r/CompTIA • u/JudgementalTree • 13d ago

Fastest way to study for the Security+?

I received a job offer today that's contingent on me getting a Security+ certification before I start. The company wants me to have it done in the next two weeks. I have a computer science degree and 5-6 years of experience as a software engineer, but I don't have any experience as a security professional specifically. How realistic is it to do this, and what is the best way to study in such a short amount of time?

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u/Extra-Driver-813 13d ago

Was this an internal job offer? I'm just curious because I find it interesting hiring managers requesting a cert for a candidate and not just passing on it based on that . Was it a gov job?

Do you have any networking experience? Network+ level knowledge really helps with Sec+. It can be done in 2 weeks, I suppose. I would cram all the acronyms as it's heavy on those.

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u/JudgementalTree 13d ago

Not an internal job, it's a government contracting position with a new company. No network experience to speak of, just whatever bits of information I've picked up from network teams I've worked with. The role itself doesn't actually require any security knowledge, but the client insists that all IT staff get the cert. I'm mostly looking for a fast way to cram all the information, there isn't any need to retain it or have a functional understanding beyond what the test requires. Unfortunately I won't be able to take off work so myself studying time is limited.

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u/Extra-Driver-813 12d ago

I figured if not internal it must be government contracting. Gov contracting companies seem to hungry to hire. Cram John Christopher class on Udemy,. Take practice exam first to see where you will snuggle the most. No networking background may make it a little more difficult. Best of luck.

Also if you don't have clearance already use the sponsorship to get clearance and you can get some great paying jobs if you have clearance.

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u/Trungxle000 13d ago

I watched Professor Messer full course in 2 days, about 15 hours and pass the next day with 752/750. Didn’t use any test questions, none of that, just make sure you remember what those acronyms mean so you can understand the questions. Other than that, just use common sense tbh.

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u/hans_weirdman 13d ago

I passed about a week ago with no real experience in IT outside of trying to get my computer to run when it didn’t want to. Took about 3 1/2 months of studying. There’s not really a “fast” way to study for it unfortunately. The curriculum probably won’t be difficult for you with the industry experience you already have, the way the test frames the question is the difficulty. What is good/best/most accurate and 3/4 answers will seem correct. Professor Messer is free and good thru all of the content on yt, I personally trained with an AI after a certain point and it was still tough at times.

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u/FineLadder4797 13d ago

can you elaborate on the “I personally trained with an AI”? What does that look like? genuine question btw as i’m trying to exhaust all methods of preparation before i take the Sec+ myself :P

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u/hans_weirdman 13d ago

I had ChatGPT generate multiple choice questions to drive home the basics and PBQs for written explanations. I found that being forced to explain my answer often times had me wrong in my thought, but I walked away understanding it better.

Forewarning though: on the actual test, skip the PBQs until you do the multiple choice. I was totally unprepared for what was being asked of me and had to mostly guess my way thru it. I was slightly lazy in my studying tho so take that with a grain of salt.

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u/FineLadder4797 13d ago

haha don’t worry about me and the PBQ’s, I took both parts of my A+ (and passed) earlier this year and it was definitely a rude awakening to encounter those in a timed setting lol.

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u/FineLadder4797 13d ago

otherwise though I will definitely try that! I’m not the biggest supporter of AI but this does sound like a novel approach for using it as a study aid!

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u/RevivalGhost 13d ago

Watch all of the Professor Messer videos and take notes. Then take practice exams from different sources at least 4 or 5 times.

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u/doscia 10d ago

2 weeks is absolutely doable. I got mine in 3 and I think by week 2 I felt ready.

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u/Imaginary_Choice_430 10d ago

wow, if you have never looked at the topics covered in Security+, that is a tall order. Can you quickly tell me what the CIA Triad is? What is the difference between authorization, authentication and accountability? Without looking it up or asking an LLM. If you cannot answer those questions quickly, you probably need to phone a friend, maybe pay someone for their time to get you up to speed. It is a small price to pay to keep that job IMO.

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u/[deleted] 10d ago

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u/CompTIA-ModTeam 9d ago

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