Network Security career... Some questions...

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Hello all,

I'm new to this site and joined in the hope that some questions i have could be answered.
I'm wanting to start a career with the aim to be a Network Security Professional.
I realise that will take many many years to progress to, but its the starting point i'm having some concerns about.

After a long time of looking around the internet and hundreds of forums, i came to the conclusion that this (below) might be a good path to follow:

1. Network+ Certification
2. Security+ Certification
3. Security Certified Network Specialist
4. Security Certified Network Professional

I'm aware that i will need to work relevant jobs for a few years before i can take number 3 and number 4, but i chose them because they are Vendor-neutral, unlike if i were take, for example, CISCO exams.

So my questions are this:

1. Is this a good path to follow? If not, do you have any alternative suggestions?
2. Theres dispute over the internet as to whether you HAVE to have completed the CompTIA A+ in order to take the Network+ exam.
I wanted to skip the A+ exam as i do have a generally good understanding of computers already and wanted to skip straight to the networking side of things...
3. Can anyone PLEASE give me reassurance that it IS possible to successfully study to become a network engineer WITHOUT the need of having to go to colleges, universities or any other form of classes..? Becasue i can't do this.. With a full time job and my daughter, i no longer have the luxury for a course at college. I'm just worried that all the time i take to study and money spent on exams etc, will never be enough for some jobs out there in the big wide world because i never went to study with professionals! It has made me feel slightly better that people say its the WORK EXPERIENCE that employers look at, rather than qualifications, but still, im sure the qualifications help! lol!

Thank you to all who are able to give me some guidance..

 

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Question 1: I am not sure that is the best path to follow never heard of 3 and 4 certifications.

Question 2: You do not have to have the A+ to do the Network+

Question 3: You sure can do it without going to College etc.

If I was you I would look at entry level IT support jobs and take it from there.

 

Thanks for your response...

The qualifications i saw from here... securitycertified.net

Thought they might also be fairly well-known qualifications/certifications..

 

Take a look at a few entry level MS certs and Network+ look for an entry level job after all that then take a look at more secuirty related certs.

I would stick to more well known providers of certifcation then the securitycertified.net what they teach you may be helpful but for jobs they like to see the well known certs on the CV.

 

Glad it wasn't just me who hadn't heard of those 2 certs