Success: Passing the Security+ Exam
Today marked an exciting day for me, after a month of preparation, I finally took and passed the Security+. I was not expecting to pass on my first try, and I was relieved when I saw that “Pass” after a month of intensive studying. It was definitely tough, and I felt a strong sense of accomplishment.
As someone who has been working in a development role for several years, I never felt an urgent need to pursue certifications. I understood that having certifications can impress HR and potential employers, but I was genuinely surprised by the exam’s breadth and depth. It acted as a much-needed reality check but in a positive way.
This experience reinforced the fact that cybersecurity is an incredibly comprehensive field. It’s not just about having a basic understanding of a few topics; instead, it demands a profound grasp of numerous IT concepts. I realized that to thrive in this industry, one must continuously learn and deeply comprehend the intricate aspects of cybersecurity.
The work
Let me emphasize that the Security+ examination is no walk in the park, even for those with experience in the field. For individuals new to this industry, the amount of information to memorize can be overwhelming. Initially, I attempted to approach the preparation by simply memorizing topics as I would for any other test. I relied on resources like Professor Messer’s courses, which are exceptional and played a significant role in my success. The wealth of free content he provides is truly astonishing and invaluable to aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Honestly, if you run across this post and you are looking to get your Security+, use his material – https://www.professormesser.com/get-security-plus-certified/ – I think it was $50 for the notes and practice exams, and worth every cent.
However, I soon realized that merely memorizing concepts was not enough. I needed a more practical approach to solidify my understanding. I decided to complement my theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience by creating virtual lab environments, and signing up for HackTheBox, and TryHackMe.
Going Forward
This hands-on approach allowed me to simulate various cybersecurity scenarios, such as penetration testing and secure network configuration. As a result, I gained a deeper comprehension of the topics that I had previously only learned at a superficial level. It was like a lightbulb moment, reminiscent of my experience with programming – if I wanted to learn a new language or framework, I would dive in and build something with it.
The same principle applied to cybersecurity. While videos and reading materials were helpful, I realized that getting hands-on experience was essential to truly internalize the concepts. This realization fueled my determination, and I made the decision to set up my physical home lab – a dream I have been nurturing for quite some time. Reviving an old gaming computer and searching for used equipment are the initial steps I plan to take in creating this hands-on learning environment. I will be writing about that project, and along with that starting to create projects on my Github account, again something that has been neglected for a while now.