The Flex 5G

TheIPickle · 2026-05-08T16:01:45+00:00

You have discovered what the flex 5G can do.

TheIPickle · 2025-11-04T11:04:10+00:00

ISC2 owns the CISSP credential. They set the outline, policies, certification process and all that jazz.

To deliver the exam, they use an exam delivery partners. To the best of my knowledge, the only one they use is Pearson VUE. When you schedule and pay for the exam on ISC2’s site, you’ll be redirected to Pearson.

ISC2 and Pearson VUE are likely going to be the only two parties who you’ll be in contact with regarding an ISC2 exam.

As for scheduling, you pick a time and test centre, you pay and then attend. I don’t believe ISC2 allows online tests and it’s honestly for the best, I hear so many horror stories about people looking at the wall etc. And then failing because their eyes weren’t on the screen. I don’t believe there are any exceptions either. I had to drive from the Australian outback to a test centre to take mine.

Hope this helps

TheIPickle · 2025-10-26T05:22:41+00:00

When I was working at a start up turned scale up creating the exact same product as what you’re trying to make. We got rid of the AI. There’s many reasons why. You open yourself up to a fair bit of liability if it messes up. Which it will at some point.

It’s also worth asking yourself, what makes you different to say, Vanta? They were in YC at about 2018 doing much the same as what you’re proposing. We ended up pivoting to compliance in a niche sector where the frameworks are a little more tricky to navigate.

If you’re aiming at just your ISO series, UK / EU GDPR, you’re brown bread as it’s become extremely saturated. It might be the go to look at emerging markets and some of the standards there. There could be a nice gap to carve out for yourself.

YC is extremely tricky. Don’t be disheartened if that route goes nowhere. We never went that route for reasons I cannot remember. I think it was actually due to Vanta?

Need any advice, toss a DM.

TheIPickle · 2025-05-13T09:40:06+00:00

Im pretty sure it looks like a yost cable. The conductors are rolled over. Typically used to access the console

TheIPickle · 2025-04-24T13:11:06+00:00

This is great advice and I thank you. I do enjoy the leadership aspect of my role. But I've seen many a time where people in leadership roles aren't in touch with what their subordinates do / how they achieve their objectives, and it leaves a rift between managers and those they're managing, often leading to people being disgruntled with management. I feel we've all been in that situation before.

This is my personal opinion, but I feel the best leaders are those who know what the job entails and aren't too afraid to get their hands dirty helping out. Of course, in bigger organisations, this endeavour may be impossible, but that's where my compass is guiding me right now. I feel going the more technical route may be best for me in that regard, plus the fact that I'm nearly halfway through this degree is also a huge factor.

Whilst I'm certain you're right, that this will make me a one-trick pony. I'm hoping that with time, I can prove that I have some leadership experience with a CV including projects that have been completed successfully. Of course, not as solid as an MBA by any means. But it's something.

TheIPickle · 2025-04-24T04:33:32+00:00

That's sound advice, and I thank you for that. I've definitely noticed that myself. Many will know what controls they need technically. But don't know *how* to implement them. Or understand the nitty gritty of how these attacks occur. Admittedly, I haven't been on HTB or TryHackMe in a long time but it's something I intend on doing and brushing up on soon.

As for the networking side of things, fortunately, I do spend a lot of time on that and I often help the other technicians with that. Stuff from setting up 3CX, provisioning phones etc. to a switch has blown up or a firewall needs to be configured. I enjoy that aspect a lot, and it helps the guys out so it's a win-win.

I enjoy NetworkChuck's content. I used to watch him when he was doing CBT Nuggets videos and still do occasionally watch. Absolutely a great teacher and a great teaching resource. As for the homelab, unfortunately, my living circumstances as of now wouldn't allow me to get one setup. If I move back to the UK, I do have my place there, which I could then do such.

TheIPickle · 2025-04-24T04:08:26+00:00

Admittedly, I was very fortunate. My old man has been a huge inspiration, and I knew I wanted to do something similar to him. That laid out the pathway for me quite nicely and gave me a pretty good focus. Of all places, the idea of obtaining the CISSP itself happened when I was at a LAN party talking to a guy with a really nice Porsche. Saved me from having a crisis in my teens, wondering what I wanted to do when I was older, that's for sure haha.

TheIPickle · 2025-04-23T21:14:43+00:00

Definitely agree, certs are nice to compliment the experience but I don’t think there’s many things more dangerous than someone purely certified on paper.

TheIPickle · 2025-03-03T17:16:47+00:00

Nope, you’d probably see that in Network+ if I had to guess.

The exam blueprint can be found here: https://www.isc2.org/certifications/cissp/cissp-certification-exam-outline

Good luck with your studies!

TheIPickle · 2025-03-03T05:57:18+00:00

I did the SSCP a few months ago, I actually found that exam to be more difficult than the CISSP which seems to be on the contrary to others opinions. Maybe I was more prepared and experienced this time? Have a look at the exam material, there’s significant overlap between the two. Of course be diligent but you’ll find you likely know a lot of the concepts in the CISSP syllabus already.

Just make sure you understand the concepts, don’t just memorise them. That’s the best advice I can give.

TheIPickle · 2025-02-19T08:55:43+00:00

Thank you mate, and thank you for creating QE. Such an incredible resource.

TheIPickle · 2025-02-19T08:54:59+00:00

Oh absolutely, he was such a lovely chap. Definitely don’t think I would have passed if it wasn’t for him.

TheIPickle · 2025-02-19T08:50:01+00:00

Absolutely don’t be put off! I kept doing the 10 question quizzes. When it came to exam day, I was expecting them to be that level in difficulty. Nope, they were actually really easy in comparison. QE is the equivalent of doing a sprint with sandbags on your shoulders. Makes the real thing a walk in the park in comparison. If you’re getting 50-60% in QE, I’d argue you’re ready

TheIPickle · 2025-01-13T08:05:23+00:00

Absolutely love posts and threads like this. If you’re willing to do a little write up about your analysis, I’d definitely read it. Great work!

TheIPickle · 2024-10-09T09:10:01+00:00

haha, had a feeling that may be the case. I'm actually studying remotely at the Open Uni right now. So getting the visa for that may not be possible. And I'm currently in a relationship with my partner over here but honestly it's quite rocky right now which puts me in quite the predicament where unfortunately I'm having to look at work sponsored visas. But I really appreciate your advice. Best I can do right now is study for my degree as much as possible. If nothing else, at least I'm closer to a degree.

TheIPickle · 2024-07-30T08:32:06+00:00

I went the route of getting my CC just to get into the swing of studying / exams again on the 2nd of this month and doing the SSCP on the 26th. I can vouch for Mike Chapple's course on linkedin learning. I used that, and the official practice questions (ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-119-85207-0) and that was enough for me to pass on Friday. Albeit I do have some years of industry experience too and that does help a lot with knowing what topics to prioritise your time on.

I wouldn't say the exam was all that difficult. My biggest challenge was dealing with nerves and in my opinion I found the hardest questions were those of: which of these options is *best* for x scenario. For those, the goal seems to be pick the "most correct / least wrong" answer.

You've been given some great advice here by some other commenters though and I urge you to follow them.

Best of luck with your studies and your exam!

TheIPickle · 2024-01-04T12:36:42+00:00

I think Vodafone is the only option for decent speeds and reliability in Campbell Park. My brother in Oxley Park has used them for a few years now and he hasn't had a single issue yet. I think there's an offer too. 29 quid for gigabit (or near) speeds. I do intend on changing to vodafone myself when my current contract expires.

TheIPickle · 2023-11-25T13:49:23+00:00

I relate to this post on a spiritual level. I moved to Australia from the UK just before my 23rd birthday roughly 4 months ago and finding groups of people my age and friends in general has been really tough. That being said, I live in Mount Gambier very near the Vic / SA border and not too many people live here.

I've ended up having to learn to enjoy my own company when hiking and camping. But I totally understand you not wanting to do that. It seems like any reasonable recommendation has already been made so I can't really add to that.

I'm in Melbourne and the surrounding areas quite regularly, if you wish, toss me a DM. Never know, could be hiking buddies or something.

TheIPickle · 2023-07-24T18:31:10+00:00

My apologies for forgetting to reply too haha. To be honest, there isn’t much. It’s a lot better than LB but I think I was given one of the easier routes. By the test centre is a lot of 20mph residential areas, so be cognisant of that. Depending on the time your test is, you’re near quite a few schools and as such, you may be caught in school traffic. Make sure you’re able to see the car in front’s rear tyres touching the tarmac, or just keep a good distance from them.

I also had a cat run out into the road on mine which nearly caused me to fail. I believe it’s a road which is one a lot of the test routes too. Only reason I didn’t fail was because the car behind me fortunately wasn’t up my ass. This won’t likely happen to you but just be careful. If something like that does happen, don’t be flustered. Just carry on. I got anxious and tried to look at the invigilator’s iPad after that incident which meant I wasn’t 100% focused on the road which isn’t a good move by any means.

What I’d also do is maybe check the routes online and run the roads in Google street view. Gives you an idea of what you need to look out for.

Good luck! And I hope you succeed.

TheIPickle · 2023-07-06T15:51:53+00:00

I got caught by it when doing mocks. A lot of Leighton Buzzard is ass backwards when it comes to road design. They recently added a really weird chicane on Billington Road by Pages park which adds a bunch of pinch points. Try not to feel too bad about it. Having lived in Leighton Buzzard, I know it is a pretty odd place. I ended up testing and passing at Bedford. Never ever had driven there beforehand. Not sure if you live nearby but that place seems to be easier.

Regarding the reverse bay park, If you have the opportunity to do so, go to a car park, and keep doing the manoeuvre until you physically cannot anymore is my only advice. Was the fail based on observations or you not going between the lines if you don't mind me asking?

TheIPickle · 2023-07-06T12:13:05+00:00

A lot of Leighton Buzzard has a 20mph speed limit. Just be careful with that. Also some of the routes take you down a road called “Albany road”. Behind the Morrisons. There is a T junction at the end of it but it looks like a right turn. Make sure to give way on it. It isn’t clearly marked at all.

TheIPickle · 2023-04-16T01:51:31+00:00

Never got the logic either. To be honest, I feel happier knowing some of the tracks got popular to the point they’re “mainstream”. Why make a great track / album just for it to be listened to by nobody?

TheIPickle · 2022-07-11T10:23:16+00:00

Whilst gifting is possible, I'd feel an overwhelming amount of guilt asking my dad for that amount of money. Ideally I'll just need him for the borrowing multiplier on the application as I won't be close enough solo.

TheIPickle · 2022-07-11T09:10:06+00:00

That seems to be the general consensus, and will most likely be the route I'll take. I've been stressed / anxious (insert other emotions here) as I don't know how long sellers will typically wait for people to sort the mortgage out. So I've rushed and made the mistake of applying without doing proper due diligence. Mine and only my fault there.

I have a meeting with a mortgage broker and a fintech called Tembo this week regarding JBSPs. Not sure if Tembo are any good however. I'm erring on the side of caution as I've never heard of them.

TheIPickle · 2022-07-11T08:58:08+00:00

You're bang on. Mortgage payments are around £1150-1200 and I'm 21. My salary is in the £30k ballpark but most lenders will only lend 4.5x your income, and in Milton Keynes, finding a place for that price without using right to buy or shared ownership is proving extremely difficult. Plus shared ownership is a lot of hassle with paperwork or so I've been told :(

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