CompTIA Security+ Study Guide Authorized Courseware: Exam SY0-301 5th Edition

Absolutely the best study guide books out there. Sybex/Wiley offers a thorough and comprehensive material guide. If you want a quick exam cramming information sheet, this isn't for you. This Security+ book walked me through each of the concepts using charts and information in a way that makes sense. It's a great way to learn and retain the information because you understand it in a deeper way, rather than just memorizing facts and not knowing how they are applied.I will always buy this brand of books when studying for my future exams. I know some people are able to memorize the information, but for me I need that more in-depth learning material to understand it.IMPORTANT: The SY0-301 exam is now outdated as of January 2015, so be sure to get the newest material for the SY0-401 exam. It has different objectives covered. I would definitely recommend the Sybex/Wiley brand.

This book is really beneficial is you want to pass the Security+ exam. The chapters are in an order that builds upon the last so you're always learning new things while progressing your knowledge of what you learned in the previous chapter.As is the case with most of these certification books, I feel like there could have been more accurate and detailed sample questions. The difference between the questions in this book and on the actual exam differ quite a bit. For example, the exam will present a very specific scenario instead of asking general questions like the book. I can't complain too much because, in the end, the book helped me achieve my certification.

Gained a lot of knowledge and passed the exam!

A well organized book that addresses all the objectives necessary to pass the newest Security+ exam and then some. In fourteen chapters, it walks through every objective and what you need to know in order to understand the foundational basics. It then includes an additional, fifteenth chapter, that covers what you need to know in the real world after you have passed the exam.There are many, many questions (in the introduction, at the end of each chapter, and on the CD); you keep getting hammered on the essentials time and time again until you know them well enough to take the real CompTIA exam.I especially like the fact that Cryptography is addressed in two chapters (instead of just one) since this topic can be tricky.

I spent several months reading and reviewing the book and the included CD. I got to a point where I could easily get all of the chapter test questions correct and I knew all of the answers for the flashcards on the CD. I still though was not prepared for the exam despite the fact that I have a background including several years as an MCSE with computer security as a job requirement. I ended up having to get the Transcender Security+ Practice Exam/Flashcard kit and spent several weeks mastering that too and passing the Security+ exam on the first attempt.The book is pretty well written, but there are several errors in the material, which caused some confusion requiring me to investigate what what I suspected was erroneous.I recommend the book, but not as an only source for aquiring the knowledge needed for the exam. The Transcender material had some additional information not mentioned in the book which was helpful during the exam.

This was the only book I used (with included software) to obtain my Sec+ cert. I got certified on the first pass, so this book obviously taught me everything I needed to know without having to add anything else to the curriculum. I can't say wether it's the best out there or not, but it worked great for me. The writing style was slightly too formal for me and felt a little drab at times, but it did the job. Good luck on your studies!

Found out I had to take this cert about 24hrs before the exam. I bought this book, crammed and passed the exam no problem! I bought the Kindle version so the CD was sadly unavailable but the book does a great job of covering all of the exam topics minus the Simulators.

This book is really nice as far as content and depth is concerned.This book contrary to many of the other book on Security+ does not produce dumb Security+ certified people.If you wish to LEARN and not only barely pass the exam then this book is one you must add to your library.Best regardsClement Dupuis, CDThe CCCure Family of Portals