Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has opinions on SANS 503 and 504. This is the scenario I've graduated with a degree in computer forensics along with the CCE certification and am wanting to take a class in security that may help me to secure a job in the security/forensics field. I'd prefer not to have to take the Security Essentials 401 class first since I am paying out of pocket and can only afford one class at the moment. So I would like to take a class that is more in depth instead of all around. I do have networking knowledge through a Certificate of Completion in Networking that I did years ago. I was told by several people that it may be best to start out in the security field and then move into forensics unless I decide I like security and decide to stay in it. I have had several informational meetings with head security officers from organizations such as hospitals, colleges, and a few financial companies in my community and have been told that these two classes would be the most beneficial to me regarding first time employment. I'm just wondering if either of these classes would be too difficult for me since I really don't have professional experience within the security field….
Thanks…
As said through PM's with all the recent grads like you and myself it's tough to get into CF whereas Security has a much larger field of opportunties and that increases your chances to get hired and then possibly move laterally across to the CF dept if they have one and it's not already combined with the Security dept.
Good luck! Keep me posted on the class I want to go to it also.
Do the 504. It's better and a more sought after Cert GCIH.
The 504 is not "better" than the 503 or vice-versa, because they teach different things. I'm qualified in both.
503/GCIA is for intrusion analysis/IDS analysts and 504/GCIH is part of the SANS incident handling and penetration testing tracks (you can typically build on it with 508 or 560)
504/GCIH may be more sought after relative to 503/GCIA but that's because people see incident handling & pen-testing, and now especially forensics, as the Gucci stuff. In reality they all have their part to play & depends on what you actually want to do within the computer security field!
Ergo, you can't objectively compare chalk with cheese.