CWSP Certified Wireless Security Professional Official Study Guide: Exam PWO-200

I bought this book because I thought it was well laid out. I am not likely going to take the test. I believe that it will be a great reference book. My boss is very wireless phobic. This book helped me explain the security and the technologies around WLANs so I could move forward with wireless. I am in a heavy industrial environment where running wires is extremely costly. Since security is a big issue I needed this book to help me understand the differences between wireless IDS and wireless protocol analysis. The chapter on this was very good and clear. Other great parts in this book are how it clarifies WPA1 and WPA2 coverage. It explains 802.11i very well. I have to say the possibilities of hackers and exploits are frightening. I am impressed how the authors cover these vulnerabilities and exploits and explain how to protect your WLAN. The book raises confidence for sure. I like how they explain using Layer 3 security (IPSEC) vs. WPA over wireless is much less attractive. This really is a very useful book. One last thing, I am positive this book will help with my SOX audit.

I am currently pushing forward in the Security Arean and getting a grasp at a deep technical level of the challenges faced by Security Professionals. With this in mind it would be a mistake not to take a look at wireless and understand the ramifications for implementing it in an organization. Even for a home user a fundamental understanding of WEP verus WPA versus WPA2 is recommended and to understand the ramifications for buying a wireless client that only supports WEP or even no security mechanism at all. With all the above said, I wanted to study for CWSP and purchased the study guide and learn at a deep technical level wireless security issues. I think its unfair to only label this book a study guide - I have passed the exam and will reference this book many times as I progress in my career. I have other certifications and generally end up throwing the study guides away because they were so focussed on getting me through an exam versus teaching me the entire subject matter arena they are of little use to me afterwards unless I require a door wedge. I strongly recommend this book not only to those studying for CWSP, or even evaluating whether they want to put the time into passing the exam and see the material they need to digest, but also to those people in the field challenged with supporting wireless infrastructures. I also recommend the book to home users that might be concerned about the possibilities of sharing their Cable Modem or DSL connections with unathorized neighbors or war drivers because they want to buy a wireless router to have the freedom in their homes to use their internet connection anywhere. The book compliments the certification in quality and accuracy. David Breslin CWNA, CWSP, MCSD, MCAD, MCDBA, MCSA, CHP, CHSS, CEH, Linux+, MOS Master