Passed the R70 CCSA Exam Today

Check Point is requiring some of its SEs to get certified in our products. Crazy idea huh? Anyways, I have passed plenty of Check Point exams in the past, and the one I did today was for R70. Having access to the official training materials is a big plus as there really is not much out there for study guides anymore. Check Point’s website is showing that there is an R71 exam, but I can tell you that there is no R71 test available at VUE (as of this writing).

Is it just me, or does it seem that certifications were a bigger deal back in the late 90s and early 2000s? By saying this, I don’t mean to open up the whole “paper certs are worthless” argument. If you are an employer, and you hire people strictly on certs, without considering the person’s character, experience, and references, then that is your own damn fault.

I remember feeling that getting my MCSE and CCNA/DA was a pretty big deal back then. I know I certainly saw my income increase as a direct result. CISSP seems to be a requirement for most infosec jobs out there now, but it doesn’t seem to be as prestigious as it was ten years ago. Honestly, the only time ISC2 ever contacts me is when they want their $85 annual dues, or to let me know about some random board election. I would have hoped to have seen more for the $700+ I have spent (well my employers have spent) over the years.

I am toying with the idea of leading a CCSA study class. Maybe just two nights of reviewing the topics for the exam. If you are in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area and interested, let me know. I am also considering doing some YouTube videos on the 12 chapters of the CCSA manual. If you have any thoughts on this, send me an email, or leave a post.