CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition (Exam SY0-201) [Hardcover]

Gregory White (Author), Wm. Arthur Conklin (Author), Dwayne Williams (Author), Roger Davis (Author), Chuck Cothren (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071601279 | ISBN-13: 978-0071601276 | Publication Date: December 19, 2008 | Edition: 2

A CompTIA Security+ Exam Guide and An On-the-Job Reference--All-in-One

Get complete coverage of all the material included on the CompTIA Security+ exam inside this fully up-to-date, comprehensive resource. Written by network security experts, this authoritative exam guide features learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter, exam tips, practice questions, and in-depth explanations. Designed to help you pass the CompTIA Security+ exam with ease, this definitive volume also serves as an essential on-the-job reference. Get full details on all exam topics, including how to:

• Combat viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, logic bombs, and worms
• Defend against DDoS, spoofing, replay, TCP/IP hijacking, and other attacks
• Apply best practices for access control methods
• Implement authentication using Kerberos, CHAP, biometrics, and other methods
• Use cryptography and PKI
• Secure remote access, wireless, and virtual private networks (VPNs)
• Harden networks, operating systems, and applications
• Manage incident response and follow forensic procedures

The CD-ROM features

• One full practice exam
• Complete electronic book

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Greg White is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is the author of the first edition of this book.

Wm. Arthur Conklin, CompTIA Security+, is an Assistant Professor in the Information and Logistics Technology department at the University of Houston.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 2 edition (December 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071601279
• ISBN-13: 978-0071601276
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Computers & Technology > Hardware > Maintenance, Repair & Upgrading

More About the Author

Wm. Arthur Conklin is an Assistant Professor in the Information and Logistics Technology department of the College of Technology at the University of Houston. He received his Ph.D. in Business Administration, from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), with specialization in Information Systems. He holds Security+, CISSP, CSSLP, CRISC, CSDP, DFCP, IAM and IEM certifications. Currently a founding member and Director of the Center for Information Security Research and Education (CISRE) at the University of Houston, Dr. Conklin has previously served as the Technical Director for the Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) at The University of Texas at San Antonio. His research interests include the use of systems theory to explore information security, specifically in Cyber Physical Systems (CPS), and the measurement of security through regulation and metrics. He has an extensive background in secure coding and is a member of DHS Software Assurance Forum working group for workforce education and development. A frequent speaker on information security, he has authored numerous academic publications on security and is a co-author on six books on information security.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides everything needed for the right candidate, March 17, 2009

By 

Tom Carpenter "- www.sysedco.com" (Marysville, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition (Exam SY0-201) (Hardcover)

According to CompTIA's website, while not a prerequisite, they recommend that an individual sitting the Security+ exam have "at least two years of on-the-job technical networking experience, with an emphasis on security." They further recommend having the Network+ certification. My review of this book is based on an assumption that the individual using this book either meets these recommendations or, through some other means, has equivalent knowledge and experience.

As the author of an eLearning program that helps prepare people for the Security+ exam, I have considered the Security+ 2008 objectives more than most. This book covers everything you need to know to pass the Security+ exam - assuming you have the fundamentals of networking down. As an example, on page 15 (very early in the book) the authors assume you know what a port is when they say, "A network administrator can, for instance, move a service from its default port to a different port..." There is no explanation as to what a "port" is and, according to CompTIA's recommendations, there need not be.

I've given this as a simple example, but the book is filled with assumptions. It's probably a good thing. The book is nearly 700 pages now; imagine how large it would be if all of the knowledge were provided in this single resource. If you don't meet the recommendations that CompTIA suggests, I would encourage you to get this book along with your choice of a Network+ study guide. Then, even if you don't wish to acquire the Network+ certification, you will have the knowledge you need for the assumed information in this book.

I particularly liked the organization of this book. Part I deals with the theory of security (principles, organizational requirements, legal issues, etc.) and provides a foundation for the rest of the book. Part II deals with confidentiality in quite a bit more depth than is required by the Security+ exam. The coverage is closer to that needed for the CISSP exam. The next two parts, Security in the Infrastructure and Security in Transmission address the security needs for network access, data access and data transfer. The final part, excluding the Appendices, is Part V; here, issues related to operational and administrative security are addressed.

Overall, the information is presented in a sequence that makes it both digestible and memorable. I have to say that, in my opinion, this is the best Security+ book to come along yet.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent book, but not enough by itself, March 12, 2009

By 

R.S. "R.S." (Kapolei, Hawaii USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition (Exam SY0-201) (Hardcover)

Just passed the Security + 2008 exam with an 830. Used the book, plus Transcender and TestKing (2007 version) to prepare. I also used selective chapters from the Shon Harris CISSP book. Have to admit the test was a little harder than I anticipated. If you are a novice to Networks and System Administration, I highly recommend reading the CISSP book. It covers all the material, plus more. This book was a good book, but not enough by itself to adequately prepare for the 2008 Security + exam.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Review Guide for Studying for the Exam!, October 4, 2009

By 

Deborah Mahler "spiritbeing" (Algonquin, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CompTIA Security+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition (Exam SY0-201) (Hardcover)

This is a great study guide for reviewing before taking the CompTIA Security+ exam.

I say a review because it assumes you know certain things first. For example, it assumes you know about networking, computers, and security in general. This book is not for the novice who doesn't know anything about PC security or networking and hopes to pass the exam.

The tips about what you should pay exact attention to are very valuable. There was a discussion early on in the book about security basics that I was just breezing through and the tip suggested that I could expect questions on the test regarding this because it was fundamental to security. Because I thought that was a "given" I didn't expect that there would be questions on the test about it. So the tips are very helpful.

In general, the book is a good study guide and review source for what you already know. The CD with the test review on it was also helpful. I shared it with someone who had actually tested and didn't pass and he said he wished he'd had that to study with before he took the test!

Highly recommended!

Debbie Mahler