Penetration Testing: Re: Pen testing training / certification

[Jeantet Fields <jt () jeantet net>]

In-Reply-To: <4017106E.3000808 () infostruct net>

Hey Gideon,

I took Redvolution's Ethical Hacking and Pen Testing class this past November, in DC.  The class wasn't so much an OPST 
cert course as an all-around Pen-Testing class, which mentioned OSTMM principles where relevant.  Kind of like the OPST 
cert was an afterthought, but definitely added value.

The class was about 60% labs, and nearly everything they talked about was backed up with live examples out on the net 
or in a test environment they set up in the class.

The students were an eclectic mix - foresic specialists, Net engineers, shady DOD characters etc.

In my opinion, the class is not for novices.  You should know IP networking like your birthdate, and have a solid 
understanding of Net topologies, equipment, and also some win32 and *ix OS if you want to get the most out of the 
class.  Put it to you this way, if you have a CCNA, you'll be ok.  In addition to the lead instructor, they had two 
backup instructors who helped the students one on one with labs.  The student / teacher ratio was 2:1. 

I would have been overwhelmed by the amount of information and security tools presented in the class if not for their 
lead instructor - Taylor.  The guy's good.  He spent years at Verisign before starting this company.  He's probably one 
of the best instructors I've ever had.  In fact, I now teach Firewalls and Net security at NYU, and I've modeled my 
class and lectures on the way this guy teaches.

I highly recommend these ReD guys.  (they also throw a pretty good party after the last class ;-)

bounce me an e-mail if you have any more questions.

./j


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> Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 20:29:18 -0500
> From: "Gideon Rasmussen, CISSP, CFSO, CFSA, SCSA" <gideon () infostruct net>
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> Subject: Pen testing training / certification
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>
> I am considering the OPST certification from ReDvolution Technologies. 
> It is based on the Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual - 
> OSSTMM (http://www.isecom.org/projects/osstmm.shtml).
>
> Has anyone taken their applied penetration testing course 
> (http://www.thinkingred.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=print&ceid=23&redi=training_sub2.jpg)? 
>
>
> I would appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thank you.
>
> Gideon
>
> Gideon T. Rasmussen
> CISSP, CFSO, CFSA, SCSA
> Boca Raton, FL
> gideon () infostruct net
>
>
>
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