Certifications

[rapidarp]

Do all of the certifications (such as CCNA, A+, MCSE, Security+, etc.) have to be renewed every-so-often? I didn't know this was true in some cases. I looked up CISSP last night on wikipedia and it mentioned that every 3 years you must renew by retaking the test and paying an annual membership fee. I was like .

So are they all like this where you have to renew them from time-to-time or are some infinite?

[Lespaul20]

To my knowledge the CompTIA certs only require re-certification if a new exam come out otherwise they don't expire. The CCNA requires re-certification every three years. MCSE, I think, requires re-certification if you want to become re-certified in a new OS such as 2000 to 2003 or at least you have to upgrade. Since things change so often it seems like a good thing to stay current with things if you want to claim to be certified.

[Force Flow]

CCNA needs re-certification every three years, like lespaul20 says, but instead of renewing the CCNA, you can instead take a different cisco certification test, which would renew it. This is why a number of cisco certified techs that have been in the field a while have a long list of cisco certifications

[rapidarp]

Ok. I'd like to be certified in A+, Security+, CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, and CISSP. I'm going for network admin/computer security.

[Force Flow]

A+ isn't necessary if you're already familar with computer mantainence and repair.

[Lespaul20]

Originally Posted by Force Flow A+ isn't necessary if you're already familar with computer mantainence and repair.

Depends on what he/she plans on doing. If he/she is looking to get a job where is there hefty filtration of candidates based on objective skills such as certs then having an A+ wont hurt and it only proves knowledge that he/she has.

[faulkner132]

Wouldn't certifications be [even more] 'useless' if you never had to renew them? If someone took the exam 10 years ago and passed and never had to get retested... well think about it. Experience is the best teacher, find somewhere you can intern/co-op to get real world experience. Reading about it in a book pales in comparison to the real thing.
You don't learn how to drive a car by reading about it in a book and taking your written drivers test.

Personally, I think certifications are a waste of time. I've seen people with more acronymns than years experience who geninuinely have no clue what they are doing in the real world. Of course, this is not the case most of the time, but happens enough to where it cannot be dismissed as a co-incidence.

Corporations, on the other head, do seem to eat that stuff up... my only guess is that a certification is their way of determining how 'qualified' you are. If this is a primary consideration for their hiring, you probably don't want to work for that company anyway.

I'm not taking anything away from people with certifications, just offering my .02

[Force Flow]

The CCNA is a bit different than most certs as additional exams builds upon your knowledgebase. Simply put, they're specialties in Cisco networking.

The only qualm I have with cisco certs is that they cost $125-$150 each, no matter if you pass or fail.


The Cisco certs are pretty much the only certs I can vouch for as not being a waste of time. There isn't much fluff. If you do Cisco networking, most of what's in the CCNA is what you will actually use in the field.

Since there is a lot in the CCNA to remember and stay on top of, while the 3 year renewal is annoying and expensive, it does make sense to make sure Cisco certified techs are keeping up-to-date.

I seem to dimly recall that with cisco certs, you can choose to be listed on a cisco directory for your locale so that you can be contacted for cisco service calls.


A decent chunk of MS certs are useful too, but I can't *personally* vouch for them.


I don't have a high opinion of A+ exams for various reasons.

[Lespaul20]

faulkner132-

You do do some of you learning in a book when learning to drive. The rules of the road are just as important as to know how to parallel park. I do, however, agree that expression will generally trump any formal education.

But...

Having certs if nothing else shows your willingness and drive to further yourself and career. Also, if you are somebody just starting out and don't have a college education but have formal certs would seem like a pretty good substitution.



I would recommend getting as many certs as you can afford and have time for. Having more skills is not going to hurt you in any way. You are more likely to stand out to potential employers which will give you more choice when choosing a job.

[rapidarp]

Originally Posted by Lespaul20 I would recommend getting as many certs as you can afford and have time for. Having more skills is not going to hurt you in any way. You are more likely to stand out to potential employers which will give you more choice when choosing a job.

That's one of the reasons I want a few certifications. The other reason being the wealth of knowledge I could obtain from those domains.

[rapidarp]

So I've altered the list of Certs i'd like to get. I changed it to: A+, Security+, CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, SSCP, CISSP, and CEH. They're all gonna be hard to obtain but the last three will be a PAIN! Oh well, I set goals and I accomplish them.

[Great_One]

Originally Posted by rapidarp So I've altered the list of Certs i'd like to get. I changed it to: A+, Security+, CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, SSCP, CISSP, and CEH. They're all gonna be hard to obtain but the last three will be a PAIN! Oh well, I set goals and I accomplish them.

I would add the CompTIA Network+ cert to your a list. It actually lays a good foundation to the CISCO tests. You can forget about the CISSP for awhile. You need to have worked in a security position for a certain amount of time and will need validation of that experience by your supervisor.

[rapidarp]

Originally Posted by Great_One I would add the CompTIA Network+ cert to your a list. It actually lays a good foundation to the CISCO tests. You can forget about the CISSP for awhile. You need to have worked in a security position for a certain amount of time and will need validation of that experience by your supervisor.

Ya I read that about CISSP. ISC can also endorse you if you can't find someone yourself. I think you need like 5 years of experience working in security. I don't mind.

I'm going to drop MCSE and replace it with Network+. I'm planning on attending the local ITT Tech campus soon to start on a BS Degree in Information Systems Security. It seems the majority of the class is security stuff with little networking involved (i guess) so Network+ will probably be my first certification after getting my degree.

[nocturnx]

I agree with Faulkner, save your time and money and go get a degree in CS if you can. Even an associates degree with an internship holds more weight in my opinion. When I look at candidates for our IT department I look for a degree, degree in progress, or IT internships more than an A+ cert.

I mean no disrespect to those going the certification route, just speaking from my experiences.

Your plan to get a BS degree at ITT Tech is a good way to go and ISS is highly sought after. Good Luck!

[rapidarp]

Originally Posted by nocturnx Your plan to get a BS degree at ITT Tech is a good way to go and ISS is highly sought after. Good Luck!

That's what I hear but I don't see much listed on Monster.com. Just a few. I know not EVERY job is listed on there but it don't look like much. That's why I was kind of catering my computer education to suit both Networking and Security needs so I could be either a Network Admin or Computer/Network Security.

[bailey]

I hear that there is a job open in SanFrancisco

[rapidarp]

Originally Posted by bailey I hear that there is a job open in SanFrancisco

Uh....no thanks.


Anyone know what's better, Security+ or SSCP? Are they similar or anything? If so, I could condense my Cert list by knocking one of them out.

EDIT: Ok, On Cramsession.com you can compare Certs. I compared Security+ and SSCP and basically it tells me Security+ is the better choice. What do you think?

[Lespaul20]

If you are planning on attending ITT tech don't plan on taking your earned credit anywhere else. The Security + can be applied the MCSA and MCSE so it may be better in the long run. I don't know that there are many companies that have full time security experts and the ones that do are probably large. I would guess that you might find yourself working as a consultant. Either way it's a very specialized area that will most likely pay well due to need and demand.

[rapidarp]

Originally Posted by Lespaul20 If you are planning on attending ITT tech don't plan on taking your earned credit anywhere else. The Security + can be applied the MCSA and MCSE so it may be better in the long run. I don't know that there are many companies that have full time security experts and the ones that do are probably large. I would guess that you might find yourself working as a consultant. Either way it's a very specialized area that will most likely pay well due to need and demand.

I'll be prepared to work my way into the security bit. Experience at 1 or 2 entry level jobs as a network guy might be a step in the door. A lot of the jobs I find on Monster.com require 2-5+ years of experience before you're eligible to apply. In any event, I'll do what I can to reach the Computer Security job. I found a decent one listed for eBay but that might not be open when I start to apply down the road.

[joytime365]

I don't think they need to be renewed, I think they are just a prove that you have achieced a level in some aspcet.

[nocturnx]

Your likely not going to find much on Monster or Careerbuilder. A suggestion would be to give your resume to technology recruiters that specialize in hiring networking/IT candidates for other companies to get your foot in the door somewhere. Robert Half Technology is an example.