security certified network specialist/Professional (SCNS/SCNP)?

Discussion in 'Other IT certifications' started by Asterix, Feb 4, 2010.

  1. Asterix

    Asterix Megabyte Poster

    515
    11
    52
    Anyone studied the security certified network specialist/Professional (SCNS/SCNP)?
    The topics covered seem particuallary interesting, but there is not too much info out there? why is this not more popular? Any credit in taking these exams?
     
  2. Asterix

    Asterix Megabyte Poster

    515
    11
    52
    ha, doesnt seem that anyone is particularly familiar with either of these certs :twisted:
     
  3. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

    11,140
    555
    383
    I've heard of them, however the ISC2 has a bigger slice of the IT security market, at least in the UK.

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  4. PPD2387

    PPD2387 Byte Poster

    149
    9
    37
    I have passed the SCNS exam. I found it to be similar to Security+ but at a slightly higher level. I just went over some old Security+ and CEH study materials I had in order to prepare for it (as you say there is next to nothing in terms of books etc specifically for the exam).

    EXIN have recently taken over adminstering SCP certifications and my experience with them in obtaining my certificate once I passed was terrible (their customer support department is a joke). I put it down to teething problems as other people on here who did their ITIL exam through EXIN say they experienced no trouble what-so-ever.

    I only really sat the exam as there was some surplus training budget to use up so I thought I would give it a shot! As far as industry recognition goes, I don't think it is ever going to secure someone their dream job in IT Security but if you have taken other security certs and have some knowledge in the field (as well as a company who pay your exam fees) then it's worth a crack at.
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2010
  5. Asterix

    Asterix Megabyte Poster

    515
    11
    52
    Right, all that said............ im gonna leave this one alone!
     
  6. Asterix

    Asterix Megabyte Poster

    515
    11
    52
    Right....... so i changed my mind and decided to go for the SCP route of security certifications as it has a nice vendor neutral overview of security appliances,their functions and popular tools (wireshark, snort etc) and appears to have a nice path to the architect certification (SCNS -> SCNP -> SCNA). I have nearly completed the studies for SCNS and just attempted to book the 70-451 exam and cant find it on either the pearson vue website nor prometric.

    Has this certification track now been retired?

    The website appears to be up Linky but im getting worried now that somethings not quite right, can somebody offer any assistance?

    Kind regards,
    Asterix
     
  7. PPD2387

    PPD2387 Byte Poster

    149
    9
    37
    Hhmmm, I would have to agree that something's not quite right. I've had a look on EXIN's site (who administered the exams when I took mine) and there's no mention of any of the qualifications now (nor is there if you search or have a look through their news archive).

    I did a quick Google and couldn't find anything either. All I can guess is that EXIN have stopped administering the exam and as a result they are no longer being offered by Pearson or Prometric. Whether this is permanent or not, who knows!?

    I guess you could give EXIN a ring and see if they can give you anymore information on what has happened.
     
  8. Monkeychops

    Monkeychops Kilobyte Poster

    301
    22
    25
    It's not a cert I've ever heard mentioned or that's come up in my years of security work so I'd personally be wary of putting too much time/effort/money behind it.
     
  9. Asterix

    Asterix Megabyte Poster

    515
    11
    52
    Oh well i will cut my losses and do the SSCP instead :rolleyes:
     
  10. Monkeychops

    Monkeychops Kilobyte Poster

    301
    22
    25
    SSCP is a good all rounder, and whilst not particularly technical it's a known entry level industry cert. I say entry level, above Sec+ but below CISSP, CISM etc :)
     
  11. Asterix

    Asterix Megabyte Poster

    515
    11
    52
    I have done the Security+ and so the SSCP sounds like a great next hop, what options for certifications are there after this? I work as a technical consultant and specialise in a couple of firewall offerings, WAN optimisation, Application delivery controllers and DDOS prevention. so although i want to learn more in security it would be good to find something on the technical side and possibly at an architect level or leading onto this!

    Kind regards,
    Asterix
     
  12. Monkeychops

    Monkeychops Kilobyte Poster

    301
    22
    25
    There's only so far you can go with being vendor neutral doing that sort of thing being a tech specialist.

    End of the day you should look to cert in the areas/products you specialise in.

    CISSP is more a management type cert, but can open doors up when it comes to jobs so is useful to have whilst not being actually too practically useful.

    I guess the CISA is a little bit more that way but again it's not about hands on.

    If it's architecture you're looking into then ISEB/BCS do a solutions and enterprise architecture certificates track, hard to self study it and again it's not technical.

    They also do a security principles one called the CISMP which could be worth looking into, but yet again it's not technical :)

    So really if it's technical you want you're relatively limited to vender stuff unless you go down the CEH/pen tester type qualifications.
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2012

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.