Is the Linux Professional Institute Security Essentials (020-100) Worth It?
Cybersecurity threats aren't going anywhere, and organizations are always looking for IT professionals who understand the fundamentals of Linux security. The LPI Security Essentials certification is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to enter cybersecurity with a Linux focus. Getting certified shows you have the basic skills and knowledge needed to handle security in Linux environments.
This certification is particularly valuable because Linux powers just about everything, from web servers to cloud infrastructure. Understanding how to secure these systems is an essential skill for IT pros.
The LPI Security Essentials certification is helpful because it focuses on practical security skills rather than theory. It teaches you how to implement real security measures and how to understand access controls. It also covers topics like user authentication and basic threat mitigation, which are skills you can use from day one on the job.
What is the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Security Essentials (020-100) Certification?
LPI Security Essentials certification was created by the Linux Professional Institute, which has existed since 1999. The LPI is a non-profit organization that focuses on delivering vendor-neutral Linux training with practical applications on the job.
The Security Essentials (020-100) certification is an entry-level security credential, but it teaches valuable practical security knowledge. Here's what you'll learn while prepping for the 020-100 exam:
Core Security Skills
How system access and authentication mechanisms work
Implementing network security principles
Basic cryptography concepts
Fundamental security administration
Threat assessment and monitoring
Real-World Applications
How to configure secure shell (SSH) services
Managing system access controls
Basic intrusion detection
Secure password policies
How to perform security audits
We’ve mentioned it a few times already, but it's worth repeating: this certification teaches real skills. For example, you'll learn how to secure a Linux server against common attacks, making your next server build less of a liability on your network.
Some other security certifications can get bogged down in theory, but the 020-100 exam will teach you how to actually implement security measures instead of just telling you about them. If you want to get your start in Linux security, this certification is an excellent foundation. It will also help you get ready for more advanced certifications further down the line.
What are the Benefits of the LPI Security Essentials (020-100) Certification?
If you want to work with cloud infrastructure, Linux upskilling is a great investment in yourself. The majority of online platforms that deal with provisioning virtual servers and applications run on one flavor of Linux or another.
Think of companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), to name a few. While the cert doesn’t cover specifics about these platforms, understanding Linux basics will help you adapt to working with them much faster.
Some of the skills you’ll pick up from this cert are:
Practical implementation of security controls in Linux environments
Real-world threat detection and mitigation techniques
Linux-based security hardening practices
User authentication and access management
Network security fundamentals
Career Advancement Opportunities
With this certification under your belt, you have some career-moving potential:
Junior Linux System Administrator roles
Entry-level Security Analyst positions
NOC Technician opportunities
Junior DevSecOps positions
Organizations are specifically looking for people with skills who understand Linux security essentials, making this a great first step toward your career goals.
Foundation for Advanced Certifications
Getting to grips with the basics will set you up for more advanced certifications like:
What makes this certification valuable is that it is vendor-neutral. This means that you will be learning principles that apply across different types of Linux operating systems. Versatility makes you more valuable to employers and gives you more flexibility in your career choices if you are able to navigate different Linux OS builds.
What Content Can I Expect? How is the Exam Structured?
If you're preparing for the LPI Security Essentials exam, you'll want to know exactly what you're getting into. Here is a basic guide to the exam structure and content so you can prepare yourself.
Exam Content Breakdown
The exam tests you in these areas:
System and Network Security (35% of exam)
Securing the network
Firewalls and firewall rules
Managing system security updates
Setting up intrusion detection systems
Access Control and Authentication (30% of exam)
User account management
Acceptable password policies
Configuring SSH access
Managing file access and permissions
Security Operations and Cryptography (35% of exam)
Basic encryption concepts
Security monitoring and logging
Backup and recovery procedures
Security auditing fundamentals
Exam Format and Questions
The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 60 minutes. It is available in Japanese and English, and the certification does not expire, which is great if you don’t enjoy recertification.
Study Resources and Preparation Tips
Want to ace this exam? Here's some good starting points:
Official LPI exam objectives (available free on LPI's website)
Practice labs for hands-on experience
Practical Preparation Tips
Learning by doing is powerful. Set up a Linux test environment for your own hands-on practice. Focus on command-line security tools and their parameters to really get a feel for how they work. Once you have enough practice, you can start implementing security measures on different setups.
Virtual machines, or an old laptop or PC, are great for this. While forums aren’t as big as they used to be, consider joining Linux security forums or following experts on social media who share useful information or LPI itself.
Practice exams are another great resource once you feel like you have nailed all the learning objectives for this exam. Try to get familiar with the question format and time yourself to get a better idea of how fast you are able to get through the questions.
Following all these steps can make a huge difference to your confidence on exam day.
How Does LPI Security Essentials Compare with Other Security Certifications?
With so many choices for certification out there, it's hard to know what to expect from one cert to another. Here are some of the differences that you can expect to find between the LPI Security Essentials and other popular security certs.
Comparison with CompTIA Security+
Security+ Advantages:
Covers general theoretical security concepts
CompTIA certification is widely recognized
Vendor-neutral approach to security
Excellent for general IT security roles where a theoretical background is a plus
LPI Security Essentials Advantages:
Focuses on Linux-specific security measures
More hands-on command line skills
Very specific in terms of scope
Perfect for Linux-focused career paths
Security+ is a cert that covers a lot of ground with some detail but not too much on specific items. LPI Security Essentials drills deep into Linux security specifics. Security+ helps build your knowledge as a security generalist, while LPI shows that you have Linux-specialized security skills.
Comparison with CISSP
This isn’t really a fair comparison, but it will show you where the LPI Security Essentials cert stands in the IT security certification hierarchy. CISSP is highly specialized and aimed at advanced security professionals, while the LIP Security essentials is more of a stepping stone into security. They're designed for different stages of your career but will show you where you could potentially be headed in your own journey.
Comparison of CISSP and LPI Security Essentials
Feature | CISSP | LPI Security Essentials |
Certification Level | Advanced management-level certification | Entry-level certification aimed at beginners |
Experience Required | Requires 5 years of professional security experience | No prior experience is required, although Linux experience is helpful |
Focus | Covers high-level security program management, including governance, risk management, and compliance | Concentrates on practical aspects of Linux-based basic security |
Salary Potential | High salary potential because of its advanced subject matter and demand in the industry | Entry level salaries |
Target Audience | Specialized security professionals | Anyone who needs foundational knowledge in IT security |
Cost | Significantly higher exam cost, over $700 | More affordable investment, $80 |
If you're aiming for a Linux-focused information security career, starting with LPI Security Essentials makes sense. You can always add other certifications later as your career progresses and you want to specialize.
That said, LPI Security Essentials offers the best value for those who are specifically interested in Linux security fundamentals and want to get started.
Real-World Applications and Industry Relevance
At this point, you are probably wondering how the LPI Security Essentials certification translates into real-world value. Here are some practical skills that you will learn when prepping for this cert.
System Hardening:
Configuring SSH access for remote management
Enforcing safe and secure passwords
Setting up file system encryption
Managing user access controls effectively
Network Security:
Deploying and configuring firewalls
Monitoring network traffic for unusual activity
Setting up secure VPN connections
Intrusion detection systems
Security Monitoring:
Creating and analyzing system logs
Performing security audits
Backup and recovery procedures
Managing security updates and patches
Where Can You Use this Cert?
This certification is really valuable wherever Linux systems are being used. Some examples are:
Web hosting companies
Cloud service providers
Financial institutions
E-commerce platforms
Government agencies
Educational institutions
Let's look at some jobs where this certification can make a real difference.
Salary estimates are quite variable depending on where you live, as well as your years of work experience and other skills that you may have. The latest salary potential for roles where this certification is helpful are:
Junior Linux System Administrator ($77,395 to $115,076)
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst ($66,867-$120,075)
Junior DevSecOps Engineer ($106,000-$182,000)
Network Security Specialist ($37,000-$115,500)
If you are just starting your career in IT security or adding Linux security skills to your list of capabilities, this certification lets you add real value.
Challenges and Considerations of LPI Security Essentials
Even though the LPI Security Essentials certification is entry-level, you will still need to dedicate time and effort to prepare properly.
Exam Difficulty and Preparation Requirements
Even though this cert is considered a beginner’s starting point for Linux security training, you will still need to put in the work to be ready for the exam.
Study Time Investment:
2-3 months of preparation for beginners
4-6 weeks for those with basic Linux experience
10-15 hours per week of study time
Additional hands-on practice time
Technical Prerequisites:
Basic Linux command line familiarity
Understanding of basic networking concepts
Some exposure to security principles
Access to a Linux system for practice
Cost Considerations: How Much Does the LPI Security Essentials Cost?
Let's talk about money. The direct costs of the exam include:
Exam fee: approximately $200
Study materials: $100-300
Practice tests: $50-100
Lab environment setup (if needed): $0-200
But, there are some less obvious costs worth considering. Hidden costs can include:
Time off work for study
Possible retake fees ($200 per attempt)
Training courses (optional but recommended)
Lab equipment or cloud resources for practice
Potential Limits and Drawbacks of LPI Security Essentials
Studying for any exam is hard work, and the Linux Professional Institute Security Essentials (LPIC-SEC) exam is no exception. If you're considering this certification, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, the LPIC-SEC provides entry-level recognition, which is a great starting point but might not be sufficient for more advanced or specialized roles. Its focus on Linux can also be too narrow if you're aiming for positions that require broader expertise.
Additionally, while the certification is popular within certain circles, it doesn't carry the same level of recognition as more widely known credentials like CompTIA’s Security+. To continue growing in your career, you'll likely need to complement this cert with others and gain hands-on experience.
You should also be aware of industry-specific challenges associated with this certification. For instance, companies that primarily use Red Hat may prefer candidates with Red Hat certifications instead. Similarly, organizations working heavily in cloud environments might favor cloud or vendor-specific security certifications.
Despite these challenges, don’t let these points discourage you. Everyone has to start somewhere, and no single certification will teach you everything. The key is to choose the certification that aligns with your personal career goals and use it as a stepping stone toward greater opportunities.
Should You Pursue The Linux Professional Institute Security Essentials Certification?
Linux security skills are a must-have in information security, especially if you plan on working in enterprise environments. The LPI Security Essentials certification gives you a practical starting point where you can then build these skills, and there are many good reasons why this certification is worth your time and investment.
If you're just getting started in the Linux security field, this is a great starting point. The certification never expires, making it a good stepping stone for those looking to enter the security side of IT.
Are you considering this certification? The CBT Nuggets Linux Professional Institute Security Essentials (020-100) Online Training course is a great place to start.
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