Security Basics: RE: Security Certs

["David Gillett" <gillettdavid () fhda edu>]

  MOST certs only demonstrate "skill" at passing exams.
(I've always been a fan of setting candidates toy problems
and watching how they attempt to solve them....)

  When I originally embarked on my NT MCSE, it was with
the premise that I was working with a new OS and wanted to
uncover and fill any important gaps in my knowledge.  It
was only well into the process that I realized that 
"Running an NT network" -- which is what I was doing on
the job -- would have been a reasonable subtitle for the
cert curriculum.

  What I figure certs *actually* demonstrate is a 
commitment of personal time and (usually) money.  Of two
candidates of similar relevant experience, the one with
the certs is the one who has demonstrated a serious long-
term interest in making a career of this field.  Good
employers would be expected to value that in a prospect.

David Gillett


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robby Tanner [mailto:Robby.Tanner () lightsource ca]
> Sent: October 1, 2003 16:12
> To: Steve W. Manzuik; DANIEL SIMPSON; Meritt James
> Cc: Brian G.; security-basics () securityfocus com
> Subject: RE: Security Certs
>
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Steve W. Manzuik [mailto:steve () entrenchtech com] 
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 1:03 PM
> > To: 'DANIEL SIMPSON'; 'Meritt James'
> > Cc: 'Brian G.'; security-basics () securityfocus com
> > Subject: RE: Security Certs
> >
> >
> > I personally don't hold a lot of value in any of the certs 
> > and when hiring people I couldn't care less what letters are 
> > behind their name but what skills they have and what kind of 
> > attitude they have.  
> I agree that certifications are misleading but they at least 
> demonstrate
> SOME level of skill don't they?  How else do you determine 
> "what skills
> they have" BEFORE hiring them and observing performance?
>
> I suppose that's the trick isn't it?
>
> Rob
>
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