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MCSA Security or CCNA security

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  • 12-08-2008 7:49pm
    #1
    markoj
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭


    Hi,
    Iam looking for some advice from people who know what would be more beneficial
    I would eventually be looking for a career in Network security I currently work in desktop support role.
    I do not know where to start in my certifications i.e. mcsa or ccna
    Which will be the more beneficial to start with mcsa 2003 in security or would it be better for me to start with the CCNA. I taught initially it would be good to know how to secure the microsoft environments by being able to gain employment with mcsa 03 in security and then start into my cisco certiications. The mcsa in security is 8 exams so 8 months work and then I would probably be looking at 5 or 6 months being realistic for a CCNA

    Any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated


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    #2
    accensi0n
    Registered Users Posts: 2,779 ✭✭✭accensi0n


    Just incase your not aware,

    To get the CCNA Security you need to be CCNA certified first.


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    #3
    ntlbell
    Registered Users Posts: 16,288 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    which would you prefer to secure?


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    #4
    markoj
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8 ✭markoj


    thanks folks so far I know the cisco certification path
    I would eventually prefer to be securing networks but the problem I have is that everyone seems to take mcsa's and then move onto the cisco certifications
    Would i be able to get a job in a networks role with just a CCNa certification


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    #5
    ntlbell
    Registered Users Posts: 16,288 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    markoj wrote: »
    thanks folks so far I know the cisco certification path
    I would eventually prefer to be securing networks but the problem I have is that everyone seems to take mcsa's and then move onto the cisco certifications
    Would i be able to get a job in a networks role with just a CCNa certification

    I got in with none, so I can't see why not :pac:


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    #6
    FruitLover
    Registered Users Posts: 2,534 ✭✭✭FruitLover


    I would estimate that you'll be far more likely to get a job in networking with a networking-specific certification (CCNA) than a non-networking-specific certification (MCSA).


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    #7
    briano
    Registered Users Posts: 678 ✭✭✭briano


    Yeah, I'd second that one. CCNA would definately be more attractive to an employer looking for someone to hire for a network security role


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    #8
    donaghs
    Registered Users Posts: 2,743 ✭✭✭donaghs


    I'd agree. Cisco certs would be more highly rated for networking jobs than MCSA.

    I have the MCSA Security, but to be honest I don't really view it as a security qualification. It's basically an MCSA with one additional exam which covers a security topic. I did the ISA 2004 exam. There's a lot of security stuff in this exam, e.g. firewalls, proxies, etc - but it's only testing you on one product. You could also do Security+ as your MCSA elective.

    The MCSA server & networking exams will cover aspects of networking, but not in the level of detail of Cisco certs.


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