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How I prepared to take and pass the CCNA and CISSP exams?
- By Dave Dickinson
- Published 06/1/2007
- Certifications
CCNA / CISSP Study Resources
My preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam including reading Todd Lammale’s CCNA study guide which can be purchased at: Amazon
This is a good first step in your preparations. If you’ve been to the Journeymen Networking Course (JNC) or Advanced Network Analyst (ANA) courses, we used this book to assist in teaching the CCNA topic.
So the book is a great start but if you’re like me you will want some hands on training since there are a couple of simulations on the CCNA exam. If you don’t have access to a couple of routers as was my case I turned to using a router simulator.
In lieu of real equipment, I strongly recommend using which can be found here: RouterSim
So at this point I’ve got the knowledge from the book and the “hands on” from doing all the labs in the RouterSim. The last part of my preparation was to familiarize myself with the style and content of the test questions.
I used the CCNA Questions and Answers (Q&A) from TestKing .More information can be found here: TestKing
I felt extremely confident going in for the exam. I knew the book material, completed the labs and studied the style of questions. I scored a very high score on the exam due to the preparation I undertook.
March 31st I sat for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam. This has been described as the Master Level security certifications. If you are interested in becoming certified in Security, there are various levels of certification.
There’s the COMPTIA Security+ followed by the ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) and finally the ISC2 CISSP exam.
In studying for my CISSP exam I devoted about 3 months of time to completely reading the study guide written by Shon Harris which can be located at: Amazon
This is a thick book and it takes some to read and assimilate all the information, so give yourself plenty of time. I’ve got a decent background in information technology, so I really needed to just put the security pieces into place.
In summary, I pretty much just read Shon’s book and did the end of chapter questions. The test is a grueling 250 questions over a 6 hour period. I took about 4 � hours.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and shipmate I wish you the best of luck in your studies.
Dave
Dave Dickinson
I retired from the Navy in Jan 2002 after serving 20 years as an RM/IT1. Before I retired I certified in Network+, CTT+ and CCNA, and subsequently after retirement I picked up CISSP. My post military careers include Senior Technical Trainer and Information Systems Security Officer for a large government organization. My Navy Medals include Joint Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (3x) and of course Good Conduct Medals. Dave
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4 Responses to "How I prepared to take and pass the CCNA and CISSP exams?"
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said this on 26 Jun 2007 3:13:05 AM CST
Thanks Dave this article was very helpful, I plan to take my CCNA in the very near future.
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said this on 26 Jul 2007 9:26:34 PM CST
Dave nice read! I completed my 2780 and I want to get my CISSP also if you had to compare the two which would be more challenging? Getting your MCSE, CCNA or CISSP?
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said this on 27 Jul 2007 10:01:15 PM CST
Anthony - The answer to your question is a tough one. The tests are different. Example:
CCNA is only one test with a pretty well defined test objectives.
MCSE is a SERIES of test. Each test in the series will focus on its subject.
The CISSP exam is referred to as "a mile wide and an inch deep". Meaning there are 10 domains of information and the test has 225 questions on it. You never know what they're going to "ping" you on, on your exam. That's what makes the exam hard, is going in and knowing a mile wide and inch deep of info.
Hope that helps ya out - Dave
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said this on 21 Dec 2007 2:57:07 PM CST
Passing the CISSP exam is not easy there is nothing in networking and security that I don't know but taking this exam has been my struggle. I'll use tips and insight from your article maybe third time is a charm.
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