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Education => Certifications and Careers => Topic started by: deanwebb on February 19, 2018, 08:33:22 PM

Title: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on February 19, 2018, 08:33:22 PM
Well, it's a new year, we need a new goal thread.  >:D

I'm taking the FCSE class this week, I'll have to pass the test so I can keep working with ForeScout. I plan to pass that test soon, should be fun. It's mostly a cert for ForeScout employees and vendor partners, so it's not for folks that support it at their firm or anything like that.

Career-wise, I want to meet my billable hours goal. Should not be an issue, since I'm booked for some major clients that bought lots of architect time in their POs. But, all the same, if it's a goal on my manager's list, it's a goal on my list.

Looks like I'll also get a chance to learn tons more about Splunk and ServiceNow and how they work with ForeScout.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: wintermute000 on April 11, 2018, 01:30:23 AM
AWS Solutions Arch: Associate done and dusted!

VCP6-NV recertification next.... thankfully they retired my VCIX-NV so I don't actually have to recertify on VCAP6-NV to claim VCIX greatness. I don't have the energy these days to do a full NSX lab build again, but a few hours on the free HOL labs should be enough + skimming the cert guide to nail the VCP level recert, not a lot has changed greatly (aside from cross-cluster constructs) for NSX from 6.1 to 6.2.

After that I actually have no re-certs for the next 12 months which is AMAZING. So going to solidify my tinkering with formal Ansible and Terraform linuxacademy courses, certs be damned. And knock out a couple of CSCO e-learning automation courses for the continuing education credits if nothing else.

Designing and Implementing Cisco Network Programmability (NPDESI) v.1.0
Developing with Cisco Network Programmability (NPDEV) v4.0



The treadmill never ends....
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/a30f3d85182c8342acffe48a6baab354/tenor.gif?itemid=4843049)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on April 11, 2018, 01:14:32 PM
Getting more serious about the FSCE stuff now that my actual hardware has arrived.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on April 23, 2018, 03:15:58 AM
Currently working on JNCIP-SEC but I'm finding it hard to get back in the study routine. Gotta knock it out before September though, or my JNCIS-SEC expires.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on April 23, 2018, 10:05:19 AM
Signed up for CCIE Written. Doing it at Cisco Live.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: wintermute000 on April 23, 2018, 07:01:29 PM
good luck man, its a ridiculous exam
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on April 24, 2018, 09:48:09 AM
Thanks. CCIE was the holy grail when I started networking, and I have always wanted it. I don't think it supplies as much value as it used to, but it is still a personal goal. My company couldn't care less if I hold a CC anything as long as I have my 8570 cert. So if I fail I will just try again next year. If I pass then I have to deal with the lab, and start serious study.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on April 24, 2018, 11:24:31 AM
Making my way through training files... not always easy to schedule with work and stuff still happening, but I can fit it in.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on May 03, 2018, 03:43:20 PM
Wasn't a career goal for 2018, but I'm a Splunk Certified User 6.x now,  just passed my test.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: jason.copas on May 12, 2018, 03:22:49 PM
I finished my CCNP R&S back in January, so I've got a pretty good start.  My fall semester includes CCDA and ITIL foundations. 

That said I started a new job in April.  Having never touched a juniper device in my life, I am in charge of a refresh replacing all of our branch office with juniper equipment.  Architecting a data center move and bringing this Network  inline with best business practices.  So am just hoping I can keep up with this pace.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on May 12, 2018, 04:20:11 PM
Oh fun, a DC move! You will learn a LOT. The CCDA book is really quite good for bringing up lots of aspects of DC stuff. When you take the test, though, be ready to answer like a Cisco professional services engineer or you will not pass that test.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on May 22, 2018, 02:28:10 PM
Quote from: SimonV on April 23, 2018, 03:15:58 AM
Currently working on JNCIP-SEC but I'm finding it hard to get back in the study routine. Gotta knock it out before September though, or my JNCIS-SEC expires.

Wanted to order official Juniper courseware ($1000) but it's delivered only through an eDlivery application, no more phyiscal copies. Kind of sucks, as I want to knock it out, but I really hate studying off a screen.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on May 25, 2018, 09:16:00 AM
Quote from: SimonV on May 22, 2018, 02:28:10 PM
Quote from: SimonV on April 23, 2018, 03:15:58 AM
Currently working on JNCIP-SEC but I'm finding it hard to get back in the study routine. Gotta knock it out before September though, or my JNCIS-SEC expires.

Wanted to order official Juniper courseware ($1000) but it's delivered only through an eDlivery application, no more phyiscal copies. Kind of sucks, as I want to knock it out, but I really hate studying off a screen.


And the "print it out" solution leads to PC LOAD LETTER errors and those lead to...

:printer:
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on June 15, 2018, 08:38:26 AM
Quote from: ristau5741 on May 03, 2018, 03:43:20 PM
Wasn't a career goal for 2018, but I'm a Splunk Certified User 6.x now,  just passed my test.
Wasn't a career goal for 2018 either, but I'm a Splunk Power User Certified 6.x now,  passed my test yesterday.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on June 15, 2018, 02:18:27 PM
Quote from: ristau5741 on June 15, 2018, 08:38:26 AM
Quote from: ristau5741 on May 03, 2018, 03:43:20 PM
Wasn't a career goal for 2018, but I'm a Splunk Certified User 6.x now,  just passed my test.
Wasn't a career goal for 2018 either, but I'm a Splunk Power User Certified 6.x now,  passed my test yesterday.

Ah, but can you also use Microsoft Office? And also Microsoft Office 365?
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on June 17, 2018, 06:10:26 AM
Quote from: deanwebb on June 15, 2018, 02:18:27 PM
Quote from: ristau5741 on June 15, 2018, 08:38:26 AM
Quote from: ristau5741 on May 03, 2018, 03:43:20 PM
Wasn't a career goal for 2018, but I'm a Splunk Certified User 6.x now,  just passed my test.
Wasn't a career goal for 2018 either, but I'm a Splunk Power User Certified 6.x now,  passed my test yesterday.

Ah, but can you also use Microsoft Office? And also Microsoft Office 365?

I can even generate reports from the logs.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on June 18, 2018, 09:21:25 AM
Be sure you have that on your resume. That's a skill that is in HIGH DEMAND.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on June 29, 2018, 03:28:49 AM
One of my distributors has now started selling Cumulus gear. Any tips on getting started with that?
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on July 02, 2018, 11:59:48 AM
What's a Cumulus?
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on July 02, 2018, 03:30:27 PM
Where've you been the last few years? :)

https://cumulusnetworks.com/
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on July 02, 2018, 04:20:35 PM
Quote from: SimonV on July 02, 2018, 03:30:27 PM
Where've you been the last few years? :)

https://cumulusnetworks.com/

Not in the datacenter. :P
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: wintermute000 on July 03, 2018, 06:55:22 AM
Re-certified my VMware VCP6-NV on July the 2nd, so that fits in this FY's KPIs.
Gotta maintain those VMware stripes, otherwise you get forced back onto the pleb 'must get work to shell out for 5 days official training before you have the privilege of sitting our sh1tty exam' train.

<woohoo>NO CERTIFICATIONS DUE FOR RE-CERT FOR 18 MONTHS</woohoo>

OK technically i'm cheating, I'm not counting the CWNA, nobody even knows it exists.....  admit it, none of y'all have heard of it



Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on July 03, 2018, 03:57:56 PM
OK, I'll resist the urge to Google and ask... "So, what's a CWNA?"
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on July 03, 2018, 05:39:50 PM
Failed my CCIE written at Cisco Live. Funny thing is the session I had after the test covered three or four questions I think I got wrong. Next year I am scheduling for as late into the week as I can. Back to studying automation stuff (python, ansible, etc).

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on July 03, 2018, 08:38:17 PM
Quote from: Otanx on July 03, 2018, 05:39:50 PM
Failed my CCIE written at Cisco Live. Funny thing is the session I had after the test covered three or four questions I think I got wrong. Next year I am scheduling for as late into the week as I can. Back to studying automation stuff (python, ansible, etc).

-Otanx


Aw, man, that's a bummer. But, yeah, get back on your horse and ride!
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: wintermute000 on July 03, 2018, 09:59:39 PM
That's a shame, don't wait till next year, hit it hard otherwise you'll just be re-learning a bunch of stuff.

re: Deanwebb

https://www.cwnp.com/certifications/cwna (https://www.cwnp.com/certifications/cwna)

Its actually a great course IF you're a wireless guy - this is basically the CCNA of 802.11 protocol operation and RF theory, and yes its about as interesting as it sounds. Does not tell you what buttons in the Cisco GUI to push in any way whatsoever, but it actually teaches you WLAN and RF theory fundamentals (unlike a CCNA wireless). Despite the material being drier than sandpaper I've actually found it super useful for my role.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on July 04, 2018, 06:10:44 PM
That actually does sound interesting. Thanks! I really do like knowing about how technologies work.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: srg on July 14, 2018, 04:21:19 AM
Passed CCDE written a couple of days ago, gonna do a month of vacation before I decide what to do with it. If nothing else, renewed all other certs until 2021 :)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on July 14, 2018, 08:52:45 AM
Quote from: srg on July 14, 2018, 04:21:19 AM
Passed CCDE written a couple of days ago, gonna do a month of vacation before I decide what to do with it. If nothing else, renewed all other certs until 2021 :)

Is there a lab for that one, as well?
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: srg on July 14, 2018, 03:07:32 PM
Quote from: deanwebb on July 14, 2018, 08:52:45 AM
Quote from: srg on July 14, 2018, 04:21:19 AM
Passed CCDE written a couple of days ago, gonna do a month of vacation before I decide what to do with it. If nothing else, renewed all other certs until 2021 :)

Is there a lab for that one, as well?
It is. It's different compared to the CCIE though as it is held only 4 times a year at specific Pearson sites.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on July 16, 2018, 06:50:38 AM
Quote from: ristau5741 on June 15, 2018, 08:38:26 AM
Quote from: ristau5741 on May 03, 2018, 03:43:20 PM
Wasn't a career goal for 2018, but I'm a Splunk Certified User 6.x now,  just passed my test.
Wasn't a career goal for 2018 either, but I'm a Splunk Power User Certified 6.x now,  passed my test yesterday.

Just go word over the weekend, my Splunk certs are expiring, I have until October 29th to re-up or I loose my
previous work and have to start back at ground zero,  Splunk went the Prometric way with the new round of exams.
:(  Goodbye Splunk Certs, they were fun while they lasted.

Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on July 16, 2018, 09:42:35 AM
What's the lifetime on those certs then, 6 months?  :-\
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on July 17, 2018, 06:09:16 AM
Quote from: SimonV on July 16, 2018, 09:42:35 AM
What's the lifetime on those certs then, 6 months?  :-\

not sure, they just released a new certification train. email said if I wanted to stay current then I had to re-up.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on August 23, 2018, 01:36:33 PM
Passed JNCIA Cloud with 78%

Should have been more but I had very little sleep last night  :)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: wintermute000 on August 24, 2018, 10:40:02 PM
congrats.

I want to do the RH Ansible cert, but the cert is based on 2.3 and they're already changing fundamental syntax (looping syntax etc.) in 2.5+..... certing in the cloudy devops world is ridiculous, moves waaaay too fast

I also want to tackle the AWS Advanced Networking specialist cert, except that it requires its own renewal (kinda like Juniper, AWS doesn't let tracks cross-certify) which is the biggest disincentive. It also expires in 2 (not 3) years, so that means 2x AWS recerts for me every 2 years on top of all the Cisco/VMware/Juniper crap, so erm....

Basically getting to the point now where unless its Cisco (and I can re-certify the lot via CCIE written every 2 years), the addition to the re-cert treadmill is a massive disincentive. Don't even mention the dozen or so SD-WAN vendors hawking their wares.

On that note they desperately need a CCNx-DNA track covering SD-Access and Viptela oops I mean Cisco SD-WAN. I can't see how you cram it all into regular R&S without basically doubling the syllabus. OTOH is basically un-labbable at home without a five figure lab budget so there is no chance you'd pass a CCIE equivalent, nevermind how fast it is iterating (I guess however there is no CCIE cloud for example, so maybe who cares). At the end of the day I suppose until DNA hits 2.0 and Viptela is 100% stable on ISR you wouldn't want to waste your time.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Dieselboy on August 27, 2018, 02:59:47 AM
Microsoft have some interesting looking certs, MCSA Cloud Platform and MCSA Linux on Azure. If you take 5 exams in the right order you will achieve 3 certs:
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator -> 1st exam
MCSA Linux on Azure -> 2nd exam
MCSA Cloud Platform -> after the remaining 3 exams

I'll be booking the 300-085 CAPPS exam soon, then after that it's just one more to get CCNP Collaboration. Hope I can do it before they change the exams. But I think I'll be okay because the 300-080 book isn't even for sale yet. And the 300-085 book is FULL of typos and errors. There's one page with the content duplicated to fill up the space. It's like the author just copied the whole previous section and pasted it below. I am not impressed with some of the Cisco Press publications. I would say may be they are rushed out the door but this new ccnp collab track has been around since october 2015 and 3 years later the study material is hardly out for it. Some of the Authors, such as Jeremy Ciora or Kevin Wallace give depth but this specific 300-085 book which I am reading is not just dry, it's basic. I almost fell asleep yesterday while reading it. I drank so much tea and coffee I was like a hot water bottle by mid afternoon.

So yea, hoping to complete CCNP Collab this year. Optimistic.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on August 28, 2018, 01:21:05 PM
Quote from: wintermute000 on August 24, 2018, 10:40:02 PM
... except that it requires its own renewal (kinda like Juniper, AWS doesn't let tracks cross-certify) which is the biggest disincentive. It also expires in 2 (not 3) years, so that means 2x AWS recerts for me every 2 years on top of all the Cisco/VMware/Juniper crap, so erm....

Basically getting to the point now where unless its Cisco (and I can re-certify the lot via CCIE written every 2 years), the addition to the re-cert treadmill is a massive disincentive. Don't even mention the dozen or so SD-WAN vendors hawking their wares.


This. I may eventually get the CISSP and then attend an annual conference so I can get the continuing ed. hours, which is a bureaucratic way to re-cert... but I can agree with it in principle, so I'd do it.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on August 29, 2018, 06:01:18 AM
Need 1 big multi vendor test to recert all your expires? :twitch:
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on August 31, 2018, 10:38:49 AM
Quote from: ristau5741 on August 29, 2018, 06:01:18 AM
Need 1 big multi vendor test to recert all your expires? :twitch:

Be great if one such existed. Just select all the tests you want to recert on and it displays the questions you need to answer for the recert.

Ah, dreams...
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on September 11, 2018, 10:55:23 AM
Not IT related, but got my Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification this week. Qualified for it a while ago, but had issues with paperwork. Next Wednesday I do the final dives needed for Master Diver. Now that the paperwork is sorted out I should have the card that day, or next.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on September 12, 2018, 06:06:37 AM
Quote from: Otanx on September 11, 2018, 10:55:23 AM
Not IT related, but got my Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification this week. Qualified for it a while ago, but had issues with paperwork. Next Wednesday I do the final dives needed for Master Diver. Now that the paperwork is sorted out I should have the card that day, or next.

-Otanx

I see where you are going with that...... underwater data centers....
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on September 12, 2018, 08:59:59 AM
Quote from: ristau5741 on September 12, 2018, 06:06:37 AM
Quote from: Otanx on September 11, 2018, 10:55:23 AM
Not IT related, but got my Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification this week. Qualified for it a while ago, but had issues with paperwork. Next Wednesday I do the final dives needed for Master Diver. Now that the paperwork is sorted out I should have the card that day, or next.

-Otanx

I see where you are going with that...... underwater data centers....

Water-cooled all the way!

And, if you've got virtual servers, you don't have to worry about salt buildup in the hardware, because virtual servers don't use *actual* hardware, right?
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on September 12, 2018, 11:08:21 AM
Underwater welders make good money. Underwater network engineers should make bank. Along with the virtual servers, we have virtual LANs. So I don't even need network hardware.

In all honesty it is the best hobby ever. No cell phone, no laptop. Can't even talk. Just some simple hand signals.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on September 12, 2018, 11:30:36 AM
Quote from: Otanx on September 12, 2018, 11:08:21 AM
Underwater welders make good money. Underwater network engineers should make bank. Along with the virtual servers, we have virtual LANs. So I don't even need network hardware.

In all honesty it is the best hobby ever. No cell phone, no laptop. Can't even talk. Just some simple hand signals.

-Otanx

you can talk, I've seen in on TV,  Animal Planet, during shark week, two guys in SCUBA underwater with sharks, and one on deck of the boat were talking to each other... and I could hear them on the Tele.  I wonder what that setup costs.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on September 12, 2018, 12:37:39 PM
You can do full face mask with comms. I refuse. Shark Week did increase sales of full face masks. The dive shop we go to just got a bunch in, and are teaching classes on how to use them. With comms you are looking at about a grand, and that is if you have everything else you need like a regulator that works with it. There is also a phone case that is good to 200+ feet. Still no signal, but you can take photos using your phone. I refuse to do that to.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on September 16, 2018, 11:50:56 AM
Meanwhile, I need to book that exam I said I'd do back in January...
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on September 17, 2018, 02:32:43 AM
Quote from: deanwebb on September 16, 2018, 11:50:56 AM
Meanwhile, I need to book that exam I said I'd do back in January...

Me too, need to take JNCIP-SEC at least before 12th of October. In case I fail, that gives me 14 more days for a retry.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deocrism on September 17, 2018, 04:49:34 AM
Managed to get my CCNA R&S mid 2018, and have been spending pockets of time here and there on CCNA Security and AWS Solutions Architect Associate.

As a student with 0 experience I feel like getting Certs is the way to go. Unfortunately these days it seems everyone has CCNA and the advice I've gotten from graduates in the workforce is that having a CCNA is not enough.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on September 17, 2018, 09:33:16 AM
My wife scheduled ICND1 exam for next month. Been doing cigar and networking nights helping her get ready. She picks a topic, and I try to teach it. Mainly focused on subnetting right now (insert rant on classful networks still being taught). Her final goal is the CCNA-Cyber Ops certification.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: config t on September 17, 2018, 09:35:29 AM
Quote from: deocrism on September 17, 2018, 04:49:34 AM
Managed to get my CCNA R&S mid 2018, and have been spending pockets of time here and there on CCNA Security and AWS Solutions Architect Associate.

As a student with 0 experience I feel like getting Certs is the way to go. Unfortunately these days it seems everyone has CCNA and the advice I've gotten from graduates in the workforce is that having a CCNA is not enough.

I can almost guarantee you that everyone on this forum has been in your shoes or at least a similar situation when they started out. Find a helpdesk job or a network technician job and do all the stuff nobody in the shop wants to do. When I started out I was running/crimping cable and vacuuming dust off of switches.

Quote from: Otanx on September 17, 2018, 09:33:16 AM
My wife scheduled ICND1 exam for next month. Been doing cigar and networking nights helping her get ready. She picks a topic, and I try to teach it. Mainly focused on subnetting right now (insert rant on classful networks still being taught). Her final goal is the CCNA-Cyber Ops certification.

-Otanx


I love my subnetting app
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: DesertFox on September 18, 2018, 01:57:24 AM
I am waiting for an offer (hopefully today) for a Viptela / DNA Center remote SE - a USA organization is hiring for an outsource of Cisco's SE-s here. If I go there probably will pursuit CCNP R&S sooner than I was imagining. Apart from this, I am starting a second MS degree - 6 weeks per year on-site at a local university for IT security. And in meantime I am having fun with exercises in pentesterlab.com - for me, it looks like a great deal for the money.

Quote from: Otanx on September 17, 2018, 09:33:16 AM
My wife scheduled ICND1 exam for next month. Been doing cigar and networking nights helping her get ready. She picks a topic, and I try to teach it. Mainly focused on subnetting right now (insert rant on classful networks still being taught). Her final goal is the CCNA-Cyber Ops certification.

-Otanx
When she starts the CyberOps- there is a very nice FB studying group - Cisco Cyber Ops Study Group with some additional materials. If you are not on FB, I can download and send it to you.

And there I found good mnemonic for the Cyber kill chain - Real women dates engineer in combat armors (Recoincance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, C&C, action on objectives).
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on September 18, 2018, 09:33:29 AM
Thanks for the info. I passed it along to her. I love the mnemonic.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: DesertFox on September 19, 2018, 03:29:19 AM
I saw the mnemonic in the FB group - it comes from a SANS instructor.

And from a 01.10 I am going to be part of Cisco SE structure - hope it is going to be funnier than my current workplace. 8)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on October 19, 2018, 01:26:01 PM
Quote from: DesertFox on September 19, 2018, 03:29:19 AM
I saw the mnemonic in the FB group - it comes from a SANS instructor.

And from a 01.10 I am going to be part of Cisco SE structure - hope it is going to be funnier than my current workplace. 8)

SE roles generally are more funnerer. :)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on October 22, 2018, 08:56:26 AM
Spent the last 14 days labbing up everything I could for JNCIP-SEC. Lots of trial and error getting Security Director, Log Director and Sky ATP going but it was a good learning experience. Passed the JNCIP-SEC exam on Friday morning right before I left to Barcelona to party  :)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on October 22, 2018, 10:51:00 AM
awsome

8)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on October 22, 2018, 05:35:07 PM
Quote from: SimonV on October 22, 2018, 08:56:26 AM
Spent the last 14 days labbing up everything I could for JNCIP-SEC. Lots of trial and error getting Security Director, Log Director and Sky ATP going but it was a good learning experience. Passed the JNCIP-SEC exam on Friday morning right before I left to Barcelona to party  :)

:applause:
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: SimonV on November 07, 2018, 03:01:28 AM
Halfway through the JNCDA course on Open Learning, nothing new but some good tips to add to my design documents :)
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on December 04, 2018, 10:10:13 AM
Passed my FCSE yesterday.

<-- Check out mah sertz... :smug:
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on December 04, 2018, 11:06:12 AM
Quote from: deanwebb on December 04, 2018, 10:10:13 AM
Passed my FCSE yesterday.

<-- Check out mah sertz... :smug:

:applause:
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on December 04, 2018, 01:18:22 PM
I did remove my CCNP-Security, since it was expired... and when I work with Cisco stuff, it's to integrate with $VENDOR that I work for...
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: config t on November 27, 2019, 01:51:37 AM
The role I'm in now is pretty heavy on R&S + VPN and doesn't 'appear' to be going anywhere for a couple years (thank you newborn infant Jesus). With that I am looking at the new CCNP-Sec Core +SVPN badge.. or.. cert.. or whatever it is. Since my industry is also moving steadily into Palo Alto and away from ASA I would like to start moving in that direction as well.

I think a CISSP with the above, and my newly minted TS, I should be able to carve out a neiche with a skill set that I can demand outrageous amounts of money for while saying stuff like, "I'm just the firewall guy.. you need to talk to the net admin or the engineer about that.."

I'm pondering CISSP -> CCNP-SEC Core -> CCNP-SEC SVPN -> PCNSA as my learning path - Because I'm not in a hurry and those other certs can be used as CEU's.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on November 27, 2019, 08:58:45 AM
Scheduling TSHOOT for December sometime. Want to recert before the new exams. Need to do my CISSP for 8570 requirements. Wasn't planning on doing it till mid next year, but we just got word that our company did not get the last option year. If I can get it done it makes me look better to the new company that will be taking over our work.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: config t on November 27, 2019, 11:16:10 AM
Quote from: Otanx on November 27, 2019, 08:58:45 AM
Scheduling TSHOOT for December sometime. Want to recert before the new exams. Need to do my CISSP for 8570 requirements. Wasn't planning on doing it till mid next year, but we just got word that our company did not get the last option year. If I can get it done it makes me look better to the new company that will be taking over our work.

-Otanx

Best of luck on the TSHOOT. It's definitely a good call to recert now.

What is your plan for CISSP? 8570-minded people definitely view it as CISSP>CASP. Even for networking which honestly makes no sense but we can make more money by having it so.... yeah.

I ordered the Mike Chapple Official study guide and practice test books on Amazon with the idea of having the books before I go to Kuwait next month.. but I accidentally had them sent home to AZ instead of my FPO so now damn if I know the turnaround to have the family shoot it out to Bahrain.

In addition to that I am leaning on work experience (plus I already have CASP) and YouTube videos.. might also fire up my CBT nuggets account if I don't feel comfortable enough by February when I intend to test.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Otanx on November 27, 2019, 12:50:55 PM
Just going to YOLO it before the end of December. What I didn't mention was the last option year starts 1FEB so unless there are contract protests I will need to apply to my own job in the middle of January.

I will probably look at the SDLC stuff before I go in, but I am pretty familiar with the different domains. My wife has held it for several years, and I helped her study back in the day. We have about 20 - 25% of the staff that hold the CISSP, and another 30% or so studying for it so it is a constant topic around here. If I do fail then it will depend on the new contract. Our customer gets a bunch of SANS vouchers, and I am senior enough I can probably get one if I ask. I just don't want to spend a week in class going over all the topics.

-Otanx
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: icecream-guy on November 28, 2019, 06:26:47 AM
Quote from: config t on November 27, 2019, 01:51:37 AM

I think a CISSP with the above, and my newly minted TS, I should be able to carve out a neiche with a skill set that I can demand outrageous amounts of money for while saying stuff like, "I'm just the firewall guy.. you need to talk to the net admin or the engineer about that.."

I'm pondering CISSP -> CCNP-SEC Core -> CCNP-SEC SVPN -> PCNSA as my learning path - Because I'm not in a hurry and those other certs can be used as CEU's.

CISSP you need a few years in the field, (see requirements rules)
Cisco, the ASA is going away,  look into the Cisco 4100's or 9300 virtual appliances, the FTD because that is the way its going.  if you are not already working with FTD, consider some of the GIAC certs, PCNSA is a good start for the Palo.

I'm also thinking about a similar path but without the Cisco,   PCNSA I've been working on,  I downloaded the book from PA and read it a few times,  get that, the the next PA level PCNSE  since I can get the hands on with PA at work every day,
and then CISSP,

Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: Netwörkheäd on November 28, 2019, 04:58:05 PM
When $VENDOR releases a new exam, I'll get to take it as part of my job.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: config t on December 01, 2019, 12:09:06 PM
Quote from: ristau5741 on November 28, 2019, 06:26:47 AM

CISSP you need a few years in the field, (see requirements rules)
Cisco, the ASA is going away,  look into the Cisco 4100's or 9300 virtual appliances, the FTD because that is the way its going.  if you are not already working with FTD, consider some of the GIAC certs, PCNSA is a good start for the Palo.

I'm also thinking about a similar path but without the Cisco,   PCNSA I've been working on,  I downloaded the book from PA and read it a few times,  get that, the the next PA level PCNSE  since I can get the hands on with PA at work every day,
and then CISSP,


Since writing that post I'm strongly considering abandoning the Cisco portion of my path. Seems redundant and I could easily just say I know it on my resume and stand tall when questioned about it. Maybe I'm just conditioned to think that MOAR CISCO CERTS IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER!!!111111

I watched a youtube video on the current CISSP req's.. and I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night so I'm practically an expert  :smug:

No but seriously I've been rambling around high security environments for about 10 years now so I think I'm set on the "experience in two domains" aspect. Plus I can knock off a year just for having CASP.

Thanks for the tip on the PA study materials. I had no idea they were available for free. It's the hands on piece that I'm going to have to make an investment in since at the moment my customer is using Fortinet. I'm told it's going away (at the speed of government), however I know I won't be the one managing it.

A buddy of mine who is managing PA stuffs for a major project suggested I can pick up a PA-50 with a lab use license for pretty cheap. I like physical hardware but I'm not sure if I can get it shipped to my FPO.

Cheers

Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on December 05, 2019, 05:25:01 PM
MOAR SERTS is the answer at the start of the career, but by the middle and end, I think we've all found out that they're needed if you're with a VAR or contractor, but not necessarily the only cert path one can take. CCNP got my foot in the door for an interview, but it was actual experience and skills that got me the jobs and which opened up other opportunities.

My current big cert, FSCE, is more for $VENDOR quality control of installation techs than it is for getting into jobs with other firms. Granted, VARs that do Forescout work are always banging on my LinkedIn door, but my next step won't be sideways, if I keep my nose clean and my mind sharp.
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: config t on December 18, 2019, 05:27:32 AM
Just realized I've been posting in the 2018 thread..  :XD:
Title: Re: Certification and Career Goals for 2018
Post by: deanwebb on December 18, 2019, 10:40:02 AM
Quote from: config t on December 18, 2019, 05:27:32 AM
Just realized I've been posting in the 2018 thread..  :XD:

Quick, start the 2020 thread, so nobody notices!