Entry Level Cyber Security Certifications
You may be wondering.. another post on some certifications for cyber security. Honestly, I don’t like wasting time. It is the most precious resource we all have. Let me get straight to the point.
Entry Level Cyber Security Certification Recommendation
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PakfFUeOpkk
CompTIA Security +
This certification was my first ever actually. I had messed around enough with computers and had taken a few courses on networking that I didn’t think I needed the other certifications.
Difficulty: 6/10
I don’t think it was a difficult certification, most of it is pure remembering and the other parts are about people and how to prioritize security issues.
How Did I study?
I made about 300 flashcards with all of the key terms out of the test objectives. Outside of that, I took about three practice tests that I found online. No more, no less, pure studying.
CompTIA PenTest +
Difficulty 7/10
I would say that this certificate was actually slightly harder than the previous one, but only because it requires you to do hands-on projects and practice.
How Did I Study?
For this one, I completed about 10 try hack me boxes and started learning some basic python. Once I started getting the basics of pentesting, I realized that most attacks are the same. The only real difference is the initial exploit, how to traverse through systems, and how to stay hidden while exfiltrating precious data. Outside of those, the pentesting cycle is similar. Reconnaissance, vulnerability analysis, password attacks, exploiting, staying hidden, and doing a report of the whole attack.
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
Difficulty 6/10
This one is very similar to Security+, the main difference is that it is centered around businesses and how to deal with security issues as a company owner, CTO, security lead, etc. There were a few more keywords in there about project management, and business security but outside of that it was mostly like the Security+.
How Did I Study?
I really did not study for this, I went over my Security + flashcards like once and then took the test.
Real World Recommendations:
If you are getting these certifications paid for, do all of them. If you are not and you have to pay for them, I recommend doing SSCP for the professional network and it initiates progress towards earning your CISSP. Then take the PenTest+ with CompTIA so that you can get a taste of what real world pentests will be like.
If you would like to get all of these paid for and get a degree, check out Western Governors University! I did their B.S. in Cyber in 6 months. If you want to know how I did that, let me know!
