Skip to main content

Is CCNA a good way to get into CyberSecurity?

I passed the CCNA last year and I've seen this question asked a lot. So here's your answer.


CCNA has little to do with Security and Security related beginner certifications like the Security+ and the CEH are better for Security related roles.


But, to understand a lot of stuff in security you need a thorough understanding of networking concepts.

You could just learn all of it for free on the internet, but certifications show a recruiter that you understand it and have been tested. Also, it looks really good on your resume.

You will learn networking concepts that will help you when you start concentrating on Security. Topics like OSI layers and protocols, TCP/IP Model, TCP, UDP, IPv4, IPv6, ARP, DHCP, DNS,  MAC, Encryption, SSH, Telnet, FTP, NAT, SNMP, Routing and Switching protocols(OSPF, RIP, BGP etc).
You will also learn key concepts in network security and general security like WiFi security protocols, ARP and DHCP attacks, threats, vulnerabilities, port security, firewalls, ACLs, Cloud Security and VPNs.

This information and knowledge is vital in your security career.

Now, the main criticism I have about the CCNA is that it is really focused on Cisco products, you will have to learn the Cisco IOS, how their routers and switches work etc. This might not help you that much in Security but it is still extra knowledge that is good to know and maybe you will use it in certain positions.

Similar certifications like Comptia A+, Network+ and Security+ are also great and may be better for knowledge in networking but this completely depends on your location and what companies value more where you live. I live in India and the Cisco certifications hold a higher value compared to the Comptia certs. The Network+ is more general networking and the CCNA is general networking plus Cisco specific networking.

As to final thoughts, the CCNA is absolutely not necessary for a career in Security but the knowledge you gain from it is. It also proves to the people looking at your resume that you have an understanding about these concepts.

The CCNA will also give you opportunities to start working in IT and you can improve your skills and move ahead in your security career while you work.

Don't forget that the CCNA is only a beginner networking certification. To move into and improve your skills in Security you will have to look at other certifications like the OSCP, Security+, eLearn certs, SANS certs, Pentest+, CEH, CISSP, CISM etc. You will also need to start doing CTF's, start using Linux, be updated on Security trends and news and keep learning.

Thanks for reading!

AZID

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Viewed Content:

Final Year Project

I'm in the final semester of my degree and my project is something I've been thinking about for a while. I want to solve a problem, so I formed a team and now the project we are planning on creating is "DDoS Detection". We want to create an app which detects DDoS attacks and stop them live. I haven't really started doing much, but first thing I want to do is get datasets. I will search online for datasets on DDoS attacks. My mentor mentioned that I could create a virtual network in VirtualBox and simulate different types of attacks with some programs I can find online. That sounds pretty interesting and I'm going to do some research and find out if thats something I can do.   2 of my teammates are also helping me write code, we plan on using Python and a machine learning library, mostly Keras, to train the model and learn patterns. Lets see how it goes.
Post a Comment
Read more

I gave my first talk at a Security Conference

Last month I gave a fun little talk called "Plenty of Phish in the Sea" in my local security conference. It was a fun presentation on how I phished my friends in high school.  I used to make music back in high school and sent a phishing link to 3 of my best friends to my "Soundcloud" and asked them to sign in through their email. I had created a fake domain that copied the Soundcloud login page but the form to submit username and password had a php script that sent the credentials to a txt file I had on the server.  My friends had weird passwords of course, one guy had his girlfriends name, another had his favourite sport mentioned, and another friend literally had his whole phone number as his password.  I made jokes about it and kept the whole tone of the presentation humorous.   This talk wasn't very technical, but it was my first time and this was an actual experience. Hopefully, next time my talk is a technical one, where I teach the audience something I le...
Post a Comment
Read more

OverTheWire Bandit: Level 0-14

Bandit Levels Levels 0-14 Levels 14-25 Levels 25-33 Please use Ctrl+F to find your desired Level. Level 0 Bandit Level 0 Level Goal The goal of this level is for you to log into the game using SSH. The host to which you need to connect is bandit.labs.overthewire.org, on port 2220. The username is bandit0 and the password is bandit0. Once logged in, go to the Level 1 page to find out how to beat Level 1. Commands you may need to solve this level 2/31 ssh kali@kali:~$ ssh bandit0@172.9.9.176 -p 2220 password: bandit0 Level 0 -> Level 1 Level Goal The password for the next level is stored in a file called readme located in the home directory. Use this password to log into bandit1 using SSH. Whenever you find a password for a level, use SSH (on port 2220) to log into that level and continue the game. Commands you may need to solve this level ls, cd, cat, file, du, find Password for next level: boJ9jbbUNNfktd78OOpsqOltutMc3MY1 Level 1 -> Level 2 Level Goal The password for the next le...
Post a Comment
Read more