Security Basics mailing list archives

RE: CISSP Question


From: "Simmons, James" <jsimmons () eds com>
Date: Wed, 2 May 2007 16:16:17 -0500

Well I can say from experience that a lot of aspiring military computer people are using that. A 4 year enlistment. 
Standing guard duty, firefighting, and then they reset passwords all day with little else experience. But of course on 
a resume/job sheet, it is easy to make it sound like you are single handedly running the entire network of 1000+ users. 
And for $2000 you too can attend a crash course to prep you for the test.

I find it funny/sad that there is an IT certification industry, and a "help you pass <cough>cheat</cough> an IT 
certification" industry.

Regards,

J.A. Simmons V
EDS - Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI)
Information Assurance Engineer
3980 Sherman St. | San Diego, CA 92110
Office: 1 + 619 817 3821 | Fax: 1 + 619 817 3780
jsimmons () eds com

-----Original Message-----
From: Florian Rommel [mailto:frommel () gmail com] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 1:34 PM
To: Simmons, James
Cc: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: CISSP Question


Touché James. Well done you pointed the one thing out that I have been thinking about for a while as well. However in 
99% I would say a person that has been on Guard duty for 4 years won't have much interest in a CISSP and then , if he 
should get it, will have to do quite some catching up to do.
Most employers will find it rather weird that he or she was doing guard duty
for 4 years and got a CISSP   :)

I do think though that this is a viable loophole for anyone that wants to exploit it that way. I do think it is a 
little far fetched because you still have to show that your job included some of the actions on the list.

Good point though, I like it. Wonder what ISC2 has to say about this and how many people have used that or a similar 
loophole already.

Cheers,

//Flosse

http://blog.2blocksaway.com

On 5/2/07 10:57 PM, "Simmons, James" <jsimmons () eds com> wrote:

So here is a thought for everyone.

To qualify for CISSP, you should have at least four years of 
experience in one of the ten domains. Of which includes Physical 
Security. So with a bit of cramming, your gun cleaning, gate guard of 
4 years can be a qualified CISSP with next to minimal experience in Information security.
And as per the ISC2 webpage, to qualify experience you need to have 
done some of the included actions.
(https://www.isc2.org/cgi-bin/content.cgi?category=1187)

Reactions anyone?

P.S. I am not saying that all gate guards are incapable of being good CISSP's.
I am just pointing out an all too common scenario.

Regards,

Simmons

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com 
[mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Florian Rommel
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 10:53 AM
To: Nicolas villatte; krymson () gmail com; 
security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: CISSP Question

I agree with Nicolas here. I definitely wouldn't endorse a Desktop 
Jockey with
4 years of experience. I already filed once a complaint because I know 
a guy who, because he has some certifications and has worked as a pc 
support, thinks he is qualified to take the exam. His "boss/ partner 
in crime" was ready to sign off on it. I know for some people a 
certification like the CISSP doesn't mean much but that still 
shouldn't mean anyone can get in. I had my work experience fully 
documented by all my previous employers  before I took the exam.

Security experience in any of the 10 domains for 4 years doesnt mean 
that during those 4 years you should have done something security 
related at some point it means that your position was directly security related.

//flosse
http://blog.2blocksaway.com


On 5/2/07 9:47 AM, "Nicolas villatte" <Nicolas.Villatte () chello be> wrote:

Not really, because 5% of your time involved in security during 4 
years would give you barely 2 months of experience. I don't know any 
CISSP who would endorse such a candidate.

https://www.isc2.org/cgi/content.cgi?category=1187

"Applicants must have a minimum of four years of direct full-time 
security professional work experience in one or more of the ten 
domains of the (ISC)² CISSP® CBK®."

Regards,
Nicolas.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
------
--------

Nicolas VILLATTE

CISSP, GCIA, GCIH, GCFA

Sr. Security Management Specialist


-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com
[mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of krymson () gmail com
Sent: mardi 1 mai 2007 14:14
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: CISSP Question

Just a quick add, don't overthink the 4 years' experience requirement.
You need that experience in any one (or more) of the 10 domains.
Honestly, if you're a desktop support jockey for 4 years and you do 
some sort of security as part of your work (do you manage passwords 
and/or respond to spyware incidents?), you can still qualify. 
Realistically, anyone with 4 years'
experience in IT.






Current thread: