The Learning People - Cyber Security Course

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epcj

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#271970 3-Jun-2020 22:46

Hi guys,

I thought I'd reach out as I am looking to change my career path to something in IT, specifically something in Penetration Testing or Cyber Security.

I have landed on The Learning People, who offer an introductory course into cybersecurity which would give me the following certifications:

CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA CySA+

Is this a good start, and would this give me the right qualifications to enter the industry as they have brilliantly sold me on? (I understand the guy I have been speaking to is a sales worker and is probably saying anything he can to get this across the line).

He mentioned that I would be looking at 90K for an entry-level role in Syndey and that the market is flooded with jobs at the moment as the industry has more roles than qualified candidates. How accurate or not accurate at all is this? Again, I realise that a salesperson would probably oversell this aspect too.

Has anyone used The Learning People before? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated, and if you have any advice for other avenues to enter the world of cybersecurity from an online-based learning institution (can't really go to a university course as I work full time) that would be awesome.

Cheers

billgates

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#2497817 3-Jun-2020 23:36

$90k for an entry level role in Sydney? They are lying to you. More like $45 to $50k.

Do whatever you want to do man.

D.W

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2497820 3-Jun-2020 23:54

Those are some entry-level certs that wouldn't get you any further than an entry level position on a helpdesk or similar.

To get to the pen testing/cyber security roles you're likely to need to go down a path involving some level of qualification to get an entry-level position (helpdesk etc.) and work towards a system/network administrator type role, then look at upskilling with the specialized skills required and moving into a security-based role (with the experience to go with it).

If that is the advice they gave you, I'd steer clear personally.

lxsw20

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#2497823 3-Jun-2020 23:59

I would argue something the IT industry does not need is CyberSec people with no previous IT experience. Thats not a personal dig at you.

xpd

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#2497846 4-Jun-2020 07:15

Those courses are easily done at home by yourself with the right material, you don't need a 3rd party involved.

I paid to do an AMES course for A+ many moons ago, within a week I was bored and was having to correct the tutor.... who was just reading out of the book we all had anyway. I kicked myself for forking out the $$ when I couldve just paid the $300 or whatever it was to sit the exam.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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epcj

12 posts

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#2497929 4-Jun-2020 08:58

Cheers for the info guys! Looks like I'll be steering well clear and giving the salesman a piece of my mind when he inevitably does a follow-up call hahaha.

I'm still interested in entering this field, whether it be gradually attaining these certs and anything others that can further my career.

Is there any path you guys would recommend in the way of online learning? I have been looking at Cybrary which seems to be pretty good.

Would more certs = better chance at skipping these 50K roles? Or are these entry-level roles pretty crucial in getting a foothold in the industry? I just don't want to take a backward step financially as I just would not be able to afford it.

xpd

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#2497986 4-Jun-2020 09:45

IMHO, experience wins over certs in most cases. So get entry level roles while doing self study for certificates.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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frankv

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#2497998 4-Jun-2020 10:17

xpd:

IMHO, experience wins over certs in most cases.

Yeah. But maybe the OP can leverage off his current career and step onto a higher rung? In which case certs + experience might be better.

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networkn

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#2498006 4-Jun-2020 10:40

xpd:

IMHO, experience wins over certs in most cases. So get entry level roles while doing self study for certificates.

I used to feel this way and to some degree, it's still the case, but having certs, shows an ability to learn from a variety of media types which is important too.

Lias

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#2498361 4-Jun-2020 16:05

I think both certs and experience are important, but you can't put the cart before the horse either way. In my experience, if you run out and get a bunch of industry certs with no experience, employers are less likely to hire you. If you have experience, but can't prove it with a piece of paper, often the same thing.

People generally don't (and almost always shouldn't!) just walk into jobs like that without experience under their belts, so I'm always very leery of training places that promise young IT hopefuls jobs like that when they walk out the door. I've worked with and occasionally hired many graduates of these places over the years and my anecdotal experience is none of them are ready for anything more challenging than help desk / field engineer type roles even if they have CCNP and MCSE or whatever after their name. Part of that stems from some things you just can't learn from a book (especially when the guy reading it is all too often only a chapter or two ahead of you!), and some also stems from the fact that the Microsoft or Cisco or whatever 'by the book' way of doing things bears little resemblance to reality.

That general advise aside, pen testing is something that I personally think is much more a self taught skill than many other IT skills if you are going to be any good at it. If you must do a course (in conjunction with getting some actual experience!), there are others that are probably far more relevant than anything you listed. CEH is probably the most well known, but GPEN and OCSP are better from what I hear. You probably also want to consider attending local ISIG and maybe OWASP meetings etc too, can pick up a huge amount of knowledge there.

My 2 cents.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

SD722

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Wannabe Geek

#2506774 17-Jun-2020 15:51

Hi,

I'm in the same boat as you, and have been looking at a course at Unitec, one year Diploma in Cyber security. As with the rest of the comments here experience is key, however if you're new well I figure it's not as easy as it seems. The best thing about the diploma is part of each semester is offered as an internship with one of 3 big companies.

One year to get invested and meet key stakeholders. I'm thinking the course will actually be too broad for any real in depth knowledge but to pair it with your own work could be a result. Who knows really, but could be something to look at.