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You're reading from  Cybersecurity Architect's Handbook

Product typeBook
Published inMar 2024
PublisherPackt
ISBN-139781803235844
Edition1st Edition
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Author (1)
Lester Nichols
Lester Nichols
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Lester Nichols

Lester E. Nichols III currently resides in North Texas and is the Director Security Architecture/VP Cybersecurity Operations at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Previous experience includes the Director of IT Infrastructure and Security for a development company, SOC oversight manager/Senior Infrastructure Officer within DHS and previous experience in Local/Federal/DoD/financial sectors. Lester has post graduate education with a Master's of Science Degree in Information Assurance from Norwich University, the oldest private military school in the United States, and multiple industry certifications including CISSP and SANS certs, as well as others. Lester is also a contributing author to the Computer Security Handbook 5th-6th Editions by Wiley Press.
Read more about Lester Nichols

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Why get certified?

As you can see from the previous section, the certification landscape can be daunting, and the list of certifications referenced and highlighted only scratches the surface of what is potentially an option. As a hiring manager for several companies and agencies, while I have hired personnel with certifications, there have been times that I chose someone without. At times, it was experience or capabilities that trumped the certifications.

Certifications can provide valuable benefits but should not be the sole focus for cybersecurity architects and aspiring professionals. Here are some key points on the merits and limitations of certifications.

The benefits of certifications are as follows:

  • Validation of knowledge: Certifications test and validate comprehension of key concepts, tools, and best practices. They provide foreknowledge, as Sun Tzu emphasized.
  • Career advancement: Certifications can improve prospects for promotions, leadership roles, and...
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Cybersecurity Architect's Handbook
Published in: Mar 2024Publisher: PacktISBN-13: 9781803235844

Author (1)

author image
Lester Nichols

Lester E. Nichols III currently resides in North Texas and is the Director Security Architecture/VP Cybersecurity Operations at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Previous experience includes the Director of IT Infrastructure and Security for a development company, SOC oversight manager/Senior Infrastructure Officer within DHS and previous experience in Local/Federal/DoD/financial sectors. Lester has post graduate education with a Master's of Science Degree in Information Assurance from Norwich University, the oldest private military school in the United States, and multiple industry certifications including CISSP and SANS certs, as well as others. Lester is also a contributing author to the Computer Security Handbook 5th-6th Editions by Wiley Press.
Read more about Lester Nichols