What Cert Next: Security+ or CCENT?

anthonyfrusso3167 · 2013-10-22T19:47:37.000Z

Hi All!

20yr server admin and support guy here with previous CCNA, MCSE certs long expired. Current certs are A+, Network+, and Server+. I know I am definitely going for CCNA again this year, but would suggest I squeeze in the Security+ first or go for the CCENT? (Yeah, I want to break the CCNA up–easier to study that way.)

I’m guessing each might take me 15-20 hours to study for, but which would ya’ll suggest is most immediately marketable?

Thanks!

-Anthony

itrick · 2013-10-22T19:50:01.000Z

Security+ is vendor neutral and CCENT is obvious, so I guess it all depends on your target. To be honest though, I would go for the Security+ first, since that will help you anywhere you go, not to mention you already have a good amount of CompTIA certs to complement it.

scottalanmiller · 2013-10-22T19:50:17.000Z

Neither CCENT nor the Sec+ are very marketable on their own. They are “add ons” to other certs, mainly system certs like the MCSE or RHCE. Of the two, Sec+ probably goes further, especially as the CCENT is redundant with your Net+.

sanjaysingh1243 · 2013-10-22T20:06:36.000Z

heh

Oh the decade long “it’s complicated” love affair i’ve had with CCNA.

I’ve done CCNA training since i was 15 and i am yet to write the damn exams. Something always pops up.

neal5362 · 2013-10-22T22:03:35.000Z

As already mentioned the security+ would probably help you more. As Scott Alan Miller said, CCENT is redundant if you have network+, it is almost the same exam from what I hear. CCNA however is much more advanced and valued if you are going the network route. Security+ will compliment whatever you go into, especially as security is becoming more necessary.

Bud-G · 2013-10-23T00:26:55.000Z

I agree with SAM, you have Network+, go for the Security+. Having the Network+ and Security+ and a little extra studying, from what I’ve heard (I have no personal experience in the matter) you should be able to do CCNA.

anthonyfrusso3167 · 2013-10-23T13:21:06.000Z

Thanks, Guys. I decided to forge ahead with Sec+. I think in the short term it will give the most bang for the buck. I’ve had a lot of recruiters ask if I had it, so it’d be good to be able to say, “Yep!”

Thanks again!

christopherfakhar6940 · 2013-10-23T13:43:26.000Z

Scott Alan Miller:

Neither CCENT nor the Sec+ are very marketable on their own. They are “add ons” to other certs, mainly system certs like the MCSE or RHCE. Of the two, Sec+ probably goes further, especially as the CCENT is redundant with your Net+.

Isn’t Sec+ required as a baseline for government jobs that entail IT Security, almost like a baseline for clearance?

Bud-G · 2013-10-23T14:57:49.000Z

Scotch1337:

Scott Alan Miller:

Neither CCENT nor the Sec+ are very marketable on their own. They are “add ons” to other certs, mainly system certs like the MCSE or RHCE. Of the two, Sec+ probably goes further, especially as the CCENT is redundant with your Net+.

Isn’t Sec+ required as a baseline for government jobs that entail IT Security, almost like a baseline for clearance?

Yes. It is a part of the DoD 8570.1 requirements. About halfway down the SANS page (http://www.giac.org/certifications/dodd-8570) it lists the certification requirements for the various levels for the DoD.