Darill Gibson's books are usually always cream of the crop for a primary Sec+ resource - https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059
Supplemental videos are also a good thing to have for both review + the fact that when you learn similar material through a different presentation -- you'll usually find that you understand it better. https://www.professormesser.com/security-plus/sy0-501/sy0-501-training-course/
Definitely recommend also signing up for his monthly study group. https://www.professormesser.com/security-plus-study-group-registration/
From there, go absolutely nuts on the practice tests. Here's one resource I found. - https://www.examcompass.com/comptia/security-plus-certification/free-security-plus-practice-tests
Something I did when I was studying for the Sec+ a while ago, was print out the objectives and check off the concepts I felt that I could explain to someone -- who is completely unfamiliar with the topic.
As an aside, it also helps to have good note taking practices. I personally use Joplin (First iteration of note taking) + Anki (For transferring my more detailed notes to flash cards), while following this advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqYmmZKY4sA
Alternative note taking software includes: Evernote, CherryTree, OneNote, etc. It's more of a matter of preference, but regardless I'd still recommend Anki no matter what.
Hope this helped you out.
by Saft888 2021-12-10
I’ve been in the industry for a while and don’t have any cert’s. I’m currently studying for my Security+. I’m 90% sure I could pass the test even without studying but I don’t want to have a chance of wasting the money. I’ve got this book and I think it gives a good overview of the industry.
CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/1939136059/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wkayDbJYN4DMW
Also mainly just take practice exams and beef up the areas that are lacking. No need to over study things you already know. Stay calm during the exam, sleep well the night before, eat something before you go.
You will get it, you definitely seem dedicated and willing to work for it.
by OSUTechie 2019-08-24
GCGA or "Get Certified, Get Ahead" is the title of a series of books by Darrel Gibson you want the Security+ one.
by GumShoos 2019-08-24
Darril Gibson is your friend. You can either buy his book and/or visit his website and you should pass.
by Milkmanps3 2019-07-21
People have recommended some good things, but as a student myself i will tell you this: Before moving into advanced things, PLEASE - learn the basics. Learn how operating systems work and how to use them in an administrative capacity (Yes, that means Windows AND Linux. I notice a lot of my peers are uninterested in Windows administration but from what I've gathered most organizations are windows shops). Learn basic to intermediate networking, this is a MUST. Programming is not a requirement to going into security but i'll tell you this; it'll really help you gain a better understanding of how computers work, as well as give you that extra set of skills to pull out of your pocket when trying to solve a problem. If anything I recommend learning something like Python, or C.
​
Also, a personal opinion of mine is: Only learning what college teaches you is not enough for security, regardless of if you want to go blue team or red team, or do malware analysis/reverse engineering. You should be self learning outside of school as well. Set up a home lab (/r/homelab) to familiarize yourself with different systems, and to get hands on experience with different technologies. It will teach you so much, and when you go for that first entry position your interviewers will be impressed with everything you know. Mine certainly were, and not to sound cocky but I'm still in school to graduate next year and I got an internship, got hired on part time during the school year because they were impressed with my performance during the internship, which is to be converted to a full time employee should I wish to continue working there when I graduate.
Put in the work and you'll be rewarded. So many people skip the basics because it's not as "fun" or interesting, but especially in security- you can't keep building on top of something that doesn't have a good foundation or you'll end up with a mess. If you know the basics you'll be able to work on basic things, and then the more advanced things as well once the ground is solid.
​
Also, don't listen to everything they teach you in school. Depending on your school a lot of the information security curriculum may be very outdated (10-15 years old). Learning older things is useful, but you really need to learn newer stuff as well because new things pop up every single day. You can try getting your CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ to cover some of the basics. That will really help you - it's pretty much first year curriculum.
​
Edit: NoStarch books are some of my favorite security(and programming) books
and CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide by Darril Gibson is one of the best books for the Security+ test. Professor Messer's free videos are absolutely amazing.
by QDaManQ 2019-07-21
If you're going to take the Security+ I was told this book was the holy grail of Security +, and it was: https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059
I passed my Security+ today and that book was a large reason why! I purchased the Kindle version for 10 dollars and just read it wherever I could. Professor's videos were extremely helpful too. I also used the examcompass.com Security+ exams! Hope this helps and good luck!
My first attempt btw was 597
Links:
http://www.gtslearning-courses.net/
https://www.cbtnuggets.com/learn
Book I read by Dariil Gibson
https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3OQ0RW0P5085E&keywords=security+plus+sy0-501&qid=1551138675&s=gateway&sprefix=security+plus+%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-3
by simperialk 2019-07-21
I'd say that Darril Gibson's GCGA (Get Certified Get Ahead) book is a common favorite around here. I'll leave a link here for you if you'd like to check it out.
If you'd like some online study resources that will put you ahead of the game as well (by a long shot), I'll also link you to my Evernote list of everything I used for the Sec+. Study right and you'll pass with flying colors ��
Darill Gibson's books are usually always cream of the crop for a primary Sec+ resource - https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059
Supplemental videos are also a good thing to have for both review + the fact that when you learn similar material through a different presentation -- you'll usually find that you understand it better. https://www.professormesser.com/security-plus/sy0-501/sy0-501-training-course/
Definitely recommend also signing up for his monthly study group. https://www.professormesser.com/security-plus-study-group-registration/
From there, go absolutely nuts on the practice tests. Here's one resource I found. - https://www.examcompass.com/comptia/security-plus-certification/free-security-plus-practice-tests
Something I did when I was studying for the Sec+ a while ago, was print out the objectives and check off the concepts I felt that I could explain to someone -- who is completely unfamiliar with the topic.
As an aside, it also helps to have good note taking practices. I personally use Joplin (First iteration of note taking) + Anki (For transferring my more detailed notes to flash cards), while following this advice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqYmmZKY4sA
Alternative note taking software includes: Evernote, CherryTree, OneNote, etc. It's more of a matter of preference, but regardless I'd still recommend Anki no matter what.
Hope this helped you out.
I’ve been in the industry for a while and don’t have any cert’s. I’m currently studying for my Security+. I’m 90% sure I could pass the test even without studying but I don’t want to have a chance of wasting the money. I’ve got this book and I think it gives a good overview of the industry.
CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/1939136059/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wkayDbJYN4DMW
This book really helped me:
https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059
Also mainly just take practice exams and beef up the areas that are lacking. No need to over study things you already know. Stay calm during the exam, sleep well the night before, eat something before you go.
You will get it, you definitely seem dedicated and willing to work for it.
GCGA or "Get Certified, Get Ahead" is the title of a series of books by Darrel Gibson you want the Security+ one.
Darril Gibson is your friend. You can either buy his book and/or visit his website and you should pass.
People have recommended some good things, but as a student myself i will tell you this: Before moving into advanced things, PLEASE - learn the basics. Learn how operating systems work and how to use them in an administrative capacity (Yes, that means Windows AND Linux. I notice a lot of my peers are uninterested in Windows administration but from what I've gathered most organizations are windows shops). Learn basic to intermediate networking, this is a MUST. Programming is not a requirement to going into security but i'll tell you this; it'll really help you gain a better understanding of how computers work, as well as give you that extra set of skills to pull out of your pocket when trying to solve a problem. If anything I recommend learning something like Python, or C.
​
Also, a personal opinion of mine is: Only learning what college teaches you is not enough for security, regardless of if you want to go blue team or red team, or do malware analysis/reverse engineering. You should be self learning outside of school as well. Set up a home lab (/r/homelab) to familiarize yourself with different systems, and to get hands on experience with different technologies. It will teach you so much, and when you go for that first entry position your interviewers will be impressed with everything you know. Mine certainly were, and not to sound cocky but I'm still in school to graduate next year and I got an internship, got hired on part time during the school year because they were impressed with my performance during the internship, which is to be converted to a full time employee should I wish to continue working there when I graduate.
Put in the work and you'll be rewarded. So many people skip the basics because it's not as "fun" or interesting, but especially in security- you can't keep building on top of something that doesn't have a good foundation or you'll end up with a mess. If you know the basics you'll be able to work on basic things, and then the more advanced things as well once the ground is solid.
​
Also, don't listen to everything they teach you in school. Depending on your school a lot of the information security curriculum may be very outdated (10-15 years old). Learning older things is useful, but you really need to learn newer stuff as well because new things pop up every single day. You can try getting your CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ to cover some of the basics. That will really help you - it's pretty much first year curriculum.
​
Edit: NoStarch books are some of my favorite security(and programming) books
and CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide by Darril Gibson is one of the best books for the Security+ test. Professor Messer's free videos are absolutely amazing.
If you're going to take the Security+ I was told this book was the holy grail of Security +, and it was: https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059
I passed my Security+ today and that book was a large reason why! I purchased the Kindle version for 10 dollars and just read it wherever I could. Professor's videos were extremely helpful too. I also used the examcompass.com Security+ exams! Hope this helps and good luck!
Just get the Darril Gibson book.
https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059
My first attempt btw was 597 Links: http://www.gtslearning-courses.net/ https://www.cbtnuggets.com/learn Book I read by Dariil Gibson https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136059/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3OQ0RW0P5085E&keywords=security+plus+sy0-501&qid=1551138675&s=gateway&sprefix=security+plus+%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-3
I'd say that Darril Gibson's GCGA (Get Certified Get Ahead) book is a common favorite around here. I'll leave a link here for you if you'd like to check it out.
If you'd like some online study resources that will put you ahead of the game as well (by a long shot), I'll also link you to my Evernote list of everything I used for the Sec+. Study right and you'll pass with flying colors ��