What kind of certifications does Jow Forums have? Which ones benefited you the most? How did you study for the exam (brain dumps, udemy, etc)?
I have
>Security+
>Linux+
>CCNA
I am a
>System Administrator
>60k a year
>No degree
>East coast, relatively low cost of living
It isn’t all NEETS here right?
Dude HOLY SHIT I have almost the exact same credentials and live in the East cost. Are you me?
(No CCNA Network+ instead.)
I also make 60k...
I dropped out of high school and make 0k a year
Combination Welder
I have started my RHCSA, but the nearest testing center is like 5 hours away one way. Sucks but it may be worth it, tired of being a brainlet around the RedHat guys. I'm using Linux academy and labs for that, not sure which book I'll use.
I don't need to renew my Sec+/CCNA for a long while, but I just presume I'd go up the ladder at that point (getting the CySA or Pen+ and get CCNA Security for example).
Do you like your job user? How long did you spend studying for your certs? It takes me like 4 months per cert but I pass first try.
I read around that "automation" is replacing system admins, do you think we'll be replaced in the next 20 years?
Ok bro, you sound like someone I work with. Where do you live?
I googled that...damn, I wish high school would have exposed me to those sorts of things at a younger age. Idk why they pushed for college so much. Looking back I'd of started on IT certifications as a teenager or I'd of went for a skilled trade such as yours.
I'm somewhat close to Pittsburgh, that's all I'm giving ya.
Mb...this was meant for
Alright, you're not who I'm thinking of
But I'm a RedHat admin,and we work with this networking guy who has Linux+ and shows interest in learning more.
Fuckin surreal.
MTA 98-366
A+
Network+
Linux+
Working on CCNA
I work professionally as a perl developer though.
How many people in your office are certified? Out of like 20 dudes there's like literally 2 with a certification.
We do have 4 RedHat SME's working with us temporarily, obviously they're all architects. Maybe I'm overvaluing certs, idk. I just want to be relevant and viewed with respect amongst my peers.
That is surreal though, in the back of my head I always presume this is a small enough board that there is a fair chance I'm probably yelling at my supervisor without us ever knowing it.
Do those certs help with being a Perl Developer? Are they for personal use or are you wanting to make a career change soon? Also do you like your current job?
To my knowledge, only myself and our Full Stack dev have certs.
The other two have degrees in CS.
And no. The certs don't do shit for me other than knowing how to Linux better.
I learned programming on my own, no formal training or schooling to speak of.
Tbh the certs are more for personal use than they are professional.
And yeah my job is alright, I mean it's Perl there's only SO much to love; we're slowly writing a new code base using Angular for our front end and Laravel for our back end and middleware, so that'll be a BIG improvement over the current CGI based system
RHCSA and RHCE but expired this month. I've never realy used RH just did a 4 day RHCE preparation course and did the cert because the company paid. I'm not sure if i should recertify because i'm not looking for a job right now.
We have an office of 6 dudes, and my job requires all of us to be certified IAT Level II at least. We work for the government...no getting around it for us
We're also not "professionals" with RedHat specific infrastructure, we just know and have experience with Linux and picking up RH didn't take too long. I mean, we're not doing anything on our systems that specifically require the systems to be RH the government just likes the support RH offers.
Pajeet brainlet here.
What is the best braindump site?
Please tell me.
Currently doing a BHons in Cyber Security with CCNAs, is it worth going onto doing a masters or phd level study or will I have already capped out my future income?
Damn that's tough to hear. Seems like you shouldn't have a problem getting work when you're ready for the next job. I have to ask though, was that boot camp the ONLY thing you did? If so that's impressive.
I understand being IAT Level II certified. Pretty sure that's the only way CompTIA is still a company or relevant in this day and age.
Thank you for your insight.
>I have to ask though, was that boot camp the ONLY thing you did?
Yes. I had 10 years of ubuntu experience (server and only desktop OS) though. So i just had to learn the RH specific s tuff like firewalld and SELinux. They tell you everything you need to know and if they tell you 'thats important' you can be sure it's something you need for the test. The VM for the hands on training are also realy nice.
CISSP, PMP, CISA, and a Bachelors in InfoSec
145k Salary, and an annual bonus if the company doesnt tank it.
CISSP was the harder of them all, the others are just management. I did boot camps for everything.
I understand those certifications, but how did you make the jump into management? Did you get hired within? Jump from one place to another? Suck cocks? Explain please ty.
which comptia certifications are "entry level" and which ones are more advanced? Which ones are the most valuable/essential?
I went to college for business but I am thinking about getting certs to work in tech field; potentially in Linux. Linux+ seems interesting but I'm not sure if it's something that has prerequisites.
CS degree from Purdue 2003.
NEET.
There are no prerequisites for any CompTIA certification.
The company themselves recommend 9 months for A+, having the A+ and 9 more months of networking experience for Network+, and then 2 years experience with both A+ and Network+ for Security+. Those are not prerequisites though, merely their suggestion (to make money). I know plenty of computer illiterate people who jumped straight into Security+ and did fine.
certification.comptia.org
That's the pyramid in which they stack, A+ being the lowest ranked. Linux+ isn't in the pyramid because it is a lifetime certification, whereas the others expire every 3 years. You are technically able to go straight for the CASP even though it is recommended you have 10 years experience, but you really shouldn't. If somebody with zero experience had a CASP and applied to our place, their resume would go straight to the trash.
To answer your question, Linux+ is a decent certification. If you know literally nothing about IT, take 4 months and get the CompTIA triangle consisting of A+, Net+, and Sec+.
Also if it is too late to change your major, just ride it out and get the certs on the side. You may have an edge on some of your STEM peers because you shouldn't have as much autism as they do.
Thanks I'll consider potentially getting some certs
already graduated
You work your way into a team lead role. Which means you're doing manager work without the pay or title.
Then you either jump ship to a new job with the actual title and one or two reports, or you get lucky and the manager you had as team lead quits and recommends you.
Nobody is looking to hire a manager with no experience managing.
I'll let you in on this: "Your success is in part due to the number of uncomfortable conversations you're willing to have."
I asked for a raise, I asked for a better position, interviewed for it, got it, sat in on meetings, met players in my company, got another promotion into cybersec after CISSP, got management certs and did well managing, got another promotion, but this was over the span of 5 years. I'm trying to position myself to take over when our CISO retires, but bureaucracy is starting to matter more than skill, so idk.
I got some shitty certs from testout that mean nothing. I got it because the classes I took at my community college made me use it.
Also a mta in networking which I also got from cc which also means next to nothing.
0k a year :(
Online or in person boot camp for the CISSP? If you'd recommend it, mind saying which one?
There's a job with the feds I've been thinking about and CISSP satisfies the DOD requirement.
I know no one is looking to hire a manager without managing experience, it seems like a mysterious wall to break through. I think you hit the nail on the head with that uncomfortable conversations bit, holy shit that’s some sage advice actually. I’ll take that to heart and plan my attack appropriately.
Does your college offer an information systems concentration for the business degree?
>JavaScript developer
>No certs (possibly CFP or CFA)
>62k/year
>East Coast
>Study and get the CompTIA Security+ certification. Many companies don’t require a degree if you earn this cert. Cyber security is in desperation mode trying to find people.
Is this true? Nearly 30yo with barely a penny to my name and a zero-hour contract in lifting-heavy-shit-I'm-not-built-for. I need an out.
If you get whatever’s next above the MTA (MCSA?) and you already have an associates degree, I think you’re in a great spot desu. Keep applying.
Unfamiliar with the testout certs however, never heard of them.
You got this! =^]
I believe it did; however I'm not going to be going back since I'm moving away in a few days to live with the gf in a different state. I've been at home for a little more than a year to take care of my father who very recently passed away from brain cancer. So i'm looking into finding an inlet into a career in tech since I should have gone to college for it in the first place.
It is true but it is also not true. You NEED experience to be on the security side of things, if you have no concept of how networks work or what a hardened workstation looks like or how a database manages VMs/instances, you can’t secure shit. Security+ is good to have and certainly can replace a degree however. It did for me.
It sucks but you’d probably go from helpdesk, junior admin, admin, then hop to security from there. Unless your uncle is the CEO of the company you will not jump straight into security almost guaranteed. Just how the game works right now.
Thanks user.
Here is image of what testout basically is. You just watch videos and read things and take quick quizzes. Certification means nothing because you take it from home so you can cheat.
forgot image whoops
/NEET/ here, what cert should I get?
>It sucks but you’d probably go from helpdesk, junior admin, admin, then hop to security from there.
How long are we talking? I'm gonna have to do it regardless but I'd like to know.
I'm in college and already work for a SOC though
I've never seen a Tier I analyst position require anything more than a related degree and MAYBE a low level cert or two
In person bootcamp through Training Camp
>a related degree
Does a Lower 2nd in Maths from years back count as a related degree?
They usually look for CS, EE, or CE. Wouldnt hurt though.
>certifications
I can't even do the CompTIA im retarded.
>comptia
your resume will go straight to the bin
only gullible retards pay comptia for their worthless toilet paper cert
8 years if your shit is on point and suck the right dicks.
Or you can join the air force and demand to be cyber security, then you’d be in immediately and good in 4 years.
If you’re then I don’t see why you couldn’t be one right now, especially if you’re working in a SOC.
The Network+ is a good cert to have. I mean go to a testing center and take the one there if you think you’d pass.
was this the certifications required to audition for the role of hacker man in the hit movie Kung Fury™?
>8 years if your shit is on point and suck the right dicks.
8 years? So I'll be 37 by the end. My god, what's the pay progression like?
>If you’re
then I don’t see why you couldn’t be one right now, especially if you’re working in a SOC.
I'm not him.
That's an impressive resume you got there.
Oh yeah, then what certs do you recommend? Pic related it's you.
My peers in the security roles make anywhere from 50k-85k in a somewhat low cost of living state. Their ages are like anywhere from 26 - 46. I am 26 and am a systems administrator, have about 5 years experience. If you're not afraid of the bitch work it isn't too late for you by any means.
>If you're not afraid of the bitch work it isn't too late for you by any means.
Gotta be better than destroying my joints. Will my Lower 2nd degree in Maths be useful? It's from a red brick uni if that means anything.
I got a CCENT once. It expired a few weeks ago.
I make 230k as a security engineer. Certifications are garbage. Should have got a degree.
Short story: yes math will be useful. Being logically sound and knowing how to work through problems goes a long way.
Not short: Degrees are weird in IT. HR will post them as a hard requirement, though around here almost nobody has a degree. They all have a ton of experience and some certifications along the way. The degree won't hurt you. I don't think I'd go back for a second degree in your spot, just apply for entry level positions and get certs simultaneously.
>That 30 year old boomer in the office who changed careers
They're more common than you'd think.
What did your career progression look like? Also location?
4 year degree > work in govt for a while > move to san francisco > get tech salary
230 base, 30% bonus, 400k/4 RSU's
>though around here almost nobody has a degree.
Really?
>They all have a ton of experience and some certifications along the way.
Ah.
>just apply for entry level positions and get certs simultaneously.
Any specific ones?
If you're a true brainlet, you'll need A+ and Net+. If you're already familiar with those topics (check the exam objectives), you can get Security+ and the CCNA. The CCNA is a way better but harder version of the Net+. CCNA has a lot of upward mobility, CCNP's and CCIE's make big bucks imo.
Other options for you if you're wanting to get into cyber security...
>CEH
Certified Ethical Hacker, basically a glorified vocab exam and the company, EC-Council, has ridiculous renewal fees. Some of the higher level certs from the EC-Council aren't that bad though.
>OSCP
Offensive Security Certified Professional. This is a lifetime certification. You basically have to penetrate the company's defenses. This cert is hard as shit, you'd probably want this with like 5 years of experience.
>CySA+
Cyber Security Analyst from CompTIA. I've heard this cert is good but it is still relatively new. Lots of hands on training with pentesting tools is required. Get the Security+ first however.
>Pentest+
This exam isn't out yet. Might be shit. Comparable to CySA+
>CCNA Security
You need at least half of the CCNA (called CCENT) as a pre-requisite. You'll learn how to sufficiently secure networks at this point. If you get the CCNA security, you can work up to CCNP Security and CCIE Security after like 10 years.
>CASP
From CompTIA, it's a security and manager certification. Get this after like 5-10 years.
>CISSP
You need 5 years of experience before the company will let you take the exam...I don't know much about this one other than it is similar to the CISSP.
For the short term, look into CCNA, Security+, and an entry level job so you can start getting relevant experience. DON'T get a job at Geek Squad or something shit like that, get a helpdesk job somewhere else.
Thanks.
Also, I've been half-arsedly learning java the last 2 months, should I drop it in favour of cyber security?
If your end goal is to be a cyber security technician of some kind, which I think you mentioned a few hours ago, yes you should drop JAVA. If you want to get into programming, then stick with it. Little programming is involved with anything we've been discussing.
>If you want to get into programming, then stick with it.
Which would you say is the better or more guaranteed path?
Different user, but follow the path you want. Either path is achievable and pays well.
As you said earlier, there is a rising need for security specialists. So I think that is more guaranteed.
My viewpoint is biased, but I am always seeing faggots on here being like "I have a CS degree and know these shitter languages, why can't I get job for the last two years?"
The admin side of the house is way better than the programming side in my very biased opinion. Who knows, your mileage my vary. People always need their network, workstations, VMs, etc managed by a professional. Few people need the alternative.
The guy posting above me is right though, if you enjoy the other thing you'll love your life more and will naturally perform better. Don't just "follow the money."
>I read around that "automation" is replacing system admins, do you think we'll be replaced in the next 20 years?
Who do you think is doing the automation?
This is bad advice. Cyber security requires programming. Maybe substitute Java for Python but dear god, don't drop programming.
Please stop giving people inexperienced advice.
>RNFA, CNOR
>Midwest living
>87k a year, though if I take extra call regularly and I can almost hit 100k but not quite
I have two masters here in clapistan and I work on the line in a ramen restaurant.
I regret nothing
I have
>Net+
>Sec+
>A+
>MCSA
I am a
>End user support manager
>120k a year
>Networking Engineering / Security Analyst diploma
>East Coast, have house, wife, kid, car, dog, cat.
You're suggesting I do both?
Honestly I could be happy doing that as well, wouldn't regret it either.
I have worked with about 50 security guys over 5 years, none of them knew anything about programming but sure as shit knew about hardening, competencies, how to secure a network, firewall rules, and a shitload of other stuff.
>Use my 1337 Python skills to make a day zero exploit with backdoor connection
>It's jank as shit
>Their firewalls don't allow the strange connection
>Their trained users don't fall for the phishing attempts
>Spam filter blocks your emails anyway
>Users don't have admin rights to execute the file anyway
>A patch is released in 12 hours that stops your exploit
wew
Yeah. Maybe not Java and Python instead but even Java is useful; lots of cyber security involves shuttling logs around, doing data analysis which nowadays means elasticsearch, spark/hive/flink, etc which are all Java products.
Python will take you a long way but once you've learned one language, transitioning to another isn't a big deal.
I live off of my Investment dividends and capital gains. I just made $2000 off of my microsoft stock today
Certificates are the manlet's education. The brainlet degree. Enjoy being paid and treated like a repairman, a mechanic, the nerd in the server room who nobody really cares about.
Meanwhile I have a Bachelor's Degree™ and life couldn't be better. People treat me like I'm a fucking sage. All the interns wanna suck my dick and junior developers humble themselves before me when they seek my guidance.
Stay cucked, beta.
>me
>25
>senior software engineer
>90k a year
>bachelor's degree
>Atlanta, GA, relatively low cost of living
I am a Westmoreland County fag here.
I'm surprised how many people here are in network security shit and make less than 100k
I'm assuming most of them don't live in on a costal or big city in the US.
>Oh yeah, then what certs do you recommend?
I agree with . CompTIA certs are good for showing basic competency but they sure as hell won't make you stand out from the pack.
Best cert to get depends on what type of job you want. I can't provide a definitive list but know in the space I work in an ISC2 cert like the SSCP or CISSP go a hell of a lot further than the Sec+. The Pen+ and CEH are sort of meh but the OSCP cert really means something. Net+ shows you're not retarded but a CCNA/CCNP/CCIE look much better.
Was that your first job?
How much are you overstating other's admiration of you?
I’m surprised people even work here. Wondering how much of it is LARPing.
It is not about how much you make it is about how much you keep, I was only making about 50k or so for the first few years of my career, but I made sure I invested about 50% of my pay. Now I am close to retirement. I do have a bachelors in CS but am pretty stupid and really only got through on late nights, and "Performance Enhancing Drugs"
I have
>Security+
>No degree
I am a
>Network Administrator in the Air Force
>$45k a year adjusted... getting a raise to $72k next year
>Colorado, medium cost of living. Single, so I share a 2BR and save tons of money.
They're moving me to the UK next year, and I'm honestly so excited to get cats of my own.
>No certification
>dropped out of college
>total comp is literally 3x your salary
top kek
some people collect certs like other people collect anime figurines
they're not doing it to hurt the self esteem of little babies like you dont worry
I meant both as in learning programming and cyber security.
It's 3.25am, I have a lifting-heavy-shit-damaging-my-back-for-pennies shift at 11am, I'm 29, my birthday's in 2 weeks and I need sleep. I have a lot to think about.
Pittsburgh native here, moved away because of the military, hope to be back in a few years.
I think by the time you get all those certs, you can literally see the packets as they traverse the network.
That sounds like the life lad. Don’t get stuck in Minot and you’ll be golden.
>join the air force and demand to be cyber security
Protip: don't say this to the recruiter. They'll put you in "Cyber Surety" which means you're a paperwork bitch and nothing else.
If anyone is interested in USAF cyber stuff, join as a 3D1X2 or 3D0X2, which are networking admins and system admins, respectively.
chin up buddy, things will get better
Anyone have the new Net+ N10-007 book?
I have
>no certs
I am
>remote support for $FAANG
>90k/year
>degree
>LCOL area
Just never bothered with certs lel
>System Administrator
>60k a year
youretrash.webm
Only certifications I have are RHCSA and RHCE but I'm doing medical school now so I've never really used them
I hope so, I was planning on an heroing on my 30th but something happened that made me realise how devastated my parents would be if I jumped off a bridge. Gonna have to wait until they're dead to do that now.
Nah, they wouldn't care. That's just your delusion acting up
Don’t listen to that other faggot, don’t off yourself.
I'm probably leaving the active military after my UK tour.
I'm the kind of guy who makes just a few friends, but super close friends. Leaving them literally feels like I'm leaving my family.
I might finish out my years till retirement in the reserves. Or I might just get a contractor job with my security clearance.
>Sec+
I'm being forced to review for this because some place we're working with requires it before they'll give us admin privileges on some virtual machines. Probably don't even really need full admin access, but I need to be able to install services and we can't trust them to install anything because they'll probably do it wrong.
Was the test as poorly worded and full of bullshit acronyms as the practice tests make it seem?