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NetworkingATE
1,545 pts.
 Which network security certifications would you recommend and why?
CCNA, Cisco certifications, degrees, IT training and certifications, MCSE, MCSE CCNA, Network security, Networking, Networking certifications
I have currently finished a degree in Information Science from Bangalore, and I'm looking forward to a career in networking. Though Bangalore is known as the IT hub, I'm somehow not attracted towards the IT sector. I want to do something more security related. The CCNA and MCSE certifications are both offered by various institutes in Bangalore, but I'm not sure which cert I should take. Which certifications would you suggest for me and why?

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ASKED: January 15, 2009  5:15 PM
UPDATED: February 18, 2009  4:32 PM
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The certifications you mention are certainly good ones to have. They are vendor specific and you gain valuable knowledge in how to configure that vendor's products to solve issues. Non-vendor specific certifications are valuable in that they teach you concepts and how to think of the bigger-picture. Such certifications include the Comptia, SANS, or EC Council certifications.
Last Wiki Answer Submitted:  January 15, 2009  6:02 pm  by  Labnuke99   32,645 pts.
All Answer Wiki Contributors:  Labnuke99   32,645 pts.
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Why not check out our multi-part, annual survey of information security certifications at http://www.searchsecurity.com (I’ll provide specific links below). But you’ll find a reasonably comprehensive listing of most such credentials, along with some specfiic recommendations as to which ones are worth pursuing.
FWIW, I agree with the previous poster that a mix of vendor-specific and vendor-neutral credentials. I would add the CISSP from ISC-squared and the CISM from ISACA to the list of desirable credentials on the vendor-neutral side as well, however.
HTH, and thanks for posting.
–Ed–

Vendor-neutral certs
Vendor-specific certs
Intro/Guide/Analysis part

Ed Tittel
 1,175 pts.
 

The most important thing is to determine what it is you’re really interested in. If security, then maybe pursuing one of the SANS certs would be good…then the SSCP and eventually CISSP. Just don’t get caught up in the certification whirlwind thinking certs = jobs & more money. Instead focus on getting hands-on experience either through volunteer work, an internship, or at home in the evenings. Most managers will hire someone with experience over someone with degrees and certs any day – especially in IT and security. Check the articles I’ve written about this topic as well:
http://www.principlelogic.com/careers.html

Best of luck!!

KevinBeaver
 10,860 pts.