CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead SY0-301

You don't need to pay thousands for in class test prep to pass the Security+ exam. Follow these three steps and you can pass your test and pay only $55ish in test prep. If you are in an IT field, or you went to school for IT, you've already got a great head start. The Security+ exam assumes you've taken the Network+ exam. You don't need to take the Network+ exam to be prepared for Security+, just as long as you have a background in IT which includes how servers, firewalls, routers and switches work. CompTIA isn't know for advanced certifications, but there tests do show that you have a very good understanding of the subject and that it will be easy for you to learn as your career moves forward. How to pass the Security+ exam in 3 easy steps, should only take you a month. 1. Go to YouTube. Search for "Professor Messer", head to his YouTube page and watch all 185 videos for the Security+ exam. each video is only 5 to 8 min long and gives you a very good head start to the exam. He is easy to listen to, and covers everything. 2. Read this book. Take the practice exams. The pre test in the beginning of the book will show you what you know from the videos. I got a 75% when I took it. Read each chapter, and take the chapter tests. The book is easy to read, just like watching the videos. It covers a lot of the same stuff but goes into more detail. You already have an idea of everything, this just takes it one step further. It will also help you study to remember all the important port numbers along with all the acronyms you'll need to know. This test is FULL of acronyms. 3. Take practice tests. (Update 4/14/14) Check out quizlet.com, search Security+. Good exams to test your knowledge and see how far along you are. All free! Now go pass your test! You will be more then well prepared. UPDATE 9/14 As a reference point, I have a bachelors degree IT Networking which included a lot of security classes. I currently work for a large company in governance and compliance. With that background, I studied for 3 weeks before taking the test. The test will feel harder then you expected, it did for me, but I still passed just fine. I had 7 simulations questions, I know I got at least one wrong because I couldn't remember the port numbers. Other than that they are pretty easy. Take extra time to memorize port numbers and acronyms, I wish I had, but I got threw it just fine.

I am in a position where Comptia Security + is a requirement and my boss gave us all a dead line on when we need to have it by. During this time I only had my A+ certification and was going to go up the chain steadily at my own pace (A+ then Net+ then Sec+). My supervisor (who has his CCNA, CCENT, and SEC+) recommended this book for me. He said it was the best he has ever read. So I ordered this book... Content: The content of this book is EXTREMELY well written. It is written by Darril Gibson and you will find out shortly that when you read this book it is like one friend talking to another friend. I am new to IT and didn't know jack about Sec+ but as I started going through this book it just made sense. At the end of each chapter Darril has a section on things you should know that will be on the test and writes them out which makes a quick review/study cheat sheet and also practice questions. Gibson makes it extremely easy to reference any content that you might want to work on because he will put exactly where it is on the book at the beginning of the chapter overview. Difficulty: I would recommend this to anyone who is studying Sec+ whether you have an idea or even know a lot and would like to brush on Sec+, it is one of the easiest reads I have had since I started IT. Content related to Test: This books sole purpose is to HELP you with the test! It GIVES you the knowledge to know what you are talking about. On my actual test I remember having many questions that I have not seen or heard of before but solely because of this book, I absorbed this content so well I was able to slowly narrow down the question and delivered the correct answer. If I acn absorb the content that well I know anyone else can too! Overall: I have a VCE program on my computer which gives huge test banks of questions and yes you do see some of those questions on the real test but keep in mind SOME! I solely passed my test because of this book, not only do I feel like Darril and I are friends now (like mentioned earlier it reads as if a friend is talking to you), but the information that I absorbed in this book will help me in my IT career. There are many books on the market for Sec+ but this one was by far the best one that I have read. I passed my SYO-301 test with this book and you can too with this book!

Let me start by saying I've used the Element K Security+ books for years in Security+ classes as a trainer. I did some research when I was preparing to take the latest version of the exam (SY0-301) and found positive reviews of Darril Gibson's book. I purchased it and discovered it is easy to read and understand with clear explanations for even the most difficult Security+ topics. In addition there are great practice questions for review at the end of each chapter along with a full test at the beginning of the book to assess your starting skill set and another full test at the end to show your progress. The answers sections do a great job of explaining why the correct answer is correct as well as a review of what the incorrect answers mean. I took the exam this morning and passed with 867/900 (96.3%). The book was invaluable as an exam preparation tool. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking to not only pass the exam on the first try, but also to get a strong grasp of basic security concepts. This is both a prep tool and an easy to use reference. On a personal note I had a few questions when I was looking over the book and went to the author's website ([...]) and then contacted him via email. He was quick to respond, very personable and took time to give detailed answers to my questions. Thanks for everything Darril!

Very good book.

Muy buen material de estudio para superar la certificación CompTIA Security+, además de buen precio. El contenido es de calidad, bien redactado (en inglés, único idioma en el que está disponible la certificación) y bien maquetado. De toda la bibliografía que he consultado, éste libro me ha parecido el mejor. Si no he puesto 5 estrellas es porque hay ciertas preguntas (muy pocas) del examen que el libro no cubre. Aún así me parece una gran obra, altamente recomendable.

Darril does a great job of making the technical jargon simple. Using the book along with his on-line tests is all you need.

Just Excellent! Very easy read and to the point, I passed with the score 896 out of 900! just follow the author's guideline. I highly recommend this book.

Superb book. It's so good, that you'll become excited to read it. Excellent use of questions, and its memory reinforcing.. so that you come away having learnt a lot. The point is this - he makes you learn and remember the topics, which is worth it's weight in gold. I'm delighted with it - a hard thing to say for a "Certification" book. **Update June 2014. Still regularly read this book. It's great for interviews, and technical tests. The explanations are still legendary.