Security Certification David Cass, CISSP, NSA-IAM
Why Security Certification Professional validation of skills • exposure to industry standards • best practices • baseline skills for a specific role
Why Security Certification Internal & External Value • Credible advice & support • Quality of work & productivity • Differentiation of your organization or group • Culture of excellence
Why Security Certification Certification: • Not a substitute for years of experience
Which certifications are right for my organization? Organizational Needs Assessment: • Roles & Responsibilities • Experience • Types of Infrastructure equipment supported
Security Certifications Classifications: • Benchmark – Wide recognition by professionals in all sectors – Advanced level – Prerequisite for many senior jobs • Foundation – Introductory certifications – One to four years of experience
Security Certifications Classifications: • Intermediate – 3 to 4 years of networking experience – 2 years of IT Security experience • Advanced – Expert level – Minimum of 4 years of IT Security experience
Security Certifications •Vendor and Product Specific – Hardware/ software dependent – Range from intro to expert or advanced levels – Examples include: Cisco, Check Point, Symantec, Tivoli, Microsoft, and others
Security Certifications Benchmark certifications: • CISSP – isc2.org – Common Body of Knowledge – Access Control Systems and Methodology – Applications & Systems Development – Business Continuity Planning – Cryptography – Law, Investigation & Ethics
Security Certifications Benchmark: •CISSP – Common Body of Knowledge – Operations Security – Physical Security – Security Architecture & Models – Security Management Practices – Telecommunications, Network & Internet Security
Security Certifications Benchmark: • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – isaca.org – IT audit community – Covers: – Management, planning and organization of IS – Technical infrastructure and operational practices – Protection of Information Assets – Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Security Certifications Benchmark: • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – Covers: – Business Application Systems Development, Acquisition, Implementation and Maintenance – Business Process Evaluation and Risk Management – IS Audit Process
Security Certifications Foundation level: • Security+ – CompTIA – Focus on basic architecture, business, and products – Covers: – General Security Concepts – Communications Security – Infrastructure Security – Basics of Cryptography – Operational/Organizational Security
Security Certifications Foundation level: • TICSA Certified Security Associate by Trusecure – Network admins, and entry level audit personnel – Focus on architecture and products – Covers: – Security Practices and Procedures – Security Fundamentals – TCP/IP Networking Fundamentals – Firewall Management Fundamentals – Detection, Response & Recovery
Security Certifications Foundation level: • TICSA Certified Security Associate by Trusecure – Covers: – Administration & Maintenance Fundamentals – Design & Configuration Basics – Malicious Code Fundamentals – Law, Ethics, and Policy – Authentication Fundamentals – Cryptography Basics
Security Certifications Foundation level: SANS • GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) – Basic understanding of the CBK – Basic skills to incorporate good infosec practices • GIAC IT Security Audit Essentials – Developing audit checklists – Perform limited risk assessment
Security Certifications Foundation level: • SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) – isc2 – Covers: – Access Controls – Administration – Audit and Monitoring – Risk, Response, and Recovery – Cryptography – Data Communications – Malicious Code/Malware
Security Certifications Intermediate level: • National Security Agency Infosec Assessment Methodology – NSA-IAM – NSA process for identifying and correcting security weaknesses in information systems and networks • GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA) – Apply risk analysis techniques – Conduct technical audits
Security Certifications Intermediate level: • CIW Security Analyst Certification – Deployment of e-business transaction and payment security solutions – Implementing e-business security policies • GIAC Certified Windows Security Administrator (GCWN) – Secure and audit Windows systems • GIAC Certified UNIX Security Administrator (GCUX) – Secure and audit UNIX and Linux systems
Security Certifications Intermediate level: GIAC Specializations • Firewall Analyst • Forensic Analyst • Incident Handler
Security Certifications Advanced level: • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – isc2: CBK – Additional concentrations: – Information Systems Security Engineering Professional – Information Systems Security Management Professional – Information Systems Security Architecture Professional
Security Certifications Advanced level: • Certified Information Systems Auditor – Information Systems Audit and Control Association – Globally accepted standard IS Audit and Control
Security Certifications Vendor Specific: Cisco: • Cisco Certified Security Professional (Intermediate) • Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security (Advanced) Check Point: • Check Point Certified Security Administrator (Foundation) • Check Point Certified Security Expert (Advanced)
References & Resources • (isc)2 = International Information Systems Security Certifications Consortium, Inc. – https://www.isc2.org • Information Systems Audit and Control Association – http://www.isaca.org • SANS & Global Information Assurance Certification – http://www.giac.org/subject_certs.php • Certification Magazine – http://certmag.com
References & Resources • CIW Certified – http://www.ciwcertified.com • Cisco – http://cisco.com • Check Point – http://checkpoint.com • CSO Magazine – http://csoonline.com
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For Additional Information:
David.Cass.wt06@wharton.upenn.edu