Kirkian Computing

Month: April 2020

  • PenTest+ (PT0-001)

    In April 2019, I took CompTIA’s PenTest+ exam. Along with CySA+, this bridges the gap between Security+ and CASP. As the name suggests, it’s all about penetration testing.

    This is a relatively new exam, and it’s still on the first release (PT0-001). Because of that, it’s not very well known, so I haven’t seen any job adverts asking for it. Personally, I took the Security+ exam in November 2016, so that was due to expire in November 2019 (along with the A+ and Network+). Doing this exam was a good way to renew all of my existing CompTIA certifications, while learning some new skills, so I don’t regret it. However, I mainly see it as a stepping stone towards a more useful certification.

    Pen testing exams generally fall into two categories: theory and practical. Like the other CompTIA exams, PenTest+ is (primarily) multiple choice. This has the advantage that it can be graded automatically by the testing software. However, it also has the downside that it’s less realistic, because it’s more fragmented. It’s entirely possible to pass this exam without ever actually doing a penetration test, which makes the certification less valuable to employers.

    As an analogy, think of a driving test. Normally, you would drive around the area for a while to demonstrate your general ability, then the examiner would ask you to perform a few manoeuvres (e.g. parallel parking). Imagine instead that the examiner drove you to a suitable location, then you swapped seats so that you could do a manoeuvre, then you swapped seats again so that they could drive you to the next location. PenTest+ feels a bit like this, e.g. they might ask you how you would set up a reverse shell but you won’t need to choose when to do that.

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  • SSCP

    In September 2018, I took the (ISC)2 SSCP exam (Systems Security Certified Practitioner). This was a bit different from any of the previous exams I’ve taken: normally I would sit the exam(s), then get a qualification if I passed. In this case, the exam is only one component: you also need to be endorsed by an (ISC)2 member who will vouch for you having suitable experience.

    The name (ISC)2 is (or was) an abbreviation for International Information System Security Certification Consortium. If you think of a mathematical formula, (ISC)2 = IISSCC. They also offer the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), which is aimed at higher level strategic roles and probably better known; that’s the type of certification that a CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) might have. By contrast, the SSCP is aimed at tactical (hands on) roles, and that interests me more than the management side of things.

    The SSCP and CISSP both have a CBK (Common Body of Knowledge), spread across multiple domains (topics). Passing the SSCP or CISSP exam will qualify you to become an Associate of (ISC)2. However, to actually get the SSCP certification you need to have 1 year’s experience in at least 1 of the 7 domains. For the CISSP you need to have 5 years’ experience in at least 2 of the 8 domains.

    So, if you’re trying to move from a general role (e.g. service desk) into a security role, this implies that you wouldn’t be eligible for either. However, if you have a relevant degree in a cybersecurity program then the ISC2 will accept that in lieu of a year’s experience for the SSCP.

    In 2018, I was very enthusiastic about getting a more prestigious certification, and I thought that this would really open doors for me. However, reviewing it in 2020, I don’t think it’s really helped my career at all, and I don’t recall seeing any job adverts that mentioned the SSCP. Prices have also risen, so I don’t know whether I’ll maintain it long-term, and right now I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else; my advice is to do the Security+ instead.

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  • Security+ (SY0-401)

    In November 2016, I took CompTIA’s Security+ exam.
    NB I did the SY0-401 syllabus; CompTIA replaced it with SY0-501 in October 2017, so some of the info in this blog post will now be a bit out of date.

    In brief, I think that this is a worthwhile certification. It emphasises breadth rather than depth, so if you want to specialise in IT security then it’s really just a starting point. However, if you’re doing general IT work then it covers a lot of topics that it’s useful for you to know. Similarly, from an employer’s point of view, someone with this certification should have a decent overview of security concepts.

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  • Sextortion

    For the last couple of years (since July 2018), I’ve been receiving “sextortion” emails. There a few variations, but the basic gist is always the same:
    “I’ve hacked your webcam and filmed you masturbating, now pay me money or I’ll send the video to everyone you know.”
    They often include my password, in an attempt to prove that they’ve got access to my computer.

    The ransom amount also varies, but they always ask for it to be paid in Bitcoin. The cheapest was €500, and the most expensive was $7,000.

    First things first: this is an empty threat. I’ve received thousands of these emails, but I’ve never replied to the sender or paid any money, and there have been zero consequences. In fact, I don’t believe that the alleged video or malware actually exists at all. However, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

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