Two for one

[mooret]

Hi all

Ive got two questions hope someone can answer them for me.

1.One of my colleagues is thinking of taking CCNP certification , my question here is what are the advantages/disadvantages of such certificate . also career wise what does the certificate unables you to do. Ive also heard that its quite a costly certificate to enrol for ( therefor my question is on average how much more money are people with CCNP getting compared to those who do not have it)


2. Websense.com have a really go web filtering software package aswell as a good web security suite. My question here is are their any Opensource alternatives out there that match either of these two suite of software packages ?

cheers

[foxyloxley]

You need to do CCNA first, to get the full benefit of CCNP.
So the cost has just gone up, along with the time scale

CCNA = 25 - 30 k
CCNP = 40 - 50 k

based on job adverts on Jobserve.com

IT will be taken a sproof that you have a deep understanding of TCP/IP protocols [amongst others] and networking in general.

You could start on the other side of Cisco's pyramid :

CCDA - CCDP

all leading to CCIE Internet Expert.

[edit]
Get CCNA find employment, get them to sponser CCNP

CCNP can be up to £5000

[mooret]

Thanks.

He is currently doing CCNA at University and thus the university offers CCNP ( but not as part of his course) he is trying take it even if it means changing his course.

He did mention that he had heard that CCNP accreditation would cost upto £7000 . So i thought id ask to find out what is so good about CCNP.

so you get around 10-20,000 more on average if you have CCNP .



Anyone here have CCNP ? and if so what kind of jobs do you have/do . Just want to get some ideas as to whether its worth doing it.

cheers

[foxyloxley]

Jobserve.co.ukSearch for CCNP = 240 hits UK wide in the last 7 days

[ByTeWrangler]

Greeting's

Okay I want to put up my problem here. Forgive me if it sounds silly. I am from commerce background and hence I cannot get job in the country i am from because here they see degree and not the practical Capability (I am trying to get job in computer industry either as a CSO or CISO)...
I have just started in computer security but I am trying my best. Anyway here is the deal I have decided to do the following :

Get MCSE in windows server 2003 with security as speciality
Then I plan to do CCNA
I am also planning to give Security A+ from COMPTIA
last but not the least i plant to do MBA in IT/SYSTEM's

and after 4 years of experience I will give CISSP. (Is there an eqivalent exam but without the 4 years of experience part)

This is my plan for the future. Do you think all these certs and a degree will get me a good job. Ofcourse Ill not take exam just for the sake of passing but for getting practical knowledge.

So any suggestion. Thanks a millions for any valuable suggestion as this concerns my future and my life.

[foxyloxley]

Do Comp TIA first, as is a quick course, with recognised exam.

Comp TIA N+ as a filler before CCNA if you have no or little knowledge of networking / routers etc

MCP in 2k3 [quicker]

MBA then CISSP ?
Q] What are you going to be when you finish studying ?
A] OLD

[ByTeWrangler]

I am 19 now and by end for this year Ill do Comptia in security and then by end of april 2006 I should have done MCP in WIn2k3.

then till end of march 2007 I plan to do my CCNA and and one more cource then only my MBA remains CISSP will have to wait.

I totally respect your advise esp the part " What are you going to be when you finish studying ?"
but then thats life as of now (CRAP CRAP)

I really appriciate your advise and help, Thanks a million.