CCIE Security Exam Certification Guide, Second Ed.

Reviewer Name: Niloufer Tamboly
Reviewer Certification: CISSP

Rating: **** out of *****

This book is mapped to the new CCIE Security written exam 350-018. First I'll answer the question most frequently asked: "Can this book be the only book for passing the CCIE Security written exam?" NO is the short answer...the long answer follows.

The book contains a “Do I Know This Already” quiz before each chapter begins, and this helps a lot in gauging the amount of work needed for that chapter. The questions and labs following the chapter have a humbling effect just in case we feel we know a lot. The links provide a great place for further studies in the weaker areas and help in conserving time while studying, as otherwise navigating through the Cisco website quickly and not straying off the subject is not an art that I have mastered.

The “NOTE” boxes provide a great deal of information very quickly and are very helpful for revision. The e-book helps me always have the book on my laptop as sometimes I don’t feel like carrying the bulky book with me , but I can continue my preparation whenever I have extra time.

Even though no single book can claim to cover everything that can and will be asked on the CCIE Security written exam, Henry Benjamin makes a sincere effort and I congratulate him on this.

I found a number of typos and errors but none of which affect the content. I assume that a CCIE Security candidate would have enough knowledge to discern a few obvious mistakes in the text. But then one does not accept such mistakes from a Cisco Press Book.

This book is meant for the CCIE Security written exam but contains a lengthy LAB that according to me robs me of the precious pages (112 to be precise) which could have included more information about the written exam.

I find the coverage of Telephony Best Practices and Wireless Best Practices inadequate, six pages in all. But the link provided in the “Note to Wireless Best Practices” is awesome.

The 500 questions provided on the CD-ROM help in identifying the weak areas and improving confidence toward the end.

The author is a triple CCIE and a key member of the CCIE global team and has written questions for the written exam. I feel buying this book is a good investment towards our quest for the coveted CCIE Security certification. When you plan on pursuing this certification, I would suggest starting with this book and then fill the gaps with other books and the Cisco website.

I give this book 4 stars on a scale of 5, 5 being the highest. I strongly recommend this book.