Find The Best Certification Path
The SCP Skills Map
Defining the right career path in IT security can be a daunting task. SCP has created a career and business development tool - the
IT Security Skills and Certification Map - to guide IT pros through the complex array of security options. It is available for download at the right of the page.
Reading the Skills Map
This Map is divided into two areas, the
Required Skills and Certifications section, and the
Recommended/Required Skills graphs. Both sections provide valuable information to guide certification choices
The list of career levels on the left side of the Skills Map provides an overview of the types of skills and certifications required for a given career. Every organization has unique requirements, so this should be used as a guideline only.
Required Skills and Certifications
Any
Information Worker who uses a computer that is connected to a network, including the Internet, needs basic security education. SCP’s single course – the Security Awareness Program - is designed for everyone. It covers the basics: creating a strong password, using e-mail and the web securely, etc.
I
T pros seeking to move beyond an Information Worker role need certification in specific skills and technologies. The starting point, and the recommended pre-requisite for the SCP certifications, is CompTIA’s Security+. This program provides the basic security concepts that required to build a security career.
The first two SCP certifications for IT pros are
Security Certified Network Specialist (SCNS) and
Security Certified Network Professional (SCNP). These intense, hands-on certifications provide critical network security fundamentals for all network administrators. Skills covered include the design and implementation of firewalls, IDS, wireless security, cryptography, Linux security, Windows security, among others.
Upon achieving SCNP certification, IT pros can pursue certifications highlighted in the specialized skills section of the Map. These certifications can be vendor-neutral or vendor-specific. Common vendor-specific security certifications are offered by Cisco, Microsoft, Novell, and security vendors like Checkpoint and RSA. Vendor-neutral certifications include EC-Council’s CEH, Planet3 Wireless’ CWSP, and SCP’s
Security Certified Network Administrator (SCNA).
The top of the map features security certifications related to security design and compliance. Highlighted certifications include ISC(2)’s CISSP and SSCP, and ISACA’s CISM.
Career Levels and Blending Certifications
The lower half of the Skills Map explains how to blend certifications in a customized security career path. Identifying the required skills for a given role is the first step in customizing a certification plan.
Each career level requires a different mix of skills. Information Workers require a well-rounded security understanding. IT Administrators need additional training in network security techniques. IT Managers will build on these skills, adding specialization and design and compliance skills IT Executives will be much less involved in security implementation, focusing almost exclusively on policy-setting and compliance.
Below are some examples of IT security roles and the certification paths that will prepare students to succeed in them.
Security Certification Path Examples
| Career Role |
Security Professional |
| Skills |
Well-rounded, hands-on, network security skills |
| Certification Path |
Security+ → SCNS → SCNP |
| |
|
| Career Role |
Security Administrator |
| Skills |
High-level implementation skills |
| Certification Path |
Security+ → SCNS → SCNP → SCNA |
| |
|
| Career Role |
Security Management |
| Skills |
Security management, design, and policy-setting |
| Certification Path |
Security+ → SCNS → SCNP → CISSP (or)
Security+ → SCNS → SCNP → CISM |
| |
|
| Career Role |
Wireless Security Specialist |
| Skills |
Security Professional specializing in wireless |
| Certification Path |
Security+ → SCNS → SCNP → CWSP |
| |
|
| Career Role |
Ethical Hacking Specialist |
| Skills |
Security Professional specializing in ethical hacking |
| Certification Path |
Security+ → SCNS → SCNP → CEH |
| |
|
| Career Role |
Cisco Security Specialist |
| Skills |
Security Professional specializing in Cisco |
| Certification Path |
Security+ → SCNS → SCNP → CCSP (Cisco certification) |
The starting point for each career is the same. Combining the solid basic security concepts of Security+ with the hands-on skills of the SCNS and the SCNP, IT pros can choose the best certification path for their career. SCP’s Skills Map provides the framework for developing any IT security career.