CS, IT, or Cyber Security can I test out or go to school for?

[sanantone]

Let me know when you start prepping for the CISSP. I was planning to take it this spring, but when ISC2 announced the new CIB I switched to SSCP which I passed a few weeks ago. Working on the endorsement process now. Hoping to take the CISSP in the fall or next spring.

That probably means the study materials I was going to use are out of date. I'll let you know. It probably won't be until next year.

[ajs1976]

I was going to show you the classes for the community college program. the site is down right now but when it is back i will show it. but it seems like the community college has the same type of classes as COSC upper levels for the bachelors.

If you take a class at a CC and transfer it to COSC, it will be a LL even if the same class is UL at COSC. Need to watch out for that because you need some many UL credits.

[ajs1976]

So I guess my question is simple. I would like to find out my options about if I can test out of stuff like a+, network+, security + and so on? Or is it better to go to school for computer related certificates.

My friend tells me it is better to go to school but what would you guys recommend since you guys seem to be the masters of lifehacks?

My typical advise is to search job boards for the type of job you want, review the requirements, and plan accordingly. I would like my next position to be a senior cyber security position. The jobs ads usually ask for a technical degree, a higher level cert like CISSP, CISM, or CISA, and prefer a masters in infosec or at least some grad classes.

I have been successful with an associates, certs, and experience, but not having a bachelors has limited my opportunities, which is why i'm here and working on a bachelors.

[yb1]

[quote=sanantone]It varies by school widely, but IS is broader than IT. IS looks at how people and organizations interact with technology. IT is narrower and more technical. However, one school's IT program might look a lot like another school's IS program. There is a lot of overlap, but TESC's program is, first and foremost, a business administration program. The CIS part is just a concentration
Online IT Security Degree | Information Security Degree | WGU College of Information Technology

Sanatone this is amazing. Wgu sounds like my perfect match except for the fact that they do not accept credits after transfer.

Now I have this idea. If I did straighter line, aleks, a few cleps, dsst and teex and fema this summer and fall. Could I transfer all of those credits with my 37 credits that I already have to WGu and sign up that way? This would save me so much time and money and seems like a solid goal to go for

[sanantone]

It varies by school widely, but IS is broader than IT. IS looks at how people and organizations interact with technology. IT is narrower and more technical. However, one school's IT program might look a lot like another school's IS program. There is a lot of overlap, but TESC's program is, first and foremost, a business administration program. The CIS part is just a concentration
Online IT Security Degree | Information Security Degree | WGU College of Information Technology

Sanatone this is amazing. Wgu sounds like my perfect match except for the fact that they do not accept credits after transfer.

Now I have this idea. If I did straighter line, aleks, a few cleps, dsst and teex and fema this summer and fall. Could I transfer all of those credits with my 37 credits that I already have to WGu and sign up that way? This would save me so much time and money and seems like a solid goal to go for

If you're really settled on WGU, then you should start building up your transfer credits before you enroll. WGU tells you how various CLEPs, DSSTs, Straighterline, etc. transfer in. I'm pretty sure they will not accept FEMA. I'm not sure if they'll accept just any ACE credits meaning that they may or may not accept TEEX.

Alternative Sources, Social Sciences
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Alternative Sources, Quantitative Literacy
Alternative Sources, Language and Communication
Alternative Sources, Natural Science

[mednat]

I would suggest if you're not sure you want a degree in cyber security, please take a single class in it before deciding to major in it.

People are quick to give advice (see above, i just did it!) and we mean to be helpful.....but this is your life we're talking about. If you're unsure what you want to do, why not take a few classes at community college, or even read a book or two on a subject to see if you like it. Cyber Security (or information assurance) is a multidisciplinary field that requires a solid grasp on computer science and IT as a whole. To put it more bluntly, it's alot of work to learn. Not to dissuade you, it's manageable...but it will likely take more than a bachelors degree to secure a job in this field. In IT we care more about experience, solid certifications, recommendations, about a dozen other factors, more then degrees.

Sorry if I came off too harsh, but I've seen so many resumes where people chase the next buzz word (cloud, 2.0, cyber security) because they were told jobs were there only to find that there are jobs...they're just not entry level.

With that said, a Computer Science degree, with certifications would be valued more by most IT hiring managers. A degree in cyber security only gets it past HR without having something else (certification, experience) to show.

[yb1]

San-

I will call them tomorrow to ask what I should do.

the only reason I think this would be an amazing option is because of the fact that I would be completing certs while getting a bachelors. My math is so weak and it does not look like they take aleks. aleks seems easier to use than straighter line.

I am not dead set on WGU but so far it seems like an fantastic option. the idea of 7 certs sounds wonderful.

i tried to search in the search tap WGU but all i get is this western test a million times. It would be amazing if I could complete my bachelors within 2 years and shave off a year of community college.

Honestly sanatone you are like a superhero when it comes to this. you know everything. how on earth are you able to do so much. it seems like you take 10+ courses every semester

mednat thanks for the info. i feel like i am starting to run a marthon without ever completing a 5k. hmm. this site is kind of addicting to be honest. they just have so many options

[sanantone]

I would suggest if you're not sure you want a degree in cyber security, please take a single class in it before deciding to major in it.

People are quick to give advice (see above, i just did it!) and we mean to be helpful.....but this is your life we're talking about. If you're unsure what you want to do, why not take a few classes at community college, or even read a book or two on a subject to see if you like it. Cyber Security (or information assurance) is a multidisciplinary field that requires a solid grasp on computer science and IT as a whole. To put it more bluntly, it's alot of work to learn. Not to dissuade you, it's manageable...but it will likely take more than a bachelors degree to secure a job in this field. In IT we care more about experience, solid certifications, recommendations, about a dozen other factors, more then degrees.

Sorry if I came off too harsh, but I've seen so many resumes where people chase the next buzz word (cloud, 2.0, cyber security) because they were told jobs were there only to find that there are jobs...they're just not entry level.

With that said, a Computer Science degree, with certifications would be valued more by most IT hiring managers. A degree in cyber security only gets it past HR without having something else (certification, experience) to show.

Good points. If you get a cybersecurity degree, then you're kind of pigeonholed. Whereas if you get something broader and it turns out you don't like cybersecurity, then you can move into another CS/IT field. Cybersecurity programs kind of remind me of homeland security programs in being trendy, except that homeland security programs have even less substance.

But, the WGU program is in IT with an emphasis on security. They also have emphases in software development and networking.

[mednat]

Hang in there! It's worth finishing the degree, I only caution that you pick a topic you care about. Where I work we have a customer service rep who is finishing his masters in cyber security from devry (or somewhere like that). I can only imagine how much he's spent, and he still has to call my entry level tech support guys for help with basic PC issues. The chances he will obtain employment in this field are close to 0%, but he's been sold on the idea that cyber security is the hot field. I don't want you to be that guy.

I would suggest while you're unsure, maybe pick up some certificates from http://www.degreeforum.net/general-educa...unity.html . Not because they'll be useful career-wise, but they may reveal your interests. I know you want to finish quickly, but in the long run it's better to take your time selecting an area you enjoy.

I do like WGU's format, specifically because it does focus on certifications as you go. The bachelors will check the box, the certifications (CCNA) will be valued by employers.

**EDIT**
Oops, I thought the CISSP & CEH were part of the WGU Bachelors. Apparently they're not (CEH is masters). This is still a good program, Cisco's certifications are valued and enough for an entry level position. CISSP & CEH would be on my list to obtain as soon as I qualify if I were interested in working in this field.

[jmeitrem]

I think doing a little self study on A+ or Sec+ would do some good showing you what your interests may be and give you a good foundation. I mainly just watched free professor messor videos and that got me a pass. Everyone is different but I do agree that dipping your toes into material before diving might be a good approach.