CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-201 Study Guide [Paperback]

Darril Gibson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2009

CompTIA Security+ SY0-201: Get Certified, Get Ahead by Darril Gibson presents a comprehensive and all-inclusive approach for studying, preparing, and mastering the core competencies needed to pass the CompTIA Security+ SY0-201 exam. Learn from an expert in the field with over twenty years’ experience in the IT arena. Over the years, author Darril Gibson has helped hundreds of students get certified, and has included in this text the time-tested information used in his successful classes. This manual covers one hundred percent of all exam objectives and includes real world examples of security principles in action. Also included are over 375 practice test questions with in-depth explanations. Written with clarity and efficiency, CompTIA Security+ SY0-201: Get Certified, Get Ahead is a one-stop shop for any IT professional interested in advancing in the IT field and a must read for anyone striving to master the basics of IT systems security.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

After teaching Security+ classes to hundreds of students, I wanted to write a book that shares the same knowledge to anyone that I'm able to share in the classroom and help them take and pass the exam the first time they take it. Based on the feedback I'm getting, the book does just that. Whether you attend a class or self-study to learn this material, I wish you the best of luck in your studies.

(added by author)

From the Back Cover

In CompTIA Security+ SY0-201: Get Certified, Get Ahead author and IT security expert Darril Gibson presents the essential knowledge required to pass this demanding and competitive security exam. In a technological world besieged with ever increasing security threats, IT professionals savvy enough to master systems security will be in high demand and play a vital role in the future of technology. Inside this text author Darril Gibson covers:

• Access Control Models and Authentication
• Basic and Advanced Network Security Essentials
• Predicting and Mitigating Threats
• Basics of Cryptography
• One hundred percent coverage of all CompTIA Security+ SY0-201 exam objectives
• Real-world examples of security principles in action
• Over 375 practice test questions with in-depth explanations

If you're interested in advancing your IT career, then this book is essential reading. CompTIA Security+ SY0-201: Get Certified, Get Ahead is written to help you quickly master the objectives and successfully pass the exam becoming Security+ certified.

(added by author)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 602 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing; Stg edition (September 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439236364
• ISBN-13: 978-1439236369
• Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 6.9 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (186 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After a 22 year Navy career working with computers and electronics, Darril Gibson set a goal for himself. He decided he wanted to become a full time author and write books that help others. Since then, he has authored, coauthored, or contributed to more than 30 books. One of his true joys in life is receiving emails from readers letting him know about their successes after using one of his books.

Over the years, Darril has earned multiple certifications including: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CASP, and CTT+; (ISC)2 SSCP and CISSP; Microsoft MCT (since 1999), MCSA, MCSE, MCITP, MCTS, MCDST, MCAD, MCSD, and MCDST.

Darril has written books on CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ core certifications, ISC(2) SSCP and CISSP security certifications, and multiple Microsoft certifications. He has also written a book for people just starting their careers titled "You Can Do Anything - Three Simple Steps to Success for Graduates."

He regularly blogs at blogs.GetCertifiedGetAhead.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect!! December 12, 2009

By Alton Johnson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

perfect! i love this book. i had the original microsoft security+ book for class, and this book covered WAY more than what that book did, and alot less pages. i'm going to take my security+ certification exam on the 18th of December. i'm feeling very confident, as this book says it covers 100% of the exam. i'm just hoping there's no scenarios on the test =p, just questions about what i learned in the book, lol.

EDIT: Passed my exam with a 865/900 with this book! About 2-3 tricky questions throughout the entire test but it was ALL familiar. There was absolutely NOTHING unfamiliar on this test that the book didn't cover! Thank you :)

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book you need! January 20, 2010

By Mike

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The best thing I like about this book is that it talks to you instead of technically instructing you and it makes for a comfortable read while riding the bus or in bed. Another good feature is the text size is exceptionally larger than Sybex books, which again makes it easier to read. You will pass with book read it cover to cover and once over any areas you dont understand and take all the practice questions(seriously like the real exam).

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hit the Nail Right on the Head! October 20, 2009

By F. Richard Robb

Format:Paperback

This book is excellent for both real world techniques for employing best practices for security as well as for passing the CompTia SYO-201 Security + Exam. It gets to the main points very quickly and actually is a very easy read...despite the fairly complex subject matter. The author doesn't preach to the choir, nor does he talk down to his audience...but it's almost as if he is engaging the reader in a discussion about various security related topics. The book is very well laid out and has lots of important points pulled out and highlighted in 'Remember' bubbles. Add to the excellent content a liberal sprinkling of Practice Exam questions thoughout the book and you have the perfect blend of study guide and reference book!

This is THE BOOK for nailing the Security + exam!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 98 percent complete August 11, 2010

By K. Ducharme

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I just passed the exam with an 868/900 (96%) and I used this book almost solely. I will throw in the disclaimer that I'm a CCNA, MCSA, and VCP (VMWare Certified Professional) with 15 years experience and the real-world experience was actually tested pretty effectively at times. I feel bad for young bucks that have lived in the world of prolific anti-virus software on workstations, servers, and email relays.

I downloaded the Security+ 2008 Exam Objectives directly from the CompTia website and double checked that this book hit on every topic and ever acronym. I'd recommend hitting this same list before, after, and during to make sure you didn't skim or miss anything. If you're very solid on the content in this book and everything on the objective list then you should call yourself "ready for this exam".

I also bought the Sybex CompTIA Security+ Study Guide for the CD with electronic flashcards and a practive exam but the Sybex book and Sybex CD were 70% garbage. I did refer to Sybex in a few cases to get details on IPSec and some encryption algorithms but Wikipedia would have done just the same thing.

Where the book lacked: beware the epic fail on their port/protocol definitions of L2TP and PPTP which is flat-out embarrassing (see errata sheet on website), their mistakenly listing WEP as Wireless Equivalent Privacy in the index which is silly (it is Wired), missing details about the Blowfish algorithm (oddly not on the Exam Objectives list but brought up twice on my exam), the book's website is ugly and worthless aside from the Errata sheet (I had really hoped for new information or sample quesitons), and finally the synonymns of the authenitcation methods aren't all covered (they were mostly common sense on the exam, but not in all cases).... That list actually looks more brutal typed out than it should.

The good: the book hit 98% of the questions on the exam, was clear and easy to understand, has terrific font size and spacing for readability, the author has a good non-condescending tone and excellent real world examples (this book reads the way that a good classroom instructor sounds), the acronym list at the end of the book is almost a perfect match to those listed on the exam objective doc on the CompTia website, the practice questions are decent match to the real exam.

For n00bies you should have excellent problem-solving skills, a ridiculously good grasp on security topics (many university courses would meet this criteria), and many hours on exam engines in addition to this book. Seasoned vets should have a big leg up and for sure don't need to drop the insane coin that all these "online training" places want (CompTia being one of them) and they'll be fine with this book.

You won't go wrong with this book if you just read the errata sheet and drill yourself forwards and backwards on it then sprinkle in a little real-world experience and a practice deciphering the hidden meaning in exam questions. I'd recommend it above any other Security+ material out there. Read more ›

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars After Exam Review... November 17, 2010

By Erik

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

English is not my first language, with that being said. Time for the review!!! I was actually awaiting after the exam to provide my review so here I go.

If you are looking for a non-boring book and one that give you all the knowledge in non-too technological terms in order for you to understand the material, this is the book for you. I watched all the reviews here prior to buy this book here and since all of them was 5 starts I decided to give it a try.

With Spanish being my first language I was afraid to get lost in a lot of difficult terminologies and stuff like that. Let me tell you something. This Book is magical. Even with only a year with Help Desk IT experience I was able to master all the subjects with this book. Sometime if I don't understand one word, I used to go to "Google Translate" and keep going. This is the best book I come across ever, its really fun to read and the real world scenarios are really helpful to better understand security. The Book is really easy to read (big letters), and it has a lot of practice question after each chapter.

After reading this book for a month, I fell really confident about taking the test. I went last Saturday November 11,2010. And passed the exam at the firs try with a score of 802/900!!! THE BOOK COVERED 100% OF THE EXAM.

I really recommend this book to all the rookies out there like me that are looking forward to pass the Security+ at the first Try. The ratings are 5 starts for a reason.

I'm glad I bought this book. If I could give it 10 starts I would.