Chapter 36
Final Preparation
The first 35 chapters of this book cover the technologies, protocols, design concepts, and considerations required for your preparation for passing the CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 certification exam. These chapters cover the information that is necessary to pass the exam. However, most people need more preparation than simply reading the first 35 chapters of this book. This chapter, along with the Introduction of the book, suggests hands-on activities and a study plan that will help you complete your preparation for the exam.
Hands-on Activities
The CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 certification exam is not a hands-on exam. However, one of the best ways to learn about cybersecurity vulnerabilities, threats, and techniques is to perform some hands-on exercises. You can practice using basic tools like Wireshark, tshark, tcpdump, nmap, and others. A good place to start is with Kali Linux (https://kali.org) to become familiar with some of the most common open-source attack tools and Security Onion (https://securityonion.net) to become familiar with tools related to incident response. You can also set up the learning environment called WebSploit Labs (https://websploit.org) created by Omar Santos.
Tip
Although building your own test lab is beyond the scope of this book, you might want to check out http://h4cker.org/lab. It will guide you through building your own lab and using many of these tools. The most effective way to learn the skills necessary to pass the exam is to build your own lab, break it, and fix it.
Suggested Plan for Final Review and Study
This section lists a suggested study plan from the point at which you finish reading this book through Chapter 35 until you take the CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 certification exam. You can ignore this four-step plan, use it as is, or modify it to better meet your needs:
Step 1. Review key topics: You can use the table at the end of each chapter that lists the key topics in each chapter or just flip the pages looking for key topics.
Step 2. Review testable content: CompTIA maintains a list of testable content known as the CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 certification exam blueprint. Review it and make sure you are familiar with every item that is listed. You can download a copy at https://www.comptia.org/certifications.
Step 3. Study Review Questions” sections: Go through the review questions at the end of each chapter to identify areas in which you need more study.
Step 4. Use the Pearson Test Prep software to practice: The Pearson Test Prep practice test software provides a bank of unique exam-realistic questions available only with this book.
The Introduction of this book contains the detailed instructions on how to access the Pearson Test Prep practice test software. This database of questions was created specifically for this book and is available to you either online or as an offline Windows application. As covered in the Introduction, you can choose to take the exams in one of three modes: Study Mode, Practice Exam Mode, or Flash Card Mode.
Summary
The tools and suggestions listed in this chapter have been designed with one goal in mind: to help you develop the skills required to pass the CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 certification exam and gain the skills needed to start your cybersecurity operations career. This book has been developed from the beginning both to present you with a collection of facts and to help you learn how to apply those facts. Regardless of your experience level before reading this book, it is our hope that the broad range of preparation tools, and even the structure of the book, will help you pass the exam with ease. We wish you success in your exam and hope that our paths cross again as you continue to grow in your cybersecurity career.