Security Basics mailing list archives
RE: Value of certifications
From: "David Harley" <david.a.harley () gmail com>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 11:14:00 +0100
It's a matter of expectation, I guess. * If you claim a certification you no longer have, that's dishonest, no question. (I doubt if that's a controversial position.) If your prospective employer doesn't check your credentials, though, they have to accept some of the responsibility. * However, if you make it clear that the cert has expired, then it says something about your ability to recertify if necessary, and thus about your knowledge of the field. OTOH, if you're still working in that field but haven't recertified, the employer may doubt your dedication and commitment. That may not always be fair but it's a risk you accept, or not. You do have a responsibility not to mislead the employer into thinking you're fully current (of course you may be: a cert is rarely the only way to stay current with a field in which you're already competent), but they have a responsibility to assess that, too. * I quite like the (ISC)2 approach too, and I'm glad we can agree on that. (Basically, you either earn credits for proving continued professional development, or you retake the exam after three years IIRC.) You get credits for stuff like attending courses and seminars, published writing in the field, and so on, so it's quite flexible, but (ISC)2 have the right to validate your CPE credits. However, there are certainly times where re-examination is a Good Thing. I wouldn't want to present myself as a potential paramedic because I passed a first aid exam in the 70s, for instance. :)
I do like your quote that "qualifications are the beginning."
Me too. I've always said certs are not a substitute for experience. -- David Harley CISSP, Small Blue-Green World Security Author/Editor/Consultant/Researcher AVIEN Guide to Malware: http://www.smallblue-greenworld.co.uk/pages/avienguide.html Security Bibliography: http://www.smallblue-greenworld.co.uk/pages/bibliography.html
Current thread:
- RE: RE: Value of certifications David Harley (May 01)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: RE: RE: Value of certifications nomail (May 01)
- RE: Value of certifications Simmons, James (May 01)
- RE: RE: Value of certifications David Harley (May 02)
- RE: Value of certifications Jones, David H (May 02)
- Re: Value of certifications Hari Sekhon (May 16)
- RE: Value of certifications Devin Rambo (May 16)
- RE: Value of certifications Simmons, James (May 16)
- Message not available
- Fwd: Value of certifications kevin fielder (May 17)
- RE: Value of certifications David Harley (May 17)
- RE: Value of certifications Craig Wright (May 17)
- RE: Value of certifications Erin Carroll (May 18)