I am proud to announce as of October 13, 2017 I have successfully meet the requirements to become CCNA Security Certified. This is a great accomplishment for me and this adds another certified under my belt making the total number of certifications I know hold is 3. This includes, the CCNA R&S, CCNA Security and the CCNP R&S certifications.

The three badges listed below are to validate that I hold those certifications.

CCNA Security

CCNA R/S

CCNP R&S

I am impressed with the time it has taken me to start this certification track to the time I have completed. I started learning the CCNA security after I have become CCNP R&S certified. The journey started in may when I became settled into my new Job and new house in Charlotte, North Carolina. The first thing I did was I purchased the study material and began the small journey. Then I followed the exam blueprint and took notes in my notebook. After comparing those notes, I watched video training series on the material. Once I was satisfied with the notes I have taken; I then copied those notes from my notebook into word to reinforce those notes.

Labs were also the key to retaining this material. I bought a used cisco ASA 5510 and integrated it with my EVE Lab environment. Creating labs and integrating the labs with the situations I encounter at work helped. I can safely say I can integrate IPSEC VPNS from Router to Router and ASA to Router.  Clientless SSL VPNs and the way the ASA handles Nat are essential to the exam track. Come to think of it, I think I must of made over several dozen labs and performed them multiple times.

While I was studying, I was enrolled in a 5 day ASA LAB boot camp at work. In the boot came I learned further ASA Related topics which I am grateful for. This is because, It allowed me to access software and systems I don’t have access in my home lab. So I give a kudos to my employer for that awesome opportunity.

At this time I am going to rest for a while. My next challenge will be the CCDA certification and I don’t have any plan of action yet for it. However, one I formulate my plan, I will issue my goals and set forth on that journey towards the certification.