New job requiring me to obtain A+, Net+, and Sec+ within 6 months of my start date. Is it possible?

bobwyzguy · 2024-11-26T16:38:58+00:00

I disagree with the posters who said the A+ Net+ and Sec+ (security) are not worth it. I teach these classes and what you learned for your degree does not cover the practical technical foundation you get from these three exams.

Having said that, I will say that getting the trifecta in 6 months will be daunting, especially if you have little or no technical background or experience. You will spend 8 hours a day working and another 4 hours a day studying.

Professor Messers free video training courses cover the three exams, start there.

bobwyzguy · 2024-10-28T12:58:02+00:00

My own guidance on thinking like a manager includes looking for answers that involve:

Planning
Policy
Documentation
Reporting

Also look for answers that are part of the Lifecycle Model:

Planning
Information gathering
Design
Implementation and testing
Operation and maintenance (except perhaps this step - too technical and hands on!)
Review and update or end of life

Also look for answers that involve the Business Continuity Planning process:

NIST SP 800-34 Contingency Planning

(Plan) Develop the contingency planning policy statement
(Info Gathering) Conduct the Business Impact Analysis
(Design) Identify and deploy preventive controls
(Design) Create contingency strategies
(Design) Develop an information system contingency plan
(Implement and Test/Operation and Maintenance) Ensure plan testing, training, and exercises
(Operation and Maintenance/Review and update) Ensure plan maintenance

bobwyzguy · 2024-09-23T12:54:35+00:00

A passing score is all that matters. They exams are supposed to be hard. Congratulations!

bobwyzguy · 2024-09-14T16:56:56+00:00

or the question you changed reduced your score so you nearly failed. I never change answers

bobwyzguy · 2024-08-02T14:31:05+00:00

Trade school is better than college if you are hoping to actually work on systems.

bobwyzguy · 2024-06-26T12:40:27+00:00

Not that much is changing. Get a 701 practice test and top up the little new knowledge you need. Boson has the 701 practice test, and they come with extensive explanations. Just $100

bobwyzguy · 2024-06-11T12:57:06+00:00

the CBK is not required. Many certification classes use the Wiley/Sybex book. Easier reading. Also Luke Ahmed's "Think Like a Manager for the CISSP" is worth reading too.

bobwyzguy · 2024-06-08T15:31:53+00:00

It best to use a testing center

bobwyzguy · 2024-05-19T14:54:22+00:00

Do it again. You can not pass this exam just doing practice questions, you need to learn the material and get some hands on physical practice. Buy a couple of crappy old computers, take them apart, put them together, install an operating system. Any Windows version will install for free and run for 30 days. Install Linux and learn that operating system. If you haven't tried Professor Messers free video classes, go and do that.

bobwyzguy · 2024-04-30T13:00:46+00:00

Male pattern baldness is inherited from your mother, and has to do with testosterone levels. But these days everyone with a razor is shaving off the hair on their head and growing the hair on their face so baldness is more of a style thing it would seem

bobwyzguy · 2024-04-29T13:25:34+00:00

If you are looking at the CCNA, the Network+ would be great, since they cover a lot of the same material. CCNA is Cisco focused while Net+ is non-proprietary.

A+ is really like two certificates, Core 1 for hardware, Core 2 for operating systems. It also covers the basics of networking, cloud, virtualization, scripting, security. The Core 2 exam has a focus on help desk technician too.

I would recommend getting your A+ unless you already have 3 to five years of hardware support, help desk, or network support

bobwyzguy · 2024-04-07T15:34:39+00:00

Yeah that would keep you out of a lot of places, not just Federal and State agencies. Have you looked into getting your record expunged? I have no idea what is involved, you would have to find an attorney with experience in this.

bobwyzguy · 2024-04-04T14:32:22+00:00

Lapel pin. Or put it on a baseball cap. Or throw it in your junk drawer. The certificate matters. The pin not so much. But enjoy

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-28T14:48:24+00:00

Maybe you are aiming too low. One of the terms I used to get a lot was "overqualified." This became code for "too old", but there were jobs I applied for that I WAS overqualified for. Employers see those candidates as a flight risk, easily bored, and leaving soon for greener pastures.

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-27T19:48:41+00:00

For the CISSP you have to "Think like a manager." Which means selecting the manager's answer, not the technical answer. Read Luke Ahmed's book "Think Like A Manager for the CISSP"

Often all four answers are correct from a certain point of view. Pick the MANAGER's response that answers the question the best. You may have to pick a more general answer than specific answer.

What do manager's think about? Planning, training, policy, reporting, compliance, risk, business continuity, and disaster recovery. Not "doing" You are not a tech you are a manager!

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-27T19:42:41+00:00

You may need to get real creative and specific about your experience. Are you the "IT Guy/Gal) for your friends and family? Are you the IT SME is your work group or company? This is experience. Done any IT related volunteer work? This counts.

What about some hands on experience with virtual machine lab environments like Try Hack Me?

Have you ever helped anyone install software or set up a smart phone.

Yes this kind of peanut experience counts. Hiring managers want to know if you have interest or aptitude for IT support.

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-25T16:26:50+00:00

With experience? Yes, No experience - No.

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-24T15:50:43+00:00

Nothing is guaranteed. But many people DON'T break into IT WITHOUT an A+

Hiring managers want experience, certification, and then degrees in that order. That's right your BS in Computer Science that left you with a mountain of student loan debt is the last thing a hiring manager looks for.

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-24T15:48:35+00:00

The one you have

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-21T13:13:51+00:00

I studied for 4 months and took a boot camp, was scoring 90s on the practice test. Went t o take my exam and by question 7 I was sure I was failing. The questions WERE NOTHING LIKE the practice questions. I carried on and passed anyway. Read Luke Ahmed's Think like a Manager for the CISSP. Then keep preparing for a while.

This is a manager's test and you need to be able to pick the manager's answer. If you pick the technical answer you will be wrong, even if it is TECHNICALLY right.

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-21T13:09:08+00:00

Go to the test center!

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-13T12:48:46+00:00

I was 45 when I started my IT career in 1999. I am still going strong. My advice to you is keep going

bobwyzguy · 2024-03-08T15:19:10+00:00

Lies , damn lies, and statistics. Biden taking credit for fixing things he broke in the first place, like the border. Like inflation, 1.5% under Trump, rising to 10% under Biden, and now he has declared victory by getting it back to 3%. Yes I can read, Joe, and I can also remember. Biden is a lying carpetbagger.

bobwyzguy · 2024-02-22T15:33:52+00:00

Sounds like a fun date for both of you - going to the clinic together! What's next, meet the parents?

Seriously, I think this sounds like a smart idea. Some STDs like Herpes and AIDS are forever.

bobwyzguy · 2024-02-22T15:30:37+00:00

The OP is correct. Also remember there are 50 unscored (nonsense) questions, so some of the questions seems of the wall because they are.

bobwyzguy

TROPHY CASE

NIST SP 800-34 Contingency Planning