I just wanted to do a book review, because I don't see any book reviews on any CBROPS 200-201 study material. Just going to write down its strengths and weaknesses. Full disclosure, I read this ebook at O'Reilly's website and it was not ready to be published. It was a "rough cut", meaning it was not ready to be published

But first, let me tell you where you can purchase or read Omar Santos' Cisco CyberOps Associate CBROPS 200-201 Official Cert Guide (isbn 9780136807834) and how this book can help you with the 200-201 exam.

You can purchase this book at CiscoPress and it's a bit more expensive than buying it at Amazon. However, there is always a coupon that is like 10%-35% off when purchasing something from this store. Just go to Bing (hey, I'm supporting the little guy, so no Google for me) and search "Cisco Press coupon" and you will encounter a bunch of websites for a discount code. This month was UPDATE and sometimes you will find the code SCHOLARSHIP from previous months. Good deal if you can purchase this book under $35

Want to go cheaper or want to read on your Kindle device? Well, there is Amazon, but I don't believe you will get any discount codes or use the practice test software. However, its like under $30 right now.

Safari Books Online (O'Reilly) has tons of eBooks and if your library (either public, college, or university) has a contract with them, then you can read it for free. I choose this route, because I'm cheap. If you are planning to read this eBook, then you will see some images in color. Also, you can copy or open some links more quickly than reading the hard copy. I will let you in a secret, I just printed the chapters. ;P

So how was the book? It's good, only 15 chapters and easy to read. The 15 chapters topics are:

1. Cybersecurity Fundamentals
2. Introduction to Cloud Computing and Cloud Security
3. Access Control Models
4. Types of Attacks and Vulnerabilities
5. Fundamentals of Cryptography and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
6. Introduction to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
7. Introduction to Security Operations Management
8. Fundamentals of Intrusion Analysis
9. Introduction to Digital Forensics
10. Network Infrastructure Device Telemetry and Analysis
11. Endpoint Telemetry and Analysis
12. Challenges in the Security Operations Center (SOC)
13. The Art of Data and Event Analysis
14. Classifying Intrusion Events into Categories
15. Introduction to Threat Hunting

There is a 16th chapter, but I did not count it as that chapter is how to prepare for the exam.

Every chapter has sections and diagrams. The first section of each chapter had a "Do I know this already?" quiz where you are quizzed with the material for that chapter. If you do great, then you can skip the chapter or skim the subjects that you are comfortable with. At the end of each chapter, there are other review questions and it is harder. The quiz is easy, because it's multiple choice. The review questions were set up like interview questions. Of course, the answers can be found in the appendix at the end of the book.

Also, there are key terms that you can read at the end of the book. Just a typical book that helps you get your CBROPS cert.

Now you are wondering if this book is the only thing you need for you to pass the Cisco 200-201 exam and the answer is no.

The problem with this book or any other cert books is the lack of an instructor, videos, labs, or mock exams. This book offers some mock exam questions and flash cards, but it is offered in the hard copy of the book and you must provide the code in order to use the software. To add another weakness, this book does not offer any labs for you to practice. It does, however, links to web sites for more information.

Although the 200-201 exam does not have any lab questions, I believe that if people are serious about security monitoring and network intrusion analysis, then using real software or a lab is a must. If you want watch some educational videos, then I recommend ITproTV and using promo code MADNESS (for alimited time) and take a break from reading.

This is a good book, too bad this is the only book that will help you pass the Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate exam.

Anyway, I just wanted to do a mini book review and who knows, maybe I will write another review in the near future.

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