Computer certifications, where do you start?

Ok - I am not an expert by any means, but having been in the IT industry now for over 16 years and having gathered several IT certifications, I have a lot of people ask me what IT related certifications to pursue first. I give them the advice that has seemed to work out pretty well for me:

I started getting serious about getting my certifications when I sat for my first MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) exam. I sat for the 70-215 exam, which was for Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. I was so nervous for that first test! I remember sitting in a testing room by myself, wondering if I had prepared well enough. When the exam was done, it felt like forever until the results popped up on the screen - I had passed! What a great feeling!

So why didn't I start with the CompTIA A+ exams like everyone else says to do? I am not really sure. Looking back - I probably should have - but I felt I had the basics down, and I started with the MCP exam and moved on from there. However, I always tell people that ask me for advice to start with the A+ exams if they have little to no experience - since I feel very strongly about having the background and/or experience before you embark on taking very difficult and expensive exams.

So from the MCP - I moved on and next I took the CompTIA Security+ exam - I studied very hard for that exam, and it was a very difficult exam. I knew I would one day take the CISSP exam, so I figured the Security+ exam would be good practice for that - and I was right!

I later took the CISSP exam (Certified Information Systems Security Professional - administered by ISC2) - that was one of the hardest exams I would ever take! I studied for months - and it took several hours to complete the exam. It also cost several hundred dollars to take the exam - so I am very happy that I did not have to re-take it! I tell everyone that asks me that they need to be very well prepared before they attempt one of the "big" exams like the CISSP or PMP exams.

I have now successfully completed the PMP (Project Management Professional) exam, the CISSP, the CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner - given by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) and several others, and each of them seemed to be more and more difficult. I recommend a lot of studying and taking of practice tests.

One place that I like to use to take sample tests (actually, they are certifications all on their own) are ones from Brainbench (www.brainbench.com). They have lot of good exams and you can earn certs from them if you pass. I recently passed my first Computer Forensics exam from Brainbench and received a nice certificate from them. It was actually free since they were running a promotion and certain tests were free (they are usually around $50 per test to take plus another $15 to get a paper certificate mailed to you).

I am getting ready to study for the Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) exam which is all about computer forensics. I am going to attend a 5-day bootcamp in early 2007, and then I have to study hard and pass a hands on portion in addition to a written test.

So what do I think about other vendor specific certs like the Cisco CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, etc.? I like them - and I plan to pursue some of them in the future. If you are seeking a career in networking, then you have to start with the CCNA - and get that at a minimum. Want to make big money? Then pursue the certs like the Cisco CCIE - you won't have any trouble finding a well paying job!

Even if your employer does not require certifications, they are still good to get and to keep up to date - you never know when your current job may fall through and you need to go to and consult for a while, start your own business, or find another company to work for. The next place you go may require certs, so get them now - keep them up to date, and always look for the next one to get.

Want to know more? Email me at jchristly@flcspi.com and I will be happy to respond to your questions. Have a certification story of your own to share, post it here!