Customer Reviews

CompTIA Security+ Deluxe Study Guide: SY0-201

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I purchased this book 3 weeks before I sat for the exam. The book content, flash cards and 4 practice exams were just the right balance to pass the exam. I would recommend this book to anyone needing/wanting to get the Security+ certification.

I had already worked for two companies performing C&A work, held an A+, and spent 15 years in server administration and desktop support / help desk when I tested. Using this book and its CD, and studying daily for over two months, it took me two tries to pass the exam. The 2008 exam is reportedly tougher than the 2007, so if you want an easier option, consider going that route while you can. I wish I had.

Having read this book cover to cover multiple times and having reviewed the sample test questions, chapter summaries and electronic flash cards almost to the point of complete rote memorization, I can tell you that there will be a couple of questions on the test nowhere in its pages. Unless you already hold a Network+ or similar cert, pay extra attention to chapter 2. Unless your job entails daily use of cryptographic terms and limits, as well as technical writing of your company's procedural documentation, study the minutia. Have numeric values you would normally reference committed to memory for the test. There will be a few questions for which the best answer is actually somewhat debatable from what you read in this book. There is one page in the book that lists some common port numbers. Memorize them, and you may get one or two answers out of that as well.

I held back on one star because I felt it could have been much more concise. I don't need to read how important security is when I'm studying for a test on it. I also held off a star for the glossary, which was missing some terms.

This book (the Deluxe Edition) is the same as the Study Guide with a few exceptions and those are exceptions worth noting: more study material in the form of bonus questions and appendices. One of the appendices - the lab manual - gives you hands-on exercises to walk you through the steps to not only know what the exam questions are talking about, but be able to relate them to the real world.

I read this book and the All-in-One CompTIA Security+ Exam Guide second edition to prepare for the Security+ Exam 2008. I also purchased a 30 day online subscription to Transcender.com.

I'm reviewing both books in this review because it's been a few weeks since I've taken the exam and much of the material was the same in both books. I'll also give a mini-review of the exam. And I bit of background information on myself.

I passed the exam on the first attempt. I don't remember my exact score, I think it was just shy of 800. I also have a background in Security and have been in IT for just under 10 years). From the time I started studying to the time I took the exam was just over one month.

I read the All-in-One book first and the Sybex book second. While most of the material in the books was the same. There were a few topics that only appeared in one book. I thought both books were pretty good. There were some topics on the exams that weren't touched on in either of the books. Unless you're planning on reading many more books, I guess that's expected.

That's why I would highly recommend using an online training tool. I wouldn't have passed the exam if I hadn't subscribed to Transcender (or something similar). I was a bit surprised at some of the questions on the exam. I was expecting to be a bit more prepared based on reading the two books and using Transcender, I felt much more prepared when I was taking the CCNA exams.

I definitely recommend having some real world experience if you're planning on taking the exam, as well.

I was very disappointed after reading this book as it contains much information that is flat-out incorrect. With a B.S. degree in Information Security, multiple years of experience, and a current Security+, I purchased this book for a friend and spent more time correcting wrong information in their test questions. Also, the review questions on the CD are not anywhere near the difficulty of those on the exam and I would HIGHLY recommend finding another source for your Security + (SY0-201) needs.

Sybex usually publishes a great book but this book is no where near the quality required. Check out CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition for a better book.

This book, by itself, is a poor preparation for the latest 2008 exam. The book has a good foundation of very basic instruction but fails to give specific applications of what you need to know to pass the test. I am not sure if there is ONE book that would help you pass the exam without some hardcore experience, especially crypto in specific applications. I don't recommend this book if you want to use it as the only source of information. You may want to try something else if you don't have a lot of experience.

This book is merely an update of the previous version, and contains some of the same errors. For example, the description of the Syn Flood says the attacking computer sends a continuous series of Ack requests, when it is a series of Syn requests, hence the name. There were a few times when I caught errors in this book. I sent in that one as an errata, but other than an acknowledgment that they received my report, I heard nothing. I have an AS degree in IT Security and have studied for a few years to pass the Security+ on my second try. I am disappointed in this book, since I like the author and in the past always got so much out of Sybex books. Maybe being bought by Wiley has hurt the Sybex quality. I am sorry that I do not have anything to recommend in its stead.

I think the title says it all. I did not use any other material. I only used this book. The test was extremely easy. If you don't pass this exam on the first try, (especially if you are in the security field), you should consider a different career. If you study, you will pass the exam. Here's a study tip - download the exam objectives from the CompTIA site and concentrate on what's on that list. Take the quizzes and all tests, a couple of times at least, that are on the CD, and the practice test on the CompTIA site. When taking the exam, there are key words in each question that relate to the answer, so read the questions carefully. Most of the questions are fairly straight-forward with one definite answer. And the test is pretty easy, so, if you study, you should feel confident about passing. Good luck!

I recommend this book. It helped me to pass the exam in the mid-800s. It covers the concepts needed to pass the exam. You will have to supplement your studying with a 3rd party question bank like Transcender. The more questions you do, the better.

I found this book to be a helpful resource. I used this book for about 90% of my studying and the other 10% from Flash Card Certified and the combination of the two helped me pass. I would buy this book again and recommend it to others.