Security+ Certification Training Kit (Pro-Certification)

To sum this one up, Microsoft should stick with software. Plus they have carried bugs from the software over to their books. Reccomend you go with Exam Cram or even the Dummies book!

This book is a really good Securty+ study manual, but there are significant pitfalls to be aware of. Like all of Bill G's products, it usually assumes that Microsoft software is the only and/or best solution to every possible computing need. CompTIA tests are supposed to be *vendor neutral*, but this book doesn't quite make it there. As a matter of fact, if you've been a computer user since the early days you might get downright offended at parts of it. Be sure that you keep this in mind and pick up something from another publisher to back up your studies so you'll be sure to learn about the rest of the non-Microsoft computing world.

I used 3 books to study for this exam, and this was by far the most comprehensive (without covering details that are not on the test) and the one that succeeded in explaining objectives in real-world scenerios that could easily be understood and applied. However, the practice exam on the CD-ROM does not accurately reflect the types of questions that are presented to the test taker when sitting for the actual Security+ exam. I would recommend buying Mike Meyer's Security+ Passport as kind of an introduction or a way to ease yourself into this book, and also utilize the practice tests that come on the Meyer's CD-ROM instead of the one included with this Microsoft Kit. For those of you who would like to build on the material presented in this publication, I would suggest "Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals." This is a great reference that goes more in depth in most areas and also maps directly to the exam. GOOD LUCK

Data and network security is the fastest growing segment of the IT industry. On almost every major job search engine there are literally hundreds of opening in the security field. Security+ is the first step to obtaining one of those jobs and this book can help.

The authors have done a decent job of covering each and every objective and domain. The book takes a more hands-on approach rather than just a manual to read and memorize. If you're like me then the more you can do the better you'll retain the information.

One thing I like about this book is that it doesn't move from one objective to the next, what the authors do in covering the objectives but in a cohesive manner, which in some case requires the splitting of objective on several chapters. In fact there is a domain breakdown in the front of the book.

The book has over 35 lessons and over 25 exercises, all are self paced so you learn at your speed. One thing I did notice is that you do need to understand networking and TCP/IP in order to comprehend some of the material.

There is a cd included which has a testing tool which has about 200 questions, I am always for more, but this should provide a good foundation. There are also a few chapters of the Security Resource Kit and I really think they should have included the entire text.

While this book does tend to lean a little to the Microsoft side of things you should be able to work with enough to have a decent shot at the exam. You might also find it useful in the pursuit of Microsoft's 70-214 exam as well. Microsoft is also planning to add Security+ to the MCSA elective list and this is another incentive for passing the exam.

Finally there are an abundance of links included inthis book which allows you to further reseach the topics without hav ing to spend an enormous amount of time searching on your own. Overall fairly well done.

If you have never had security experience or feel a little weak on the topic, this book is for you. It is an actual training kit within the book. You will not just step through the CompTIA objectives. On page xxi you will find a breakdown of the objectives and what chapter you will find the material in. This plus the table of contents makes this book a great last minute read before the test. I just got the book and in 2 days have finished a read through. Very comprehensive including Appendix B which tells you which ports to know before the test. You can also use the CD to load the book in ebook. E-book allows total searching of the text. Also 50 question tests are very good and length is not a killer to just sit down and do spur of the moment.
Lastly, use the web links in this book. They will provide you with a great amount of data without having to use search engines.