Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great Practice
Comment: I used this book along with books with from Syngress (Security + Study Guide and DVD Training System), McGraw-Hill (Security+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide), and Sybex (CompTIA Security+ Study Guide: Exam SY0-101 (Hardcover))and passed the exam with a score of 780. This book contained 773 practice questions that more close to the actual exam than any other study guide. The bottom line is that the more practice questions you are exposed to, the better off you are going to be.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Mixed opinions
Comment: Firstly, let me state it for anyone who is not familiar with exam cram books, this book is an abridged publication. It will not cut it as a primary learning tool in any respects. This in itself is a weakness, but generally with exam cram books this is expected.
With that in mind, I will try to give a fair rating to this book. I'll break it into two parts 1) Study guide & 2) test booklet
STUDY GUIDE -
A long time ago, I used an exam cram book to help me with the network+ exam. It did the job perfectly. The security+ test, however, is considered a mile wide and an inch deep. This little study guide simply doesn't have enough in it to cover ALL of the material (no book usually does, but the abridged format should've allowed it to), nor does it go enough into detail to sufficiently explain the topics it does cover the information. I know the book is abridged, but the subject matter is abridged to begin with. Instead of a "mile wide and an inch deep", this book is 3/4 of a mile wide and a half inch deep. To me, that doesn't make for a great source for even "cramming". I say this because the test involves actually understanding the materials rather than memorizing facts. I think it comes up short in this respect.
Question Book-
The book full of questions also gave some mixed results. It did a good job of providing unique questions for the entire subject matter of the test. I did not like how it announced what it was specifically asking a question about before it asked it. This happened A LOT. For instance before it started asking questions about "security policy", this is how it read:
4.5.2.1 SECURITY POLICY
Which of the following involves a broad policy set forth by management on how security should be handled?
a) Password policy
b) Security Policy
c) Procedures
d) Guidelines
You know exactly what the answer will be, long before finishing the question. It was even worse when this type of question was the ONLY question for the topic. That doesn't do you any good.
My second gripe was the accuracy of the answers. This was the third set of books I read on the subject, and some answers seemed to clash with what I read in the other books. Some parts did more to confuse me (due to the contradictory nature) than actually help me. Considering the other books I've read were Shon Harris' CISSP book and the security+ book by Greg White, I am going to have to guess that this was the book in error. Now don't get me wrong 90% of it was spot on accurate... so it did a decent job... but 5% was filled with "poor questions" where the questions were ambiguous, poorly worded or had grammar issues that were difficult to work through. An extra 5% were apparently wrong or contradictory to other information.
In conclusion, I'd say the books were moderately helpful in the end, but overall leave a lot to be desired. I would not rely on these books as the primary factor in passing the test. I think as a primary study guide you may want to use Security+ by gregory white, as well as CISSP all in one by Shon Harris (covers more material than needed for this test, but I'd say 80% overlaps with Security+). Whatever one book didn't cover, the other did. They are very accurate and thorough sources of information and are extremely good in helping people understand the material.
ABOUT THE TEST:
While people say that Security+ is an "entry level" security certification, people need to realize this isn't an entry level category. Security+ requires users to have a great deal of experience/knoweledge in the IT field, otherwise you probably will fail. I was very suprised when I started studying for this test. It covers a large spectrum of technology and applications and also goes enough into detail that you have to actually know and understand the technology and procedures involved. I have used this test as a steping stone for the CISSP (there is a LOT of overlapping), and I think it is well worth the effort.
Who needs to take this test? Well I'd reccommend it before taking the MCSE (it gives you credit towards a MCSE/MCSA requirement. It is also a great way to prepare towards a CISSP, the most accepted security certification. Really, it is like a more reasonable form of the CISSP being that it is widely available at testing centers and costs far less to take the test. I think this certification is dragged down because of the "easy" reputation of A+ and Network+, which truly are "entry level" tests. Anyone who wants to show security competence should take this test..
Customer Rating:
Summary: It worked, I passed. I dont know how but I did.
Comment: I dont know if its the subject or the book but this was hard to follow. When I took the CompTIA test it didn't seam like the same material; however, I did pass. (I always do self tests untill I get 90% then take the $250 real test). If your new to IT security look into Cysco's CSIIP test. Its a more highly valued Certification. I didn't take the exam yet but I'm getting the notion from employeers that security+ is not worth the time. (Im entry-level w/ A+, N+, S+)
Customer Rating:
Summary: What You Need to Pass the Test
Comment: This is not a book that is going to make you an expert on Security. Instead it is a book that prepares you to take the test.
The authors have studied the test,
they understand what the test makers consider important,
they have put together just the information that will be on the test,
they have created a series of practice questions which they then answer and explain their answers.
This is, of course, exactly what you need if you are just cramming to pass the exam. Even if you are experienced in computer security, there will be points in areas with which you are not familiar. This set of books makes sure that you cover all points that the test will cover.
This special package includes two books and and a CD. The two books are the book on the test, and a special Practice Questions book. The CD has 700+ questions, which are the same as in the book, so you have a choice in the way you want to study.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A great Buy
Comment: I passed SYO-101 today with 813 points thanks to this book and MOST importantly the 800+ questions on CD included with the Practice Questions Book. It is a great deal and well worth the money if you are considering taking the Security +
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