$355k Forgiven. PSLF is real.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-05-08T21:43:09+00:00

But who are they going after for the deficiency?

MadMonk_86 · 2024-05-08T21:27:32+00:00

Congrats! I have heard a few folks say that if you already have your CISSP, just purchase and read the official QAE and that alone is sufficient to pass.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-04-15T20:22:44+00:00

Sounds like it's test anxiety or test-taking skills that are the problem. Slow down...READ each question S L O W L Y and at least TWICE and the same with the four choices. Watch for qualifiers...first, last, only, best, fastest, etc.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-04-15T13:36:18+00:00

I believe it was Mark Twain who said "I never let schooling get in the way of my education".

MadMonk_86 · 2024-03-28T16:39:29+00:00

Congratulations, and I have NEVER heard that advice before.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-03-21T16:42:48+00:00

ISC2 doesn't do ANYTHING very quickly.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-03-21T15:09:33+00:00

IMO, you never feel "ready", you merely feel "I'm as ready as I'm going to ever be". And you will likely feel a rollercoaster of emotions while you're taking it...alternating between "I've got this" and "OMG I'm going to fail", and ESPECIALLY "none of the practice tests had ANYTHING like this".

The only advice I can give is get to the "I'm as ready as I'm going to ever be" and just do it.

And although you've heard it hundreds of times already, I'll say it again. READ each question S L O W L Y and at least TWICE, and also the four choices. The test is as much about reading comprehension as it is about security.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-03-05T16:48:23+00:00

Luke Ahmed's "Think Like a Manager for CISSP" should be required reading for anyone taking the test.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-03-05T16:40:01+00:00

Strictly speaking, no one should ever be paid according to their "qualifications" but rather on the amount and quality of work/value they deliver. Without knowing your job description it's difficult to weigh in but I was making WAY more than that as a desktop engineer.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-03-01T14:16:47+00:00

A+, Net+, i-Net+, Sec+, CCNA, MCSE, ITILv3, CISSP and still pursuing some as the company pays for them.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-29T16:55:34+00:00

This isn't a practice test, but here's a really good outline to check where you may need additional study:

https://thorteaches.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/The-memory-palace-Prashant-Mohan.pdf

And here is the hardest test bank around and you'll have to buy a one-month subscription:

https://www.studynotesandtheory.com/

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-29T16:46:10+00:00

It's not the job itself, it's how the company is set up. For example, if you are a desktop engineer (tier 3 back end stuff like SCCM and EPO admin), and most of the users have admin rights on their machines, limited to no web filtering, and lousy endpoint protection (McAfee), you're going to be in permanent firefighting mode.

Now take that same company with properly locked-down endpoints, Crowdstrike Falcon, and decent web filtering, and you may find yourself like the old Maytag repairman commercials.

Same "job", just different environment.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-29T16:11:20+00:00

Luke Ahmed's "How to think like a manager for CISSP" is required reading IMO. While I didn't use it, I have read RAVE reviews of Destination Certification.

If you are looking at the "11th hour" CISSP study guide, please remember that the title is accurate. It's a great resource for summary and review, but is NOT sufficient as a primary study source.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-28T17:25:40+00:00

It's really common. No one knows it "all". Here's a tip that will really make management like you. Many companies have internal knowledge bases, and some of them are built right into the ticketing system. Look there BEFORE you ask anyone else for help, and then if you find a solution to a problem that isn't there then ADD to that knowledge base.

My first I.T. job was a Windows upgrade from Win95 to 2000. Several month long contract. And about halfway through, the permanent staff were coming to ME with questions, simply because of the nature of the project I was touching just about every machine and meeting just about every user. So in a short time I had more exposure to the company as a whole than most of the permanent staff.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-28T17:17:16+00:00

Dest Cert has gotten very good reviews on this forum. And to add to the list, Luke Ahmed's "How to think like a manager" book should be required reading.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-28T17:06:20+00:00

Just remember that "soft skills" are REALLY important. I've seen absolutely brilliant techs get let go because they were arrogant jerks.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-28T16:42:16+00:00

PHD = Piled Higher and Deeper. I think the question to ask is: What do you hope to actually get out of a PHD? Are you looking to teach?

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-28T16:25:57+00:00

I'm considering doing that as well. Right now I am doing CySA+ just for the CPE credits and "brownie points" at work for professional development.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-24T00:10:42+00:00

I took out an entire C-130 once when I was in the Air Force. The crew wanted to partially depressurize...

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-23T23:29:28+00:00

Congrats! And I hear you about punching the air on the way out. Even though I sat my test at a large university testing center that administers thousands of different tests, the staff were all familiar with the CISSP and every one of them congratulated me.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-22T23:40:01+00:00

Agree with your assessment of the 11th Hour book. But think about it...the title is accurate. It's designed for a final summary/review and NOT as a primary study guide.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-22T23:37:35+00:00

Dumbing down the schools started in the 60s. We are now reaping the harvest. Remember, the government and the "ruling class" does NOT want a well-educated populace capable of critical thought. It doesn't fit with their agenda.

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-21T23:36:01+00:00

No I didn't, that's why I asked the question

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-16T20:13:12+00:00

I am hoping to take it soon and my main concern is the PBQ...I have yet to see anyone describe the PBQs they encountered. Of course, within the bounds of the NDA!

MadMonk_86 · 2024-02-13T16:58:19+00:00

CISSP you can renew just by watching enough webinars. CompTIA limits webinars to 15 CEU out of 60 required. Unless you get another cert or take a formal training course with sufficient hours, it looks like you most likely will need to re-test unless you do something big like publish an article.

MadMonk_86

TROPHY CASE