2018-07-17 22:08:00
I guess I've found a new hobby: taking beta-versions of cybersec certification exams. :)
Three months ago I took the CompTIA Pentest+ beta and not half an hour ago I finished the CertNexus CFR-310 beta. Like before, I learned about the beta-track through /r/netsecstudents where it was advertised with a discount code bringing the $250 exam down to $40 and ultimately $20. Regardless of whether the certification has any real-world value, that's a nice amount to spend on some fun!
To sum up my experience:
Now... Is the CFR-310 certification "worth it"? As I've remarked on Peerlyst earlier this week: it depends.
If you have a specific job requirement to pass this cert, then yes it's obviously worth it. Then again, most likely your employer or company will spring for the exam and it won't be any skin off your back. And if you're a forward thinking contractor looking to get assignments with the DoD, then it could certainly be useful to sit the exam as it's on the DoD 8570 list for two CSSP positions.
If, like me, you're relatively free to spend your training budget and you're looking for something fun to spend a few weeks on, then I'd suggest you move on to CompTIA's offerings. CertNexus / Logical Operations are not names I'd heard before and CompTIA is a household-name in IT; has been for years.
kilala.nl tags: work, sysadmin,
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2018-08-01 13:39:00
Posted by Thomas
On Reddit, I added the following:
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Like [you] I'm not greatly impressed. Basically it's a set of hundred questions trying to set a baseline of knowledge one would expect for a specific role or function. The whole experience was pretty good and the fact that you can take the test at home or the office is brilliant! But all in all, it's a generic test.
Of course, that's not necessarily a problem! Seeing how CFR is on the DoD 8570 it's a checkbox to tick when applying for a specific role. To me CFR feels like C|EH: pay the exam, pass the test, tick the box at HR. It's a required formality and payment, so you can pass HR filters.
That would also explain the pricing... $250 is not even close to SANS-insanity, but is more expensive than most techies would pay out of pocket "just because" or "for fun". Seeing how it's likely that people are taking this exam as a formality, one can assume that it's either a business write-off or something that will be paid by their employer.
Now, when it comes to HR-checkbox-exams I've taken a few...
CompTIA Pentest+
LogicalOps CFR-310
ECC CEH
Out of this bunch I prefer the CompTIA one because I simply feel best with their org. I personally feel that ECC are mostly a marketing machine, with good materials but over-priced. Up until this thread I'd never heard of LogicalOps/CertNexus and the experience with their multiple websites jumping back-and-forth feels very messy. CompTIA have been an industry name for years now.