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Comments
2013: The Year Of Security Certification Bashing
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fcchambers01
fcchambers01,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/26/2013 | 2:52:36 PM
Unfortunate cultural reflection
I'd argue that the denigration you're speaking of has less to do with the industry and related certifications than it does the rising tide of uncivilized discourse in general. We bash the other operating system, the other political party, the other game console... Pretty much the other point of view in general.
stom2
stom2,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/27/2013 | 12:33:49 AM
Is the perpetual cycle of certifications effective?
"Most certifications require either upgrade tests or continuing professional education credits to keep the certification in good standing." - This ruse has been used by the IT industry/vendors ad nauseum to promote their profitable training wing of their business operations. The debate should be not about whether a certification can guarantee success or not - because it doesn't -  but to one of how it can be made more effective rather than being a money making business for the IT industry. To be fair, why should one plop down thousands of dollars to train on a product/service and earn a certification that will be obsolete in a year or two? Training should come with the product/service especially in the cloud era. Experience used to be the benchmark for success not the mere possession of certifications. But these days folks clamor after it for promotions and "getting the job done" rather than doing the job thus neutralizing the effectiveness of certifications. Instead of certifications, low cost IT training should be made available on the web for the IT professionals, especially in light of employers shying away from training them.
aditshar
aditshar,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/27/2013 | 5:07:18 AM
santa 2013
Santa 2013, security dosent seem to be an issue now...source: Capegemini Super Techie Show.

khurtwilliams
khurtwilliams,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/31/2013 | 9:29:50 AM
Occupation versus Professional
According to my research there is only a slight difference in meaning between the words Occupation and Profession.  Apparently professional is used to indicate that the person has specialised knowledge.  I think the security industry has (and needs) both.  I know network professionals who are occupied as part of the security operations teams.  I know professional programmers who occupy their time finding (and remediating) bugs and vulnerabilities in software.  I know system administration professional who are occupied building and testing servers/shystems for security issues.
anon3545279166
anon3545279166,
 User Rank: Apprentice
12/31/2013 | 12:59:23 PM
Splitting hairs....
occupation: a person's usual or principal work or business...: vocation. ...

profession: a vocation requiring knowledge of some department of learning or science. ...

vocation:  a particular occupation, business, or profession;...

via dictionary.reference.com

 

I think I can see why the National Academy of Sciences is confused.

I would consider IT Security as requiring a great deal of knowledge though.  Certification should not get you a job but it should get you in the door.  It should indicate intent or goal.  The beginning, not the end.
linroeder
linroeder,
 User Rank: Apprentice
1/2/2014 | 7:27:45 AM
Cost of Certifications
The biggest problem I see with certifications is, only people who already have a good job and make good money can afford to get them. Those who are working a lower level position and trying to work their way up the ladder can't because you need the certification to get the better job, but you can't afford to take the test. For instance, Comptia Security + exam costs almost $300. That's a lot of money for a person working in Tech Support making $10/hr. A lot of good people are being missed because they can't afford the cert and won't be given a chance to prove themselves without it.
Marilyn Cohodas
Marilyn Cohodas,
 User Rank: Strategist
1/2/2014 | 10:19:15 AM
Re: Cost of Certifications
@LinRoeder. I can see your point about $300 being a large hit for someone just starting out in Tech Support. But I would argue, if you look at that amount over the course of a year, an investment of under $6 a week is pretty small to give you credential that could give you a leg up in getting a better, higher-paid, more responsible position. 
Bob Covello
Bob Covello,
 User Rank: Apprentice
1/3/2014 | 6:51:05 PM
Re: Cost of Certifications
I have to agree with Marilyn here.

When I sat for one of my certification exams , my greatest fear about half-way through the exam was "if I fail this, do I really want to spend the money to take it again?"  I then forced myself to re-focus and finish the next 125 questions. 

All of the certifications have an associateed cost, but the benefits far outweigh the cost.  I have studied for 2 other certifications for which I never sat for the exams!  However, the knowledge that I gained far exceeded the cost of the study guides (one of which was over $100).

Knowledge is KING!  Collaboration is its QUEEN!  That was the underlying the sentiment of my article. 

If youu truly understand the material, sit for the exam and reward yourself for your achievement.  Personal growth is the key, and adding something (such as a certification) that is recognized as a sign of that growth should be embraced, not avoided, and certainly not mocked.

-Bob
Bob Covello
Bob Covello,
 User Rank: Apprentice
1/3/2014 | 6:54:29 PM
Re: Splitting hairs....
You are correct. "Certification ...  should indicate intent or goal.  The beginning, not the end."

Achieving the certification is merely the first step in a path of commitment and study.  It lays a solid foundation on which to expand.  Anyone who obtains a certification and stops leraning is failing the ethical obligation of the certification.
Bob Covello
Bob Covello,
 User Rank: Apprentice
1/3/2014 | 7:01:52 PM
Re: Is the perpetual cycle of certifications effective?
The point about vendor-specific certifications is correct.  Many of the vendors change their products so often as to make the certification impossibly cumbersome to maintain. It is one of the main reasons why I let one of my early certifications lapse. 

However, the vendor-neutral certifications that do not rely on specific product-based knowledge only require the maintenance of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits, many of which may be satisfied at no cost.

You may want to examinne some of those to further your knowledge. 
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