carrier paths, certifications and job opening to convince myself where  I need to spend the money in training based on what I found.  This is what I have decided to attempt to accomplish by the years end.   

Step one:

 Self Study!

CBT Nuggets courses and certs: 

• Net+
• Security +
• CCNA

The general idea was to get the DOD 8570 Certification tech level I,II and Mgt level I certs out of the way for any job that would require me to work or be contracted with a government agency.  The CCNA vendor specific certification is thrown there to help me get a low level networking "foot in the door" job.  I already finished the CCNA course, it was fantastic, I hope the other 2 are as good.. +rep for CBT..  I'm going to attempt my Net+ before my CCNA cert. I need revisit this course once I pick up a Cisco device to practice IOS configuration.

Wireshark University self paced courses and WCNA Cert:

• Wireshark functionality and Fundamentals
• Wireshark TCP/IP Network Analysis
• Wireshark Troubleshooting Network performance
• Wireshark forensic security

I've only completed 1/3 of the first DVD.  This package is crazy.  I have a Network Engineering degree, so TCP/IP isn't new to me, but the skill level involved with learning this is software is going to take some time and patience!  I can tell this will be a Certification I will need to really, really study for!

First Instructor Led Class (unregisterd):

(GSEC) SANS: Security 401 6 day bootcamp

I'm still a little unsure about this program.  What I've read around the internet is this is a great class..  I feel with the Security+ the GISF cert would be basic repetitive information and a waist of $$.  I'll need to search out and speak with the SANS support and other individuals who have attended the boot camp before committing to this.

;break  

Hopefully and with a little luck these credentials will land me an entry level job where I can start getting work experience and peruse a more active roll in my overall goal of becoming a network security architect.  If it works out where I'm able to get all this done by the end of 2010 I'll feel pretty good..  I keep telling myself the more exotic certs from Ec-council and Offensive-Security need to wait, I need experience!

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Post edited 11:19 am – January 10, 2010 by see

No, you're right, I missed both..   Thanks for pointing those out.