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CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead?
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Congrats on passing! The Sec+ is my next step. I just passed Net+ this Monday. What exactly are you referring to when you say premium content? Maybe post a link for us? :D I just bought Darryl Gibson's SY0-401 book. Is that the same on you used? Here is a link
Also, would you say the Sec+ is easier or harder than the Net+?
>I don't believe I'd be able to survive on enlisted pay.
Plenty of people do. The military will pay you a subsistence based on where you live and your rank (BAH).
>I'd be willing to move anywhere if it meant I could get hands on experience with cyber security
Do you have any certs now? You should study for the Sec+ like yesterday. Buy This. Its okay to get certified before you graduate, hell I encourage it. Look into learning networking as well. When you graduate, hit me up if you remember.
User Darril Gibson's book to study: https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Certified-Ahead-SY0-401/dp/1939136024/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471899256&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=darrel+gibsoin+security%2B
Before each chapter, flip to the practice test at the end of the chapter and take it. Then review the correct answers and take note of the ones you got wrong. Go back and read the chapter, paying special attention to shit you got wrong. When you finish the chapter redo the practice test and see what you learned. Once you finish the book take the big huge practice test at the end, and go over what you got wrong. Make sure you memorize port numbers and shit.
Also yes you will be marked down if you don't have it by the time your EPR is done. Actually you'll probably get marked down anyway because you missed the deadline.
>I don't think I'll ever pass it because I'm horrible at taking tests and I've never done any computer work in my life.
You passed A+, did you not?
Awesome! Glad I could help. I'm studying for the Security+ exam myself. I'm not incredibly worried, however, I'm still going to spend a month preparing. I've went through some practice exams and read through Darril Gibson's Security+ book (https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Certified-Ahead-SY0-401/dp/1939136024).
If you need someone to study with, let me know!
Close, this is the study guide, you've linked the practice question book. I bought the Kindle versions of both of them for $20 total.
SY0-401 has only been around for a little over two years. It'll be another couple before it's replaced.
Gratz!
You mention Darril Gibson's book
Is this the book you mention?
Weird, the book is called CompTIA Security+ Get Ahead Get Certified SY0-401 Study Guide, if you just Google that
Lol I'm a dumbass again and used a link from my orders. https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Certified-Ahead-SY0-401/dp/1939136024
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Professer Messer Security+ <strong>Free</strong>
Mike Chapple Security+ <strong>Paid</strong>
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Professor Messer's Pop Quizes <strong>Free</strong>
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GoCertify <strong>Free</strong>
Darril Gibson's Exam/Study App <strong>Paid</strong>
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I used this book and would recommend it.
Sorry, here it is CompTIA Security+ Book
Is this the one you are referring to? You linked the practice test book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1939136024/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_dO44ybCQ3D6WY
Also, does he have any videos?
https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Certified-Ahead-SY0-401/dp/1939136024
Darril Gibson is a gold mine for this Cert. He lays out the material in very easily understandable formats that can be applied with ease.
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Professer Messer Security+ <strong>Free</strong>
Mike Chapple Security+ <strong>Free</strong>
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GoCertify <strong>Free</strong>
Darril Gibson's Exam/Study App <strong>Paid</strong>
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Part of the credit I'm bringing to WGU are my A+ and Network+. I'm currently using Darril Gibsons book and Professor Messer videos for my security+ (which I will take after i start with WGU). For those that find this thread later.
Security+
I don't think there is any such restriction on the Security+. As far as I know you just sign up for the exam. There are some restrictions on CISSP, which may be what you're thinking of. There are a couple of good prep books to help with the exam. I used this one which I liked since it had practice questions and a 2-3 page summary at the beginning of each chapter which would work as a good refresher before the exam.
I don't think a two year gap will have a large effect. If it comes up just say that you were focusing on your studies, or that you were looking for work in FL but the job market was tough, which is why you decided to move. As an interviewer I wouldn't have any issue with either of those.
As for DC, I've lived here for 12 years now. It's expensive, but not as expensive as NYC or SF, but the salaries are good. Going from no experience to 100k/yr can be done in 3-4 years. Entry level IS is probably somewhere in the 70-80k range. I've got a lot to talk about, so lets see if I can split it up logically.
The DC Metro Area
DC can really be divided into three areas: DC proper, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery Country. There are some more outlier areas which are cheaper, but you pay for that with a longer commute since there aren't a lot of jobs in those areas. I've lived in both VA and MD and personally prefer VA. The people in general are a bit more friendly in VA, however I miss the variety and quality of restaurants in Bethesda/Rockville. I'm not much of a city guy so I try to avoid DC as much as possible, but if it's your thing I know some people who love it. Bear in mind that living in DC proper is quite a bit more expensive than the suburbs, both in cost of rent, taxes, and transportation.
Traffic and commuting can be terrible, and the metro area always makes the top 5 on the worst places to commute lists. I work with a fair amount of people who commute 1hr each way. I know a few that commute for 2hrs each way. My suggestion is to find a place close to work. My job is 5 miles / 15 minutes from home, so I rarely have to deal with traffic. An additional 1 hour drive per day is 208 hours per year. That's a lot time. If you live near your work you can capture all of the benefits of the area and avoid the biggest down side. You'll pay a bit more for it, but an extra $200/mo is well worth 200-300 hours a year in my book
Work
There are a few major hubs for tech work: Tysons Corner, VA, the route 267 corridor in VA, the I-270 corridor in MD, and downtown DC. There are a lot of companies to choose from, and many of them get paid by working for the government in some form. I highly recommend working for a consulting company. If you do you're part of a profit center for the company rather than a cost center. What this means is that your work makes the company money and is seen as an asset rather than an expense which they want to cut. The down side is that you may need to travel, but it's not guaranteed. I've been a consultant for 5 years now and really only travel a week or two per year.
I also highly recommend working for a big company (20k+ employees). It gives you a huge networking potential. I started my career at a large company and the contacts that I made there mean I'll never have to interview for a job again.
I also highly recommend getting a security clearance. To do so you'll need to work for a company that works with the DoD and they will have to sponsor your. It will take a year or two to process, and you have to give up a lot of information on yourself, as well as names of friends and contacts. Some people have a hard time with the process, but it adds to the armor of never having to worry about unemployment.
Living
Definitely rent for a year or two and find an area that you like (and make sure that you like DC). With regards to this Craigslist is your friend. I've only rented from craigslist and my rent is 200-400/mo cheaper than renting from an apartment complex. You might not get some of the amenities like granite countertops and solid cherry cabinets, but IMHO those aren't worth $300/mo. Apartments in Northern VA and Mont. county can be found for around $1200/mo, maybe a little bit more, and condos go for 200-300k (10 miles as the crow flies to the white house). DC is quite a bit more expensive. There are some very cheap areas, even inside the capital beltway. You can find townhomes in northeast DC for ~100k. If you want to work in DC (and maybe Mont county) this might be something to consider, but it puts most of northern VA out of reach (and I've only worked in northern VA, so I personally like to leave that option open).
The good
Museums are free, if you like that sort of thing.
The restaurants are awesome. Whatever type of food you want you can find at least 3 that are owned and operated by people from that country.
The bad
Traffic sucks, as I've said.
The area gets a lot of people who come for work and then leave. There aren't a lot of people that you'll meet who were born in the area. A lot of people are also very focused on their work. If you settle down and buy a house / have a family that will start to change, but as a single person you'll see your friendship circles ebb and flow.
The live music scene in this area is terrible. There aren't many venues that host live music, and a lot of the groups they bring in aren't those who I'd like to see.
Ok, that's a huge wall of text. Hopefully it was helpful. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions.
I bought Darril Gibson's eBook http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Certified-Ahead-SY0-401/dp/1939136024
Professor Messer Videos and study notes. Videos are free via YouTube and the notes are $10. http://www.professormesser.com/security-plus/sy0-401/sy0-401-course-index/
Plural Sight, but only because I have an account through work, otherwise I wouldn't pay the $500 annual price. They do give 50% discounts to veterans though.
Yes, this is the one I used on Amazon
So, I just ordered this. Same book you have that came with a practice exam? Or, should I also get the practice test book?
I did not see in the study guide where it had any practice tests or sims.
Sec+ - CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead by Darril Gibson http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Certified-Ahead-SY0-401/dp/1939136024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437589159&sr=8-1&keywords=security%2B
CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker AIO 2nd Ed. by Matt Walker http://www.amazon.com/Certified-Ethical-Hacker-Bundle-Second/dp/0071835571/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1437589170&sr=8-1&keywords=CEH
Darril Gibson's "Get Certified, Get Ahead" series
Topics: A+, Network+, Security+
Cost: $30 (book), $30 (the premium level of the site)
Types: Guides (hard copy and ebook), Videos, Audioguides!, Practice Exams and Simulations
His CompTIA Security+ book is the #1 Amazon seller for that category. <strong>Amazon Link</strong>
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