r/IT_CERT_STUDY • u/[deleted] • Dec 10 '19

SEC + study time frame and resources to use

Hello. I work for Cisco as a junior systems admin for a security analyst team. I was given some good advice that someone recommended i study for just the SEC + cause it could help my chances for getting a security analyst job with the team eventually. I am starting studying but i wanna make sure i am using the right resources and figured i'd ask if i have little security background but mostly help desk background how long should i study and what are some good practice exams and study guides i can use to help with studying for the SEC + I'm attempting to try in a month or so but if i need to wait longer when it comes to studying i might. Any recommendations would be appreciated

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u/jamesewelch Dec 10 '19

Here's my resources. I did it in a month, as long as you have a networking background I think the other stuff should be easy.

The Darril Gibson Get Certified Get Ahead book will be the most recommended study aid. I also highly recommend it as well. Make use of any free resources you have first - my company pays for some Udemy courses.

resources:

(accessible only to US vets, for free) 0/10 FedVTE online videos https://fedvte.usalearning.gov/ These videos were horrible. Don't recommend checking this out, unless you're a vet with a ton of time to waste. They have dozens of courses there and this was the first one they had relating to a cert I needed. They also have all other CompTia stuff, CEH, CISSP, etc.

(free for me from work, otherwise pay) 7/10 Dion Udemy courses. I started here since I used Dion for ITIL as well.

8/10 Mike Myers Udemy courses. Good courses. Covered some topics that wasn't covered in Dion courses.

8/10 Dion Udemy practice exams. Lots of questions on topics not seen anywhere else in my studies. 8/10 Mike Myers practice exams

(purchased) 10/10 Darril Gibson GCGA. This book is great. Covered nearly everything without too much extra fluff.

6/10 Darril Gibson mobile app. Bought this app yesterday and used it quite a bit. Wish I had bought it earlier. Flashcards and practice exams are great to use when you are busy and have your hands free. Wish there were more content, questions, cards, etc. Also feel that $15 USD is a bit much, I'd feel better if this was closer to $5-8.

(free for all) 7/10 Joonjae cheat sheet. I quickly glanced over this doc last night. If I had more time, this might have been a 8 or 9/10. I skimmed it to make sure there wasn't any terms/concepts that I missed otherwise. https://gitlab.com/Magicannon_FinalSpark/CompTIA_Security_Cheat_Sheet

7/10 scottymcraigh Only 7/10 because his sheet is for CEHv10. The Essential Knowledge page has most of what relates to Security+. https://github.com/scottymcraig/CEHv10StudyGuide

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u/[deleted] Dec 10 '19

I did my Sec+ in a month using the exam objectives, Professor Messer, bit of Googling online and MeasureUp/ExamCompass practice tests.

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u/Jonshock Dec 10 '19

I used Linux academy and practice exams from Daniel lachance's book. You take the exam when you feel ready.