Security+ Training Guide

Rating:
Summary: Not a bad place to start
Review: As you all know, no single book will prepare you for any certification exam. This is no exception. But this book is a very good start on your path to the Security+ certification. It covers all the objectives on the exam, some better than others. So get yourself several texts to study for your exam, and make sure this is one of them. You will get a good head start towards passing that exam.

Rating:
Summary: all right. better books are available
Review: Didn't like this book a lot. i think it rambles and rambles, and is not to the point. I personally found the McGraw Hill book better.

Rating:
Summary: What's their real objective?
Review: I've used the Training Guide Series to prep for my A+ and Network+ exams. I'm currently working on my Security+ certification. I've gotta say that I'm very dissapointed in this book. I felt dissatisfied with the review questions included in the Network+ book, but I did pass that exam without any problem. The quality of the questions given in this book is even worse than it was in the Network+ book. The first two chapters are approximately 100 pages each. Chapter 1 has 15 multiple choice questions. Chapeter 2 has 5 Mulitiple choice questions. Not once on either of my CompTIA exams was I asked a short answer question. There's too many variables introduced into an exam for short answer.

This book includes three sections in its end of chapter review: Multiple choice (the type you'll see on the exam), short answer, and one or two exercises.

For the amount of material I've just read in Chapter 2, and the depth of that material, 5 multiple choice questions is just pathetic. What's their real objective? Force people to buy their PrepLogic practice exams? I haven't needed extra pracitce exams to prepare for my previous two certifications.

Also the exercises are somewhat unrealistic. There's no way you can use company servers to practice these techniques, and going out and buying a copy of Windows 2000 Server is not in my budget to do the exercises included in this book. Not only would I need a Win2K Server, I'd also need clients that are not needed. Who can afford to go out and spend that kind of money to do their proposed exercises? What's next? Let's configure our Cisco Router. I mean, afterall, everyone has a few Cisco routers sitting around they can experiment with.

For my next certification, I'll definately ditch the Que Training Guide Series. I'm highly dissatisfied with the amount of evaluation of how much I've learned. 5 questions for 100 pages of material is not enough to demonstrate that I've learned what's important.

Also, so far, I've noticed a lacking in the exam tips in the side bars. Most of the exam tips in the first two chapters I didn't need to buy this book to know. Do the authors really have any clue what's going to be on the exam? Previous Training Guide Books did a good job of pointing out important notes and highlights. This book loads you down with very good info, but skimps on the highlights.

Rating:
Summary: Coupled with the EC2 book & you have a good set of tools.
Review: Network Security is becoming the most sought after position in the IT world these days, yet in order to get these jobs you need to be certified. There are over 20 possible security certifications so where do you start?

How do you determine which exam to take and which certification is right for you? Well you might want to start with the CompTIA Security+ vendor neutral certification. Now all you need is the right study material and that is where this book comes in.

With over 600 pages of material covering every exam objective this book has good coverage of the material. I think that certain areas such as PKI management could be expanded just a bit.

Also the practice questions were close to the actual exam, and I think that more should be added. The author certainly has an excellent understanding of the material and evident throughout the book.

With the ever changing world of Security, this book should have regular updates, either via the web or a new edition of the book. Also included is a Prep Logic cd, while Prep Logic does produce a high quality product this is not the full version of the product. Although for the money it should have been included.

Overall this book is a useful tool outside the exam and you stand a decent chance of passing the exam. Couple this book with the Exam Cram2 Security+ and you have a better chance.

Rating:
Summary: In Depth Information
Review: No one source is going to have everything needed to pass an exam, and books alone can't substitute for the hands-on lab work needed to supplement learning. However, the Security+ Training Guide is an excellent source of information from an author, Todd King, who understands the information and conveys it clearly. This book makes an excellent contribution to builing your skillset.

Rating:
Summary: Falls Short
Review: The author knows his stuff. He explains most of the topics in a clear manner. However, this book will not adequately prepare you to pass the exam. To pass, start out with "Mastering Network Security" by Chris Brenton. Then supplement it with one of the other Security+ exam guides from your public library. Don't waste your money on this one.