RE: [FW1] Helo for CCSA Exam

[Dan R Dunn -CTR <DUNNDR@acq.osd.mil>]

<rant>
As a government contractor, I am seeing an increase in the number of RFPs that
state "MCSE required", "CCSE/CCSA highly desirable" (note: 'highly desirable'
means, in effect, required), etc.  The bean counters seem to think that if a
person is certified, they know what they're doing.  But IMHO, certifications are
like college degrees; they really don't mean a lot without the hands-on
experience to back them up.  Case in point:  I was sub-contracting to the IT
division of a VERY LARGE aerospace firm as the network security consultant.  I
was working with an individual right out of grad school (MS in Info Technology)
who was very book-smart on UNIX, but had little hands-on experience.  He got
tasked by the PM with writing the security test scripts for the system we were
developing and did not run them by me before running the tests in front of the
client.  Needless to say, without the hands-on experience, he embarrassed
himself and his company in front of a federal government customer.  So much for
his advanced degree.  I've also seen MCSEs who couldn't even spell NT!  By the
same token, I've seen people without degrees/certifications but with years of
experience who could blow the vendors' tech reps right out of the water.
I guess my whole point is that because of the increased emphasis on advanced
degrees and technical certifications in the industry today, it's worth the time
and effort to earn them.  However, I hope that HR reps and COTRs responsible for
determining who does or does not make the grade balance individuals' education
with their experience.
</rant>

------------------------------------------------------------
Daniel R. (Dan) Dunn
INFOSEC Engineer

The opinions expressed by the author are entirely his own, and do not reflect
those of GRCI, Inc., or its subsidiaries, nor do they reflect policy, opinion,
or endorsement by the US Department of Defense or any of its agencies.




================================================================================
     To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please see the instructions at
               http://www.checkpoint.com/services/mailing.html
================================================================================