RE: OPST vs CEH

["Don Parker" <dparker () rigelksecurity com>]

Hello Brian, did you actually bother to certify after taking whatever SANS training it 
was that you took? The SANS training is among the best out there, however the challenge 
starts when you do the certification process. This has not only a difficult "practical" 
portion, but also two demanding exams. From what I have seen of the OSTMM and the CEH 
neither one of them measure up. The OSTMM does seem to offer business training as well 
though in addition to the other obvious training. Though I would say that is best left 
to a place which actually specializes in business training such as a college.

Cheers

-------------------------------------------
Don Parker, GCIA
Intrusion Detection Specialist
Rigel Kent Security & Advisory Services Inc
www.rigelksecurity.com
ph :613.249.8340
fax:613.249.8319
--------------------------------------------

On Feb 6 , "Bartholomew, Brian J" <BartholomewBJ () state gov> wrote:

I have taken the CEH but not the OPST.  The CEH is kinda simplistic, and
pretty easy to pass.  I have not taken the OPST, however, I have heard that
it is much more in depth and more difficult to pass.  

I do think the course designed with the CEH exam (I took one through Intense
school) is one of the better courses I have taken (in comparison with
Foundstone, SANS, etc.).  Those "other" courses are too mainstream and none
of them speak of the OSTMM except for the CEH oriented classes.  

To sum it up...If you are looking for letters after your name and a good
base to start with, go for the CEH (it can't hurt).  If you want to take a
more detailed, OSTMM sponsored test, take the OPST.  What the hell, take
both if you really like a challenge :)

Brian J. Bartholomew
Bureau of Diplomatic Security
DS/SI/ACD SA-20 Special Programs
Ph: 571-345-2598
Cell: 202-369-6349
1801 North Lynn St.
Arlington, VA 22201


-----Original Message-----
From: circut () hackthisbox org [mailto:circut () hackthisbox org]
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2004 11:01 AM
To: kenzo
Cc: pen-test () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: OPST vs CEH



I've taken the CEH class. It's pretty good, but it focuses more on hacking
windows then it does linux or unix. The instructor and environment was
good though. They don't really talk too much in depth about buffer
overflows or privledge escalation on linux. But I think the class was
worth it. NEver taken any of those other tests.

                                                -circut

On Wed, 4 Feb 2004, kenzo wrote:

> I'm thinking about taking one of these certs. OPST (OSSTMM PROFESSIONAL
> SECURITY TESTER)
>  or CEH (certified ethical hacker)
> I've read about the two, and they seem to be kind of the same thing.
> I know that some people in here were talking about the opst, but what
about
> the ceh?
> Has anyone taking the CEH or both?
> Please let me know.
>
> thanks.
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