CASP: CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner Study Guide (Exam CAS-002) 2nd Edition

I picked this up just looking to see what the latest "trivia" definitions are in the market. You know what I mean... Exam certs are basically half legit "here's a concept" and half trivia of the form: "which arbitrary expansion of this acronym is correct: RFI - Radio Frequency Interference or RFI - Request For Information". These exams require about an 80% to pass, so even if you get 100% of the concepts correct, you still need a 60% pass on the "What have I got in my pocket?" riddles. Who cares what color the 3.3V rail on an ATX power supply is? You hit google to look that up if you need to (orange btw) and you don't need to because you don't fix a $2 component in a $1000 system, you swap the whole assembly - or rather more junior guy does that.Not as dry as the others. Some nice stuff in the lab section only 85% fluff vs the usual 95-99% usually found in these things.The content is of course pretty dry, but not nearly as mind numbingly dry as many other training guides in the field (the McGraw Hill Tan covers in particular). The chapter outlines are a little excessive, but if you are actually using this to learn vs refresh the research does suggest reading outlines first to prime the pump, as it were, so have at it.

GOOD BOOK! Easy to read and good for the exam. Buying through Amazon is way cheaper than retail. The author is very thorough in the material and with the book, you should have no problem passing the Certification Exam. Book was shipped in sturdy box; no damage. Amazon Prime is the way to go for free 2-day shipping! I believe there is even a Digital Kindle edition for this book, however, I like to manhandle my learning material and throw it across the room every once it a while. It is an easy read.

Let me start by addressing these "it didn't prepare me for the exam" complaints. CompTIA recommends that CASP candidates have 10 years experience in IT administration, including at least 5 years of hands-on technical security experience. Most of this material should be second nature before you contemplate taking the exam. This book is a study guide; it's not intended to replace the recommended years of experience.Personally, I enjoyed using this study guide. It's an easy read, unlike many (if not most) study guides I've read. The author includes links to other sources for more in-depth coverage. He also recommends that candidates make use of simulators to prepare for the performance-based questions that make up the majority of the exam. There are a few subjects that I feel could have used more coverage. Also, he frequently introduces acronyms without a prior definition, which left me searching through the material I just read trying to find the meaning (minus 1 star).I used the book along with a video course and a network simulator to prepare. I was studying for several other CompTIA certifications at the same time, plus I reviewed my Net+ and Security+, which helped a lot.

Having read this and then taking practice tests, I am lead to believe that this book did not help me much at all in preparing for the CASP exam. At first it seems great that this book is easy to read but it seriously lacks the depth for anyone trying to learn as they are reading. I am aware that the candidate should have 10 years of experience including 5 years of security hands on, but lets get real, we are all trying to get ahead here and this book doesn't do the job. If you are already supposed to know everything before studying then why study?Update: Failed the exam. This book didn't even cover many topics and did not deliver the depth needed. I have started reading the one by Robin Abernathy and so far it covers the material much better and looks like it covers all of the information needed.

If you want to get your CCNA, this is the book to do it with. This, coupled with an internship, got me from bartending to certified in 6 weeks of extremely hard work. Excellent tools for the CCNA.

I have to say I used the previous books by the same Company for the Network + and Security + both passed with flying colors not the CASP. This study guide is junk I don't even think the Author is a CASP to begin with. NONE not ONE SINGLE question in this review guide provided any kind of help. After taking and failing the CASP first time I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK, this test they say is also suppose to NOT BE VENDOR specific that is a lie. You MUST know CISCO and LINUX to be able to pass this test. This book states over and over you do not need to be a programmer to past the CASP I can agree, but you MUST BE ABLE to understand code SQL, XML, C/C+. My first question on this CASP was How to harden a Linux machine disable not used services. I know some Linux I am not a guru by any means but even with what I know, it did NOT help at all. The first 10 questions on my CASP were all Simulation question NOT ONE SINGLE SIMULATION QUESTION IS PRESENTED WITH THIS GUIDE. This guide cost me $500 for the book and cost of Cert. Which I FAILED because this study guide is JUNK I will not be buying anything from this company or Author ever again. I would give this Study Guide a big fat 0 if I could.....

This is a great resource for any cyber professional, whether preparing for CompTIA CASP certification or just as a desk reference. The author does a supurb job in presenting the material, and is both thorough and practical.

For everything else you didn't yet learn from S+ or on the job. THIS IS the cert to study for and pass. Perhaps it preps you for a path to CISSP.