Sybex CompTIA CySA+ Practice Tests: Exam CS0–002

Very good practice tests if you read the guide first.

I've been a data developer for the past 25 years. I cut my teeth on UNIX Sparc systems writing C code in the 80's/90's, so I have some background at least. I left college a little early where I really didn't get too much into networking but I've assembled and configured a few PCs both client and server and messed with Hyper-V aimed at hybrid cloud. My programming adventures got derailed in the early 2000's with the clients in their VB craze which grew my dispassion for that 'language'. I loved C/C++ but always hated Java.. although I've been brought on in the past to do just that. So, into enterprise data development which led to warehousing. BI and such. But with a passion for DoD work I tried to 'keep a clean nose, watch the plainclothes'. Being a person with little patience, itchy fingers and a wandering/inquisitive mind of a rock'n'roll songwriter I felt it was in my best interest to keep my eyes on the data (sure, why not? Perfect personality type to keep eyes on the home jewels right??). Well, with growing data experience, ancient understanding of object oriented technology, lack of patience and the woeful attitude that client and consulting firms alike apply to their data I found myself in and out of a number of positions. This led to a position where, with help from the buddy-buddy attitude rampant within DoD, I found myself working under a data architect with zero hands-on experience in data and a tech lead whose background came from 5 years on the help desk. They decided I was the lead on the face of immediate DoD management on a very high profile project while Montgomery headquarters wanted to keep me under a blanket and out of meetings consisting of a plethora of team leads. During which period the 'architect' openly continued to make technical decisions related to data merge, warehousing and BI reporting app choices in Azure that were simply embarrassing. (This bit being for independent type of individuals who may be thinking of working for DoD.. this isn't an isolated case). Meanwhile, the only person I was working directly with was remote. I didn't have Sec+ at the time so I worked on metadata profiling, taxonomy/ontology and such while trying to guide the remote individual (who had the Sec+ and was the sole individual I had work related communication with on a regular basis) on how to merge huge disparate data sets from multiple apps into a common db without losing existing functionality. Repeated requests to allow me to work remote as well and away from distractions went unanswered. Then came time for a skin graph to remove a sun spot along with a doctor's request that I work remote for several weeks. That brought on my 'release' with lack of Sec+ listed as reason. This was directly on the heels of the Covid panademic and the age of Socialism in the US. Finally, for the meat of this, I went straight for the Sec+ cert bypassing Net+ and A+. Thinking I was well prepared, the first exam was definitely an eye opener. At $350+ a pop out of pocket each exam I began investing in a library of CompTIA exam guides (All-In-One including online prep). I believe I have all the technical guides except A+ (but including CASP+ and CCISP) and a number of practice exam books.. yet I will say, I have yet to see anything like this book. It's loaded with hi-level graphs, computer responses that have to be analyzed, trick questions and much more. Many of the answers seem debatable, and at least one answer was mislabeled by the books own account (not unusual, have seen much worse). It got me to load Kali in two modes, Windows subsystem and dual-boot mode which I will continue to work with. It's much heavier on Linux than Powershell but it does touch on Powershell. Many leads to open source are also included.. I mean, the book really forces a person to stretch their mind. My four rating comes before taking the test. Post test, that score may be increased or decreased. If the depth this book forces one to go is inline with the cert then this book could be a 5. If it turns out that the material is overstated then the rating could go lower with note, in any case, that the book remains very valuable as reference material. If the book is inline with the test then it is, for sure, one hell of a test. Not one designed for newbies or people with limited network experience.

Out of all of the study materials/practice tests I got for the CySA+ exam, this material most closely resembled what I saw on the exam. Highly recommend, especially using the digital version on Wiley Efficient Learning.