Posted on Aug 20, 2015
SSG Tim Jessen
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Is there certain certification I would need to be able to secure a job in our cyber security division?
Posted in these groups: Cpu 1 Cybersecurity
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Responses: 7
Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
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Depends... Are you looking to go industry, military, contractor to the military, civil service? The reason I ask is because of the nuances of each. I can tell you that within the military, your best option is to have a Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Computer Engineering degree on hand first, followed by the certifications. Which certification also depends on what type of work you want to do (i.e. Management or Hands-On Technical). If going into management (i.e. policy, resource/project management), CISSP is where you need to go. For the Technical side, it really depends on what you want to be an expert on; OS Security, Infrastructure (FWs, routers, switches, etc), malware analysis, traffic analysis, offensive, defensive, and then some. There are so many things you can do and becoming an expert in all would definitely be a challenge.
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LTJG Organizer
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A good place to start is reviewing the DOD 8570 standards. Sgt Duvall may not care much for the CEH cert but it meets quite a few of the 8570 standards, and 8570 is the gold standard for federal cyber jobs. All federal cyber jobs. SANS/GIAC certs are the most prestigious and respected but require much in the way of expense and effort. OSCP/OSCE are outstanding but are not cheap and are pretty challenging. I'm also not sure that the Offensive Security ones are 8570 compliant.
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1stSgt Mack Housman
1stSgt Mack Housman
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This post is spot-on!
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SGT Squad Leader
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Which certs do you currently have? What is your experience in cybersecurity?

Do you have stuff Like Security+? CISSP is of course what you want to shoot for but that is more of a long term goal as is CISM. GIAC certs are good, I would say steer clear of CEH (it is kind of a joke). OCSE is also good, without knowing a little more it is hard to advise much.

Hope that helps.
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SGT Squad Leader
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I'm in the same boat (Although with FAR less experience) the path I'm on is Network+ Sec+ CCNA CCNA security which should round out a good base. From there I plan to start on my path towards CISSP if this is for a civilian employer what I would do is talk to the department and see what kind of education they look for. Like at my company they tend to view certs as less important than the ability to learn for junior jobs so are willing to bring me over when an opening occurs.

Best of luck!
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SGT Squad Leader
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Also Comptia has a handy road map http://certification.comptia.org/ExploreCareers/careerpaths/career_roadmap.aspx it covers more than just their stuff Its a good steering path
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SSG Michael Hathaway
SSG Michael Hathaway
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SSG Tim Jessen I'm in the same boat as you and SGT (Join to see) . I started my cybersecurity degree at UMUC not long ago and about to finish in a few semesters, looking to reclass to 17C. This information is great!
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SGT Squad Leader
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SSG Michael Hathaway - Man I'd love to reclass to either 17C or 25D but being guard makes it kinda tough from what I understand, actually what I'd really like to do is go Warrant (255S) but I don't have long enough left and I'd want to go active anyway (though that seems like it will/would be hard to do in today's army)

Best of luck.
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