Imagine this: you're a tech enthusiast who's just passed the Security Plus exam. You're filled with immense pride, but also a newfound understanding of the importance of failure and taking training seriously. We explore this in depth with Tim Bertino, a fellow tech enthusiast who shares his candid insights and experiences. A.J. also talks about his first USNUA meeting and the local NUG network user group he formed — a testament to the power and value of community in the tech world. We then shift gears and delve into the world of exam security as we welcome Brent Morris, the Program Manager for Cisco's certification, security, investigations, and enforcement. He shares the critical role exam security plays in safeguarding customer investments and maintaining the integrity of Cisco's certification program. From discussing potential cheating methods to the severe consequences of violations, Brent gives us a riveting look at the complexities and challenges in maintaining exam security. Finally, we unpack the nitty-gritty of Cisco's approach to combat cheating. Brent discusses the development of valid exam questions and the intricate collaboration between Cisco and its testing vendor, PearsonVue. He talks about the complexities of mobile CCIE labs, expert-level exams, and the constant challenge of cheating. By the end of this episode, you'll understand the lengths Cisco goes to preserve the integrity of their certification exams and gain a deeper appreciation for the value of genuine knowledge and skill in the tech industry. Contact Cisco Exam Security for questions or to report a violation: [email protected] Follow Cisco Exam Security on Twitter: @CiscoExamSec A big thank you to our sponsor: Unimus! Interested in a device agnostic NCM software to streamline and automation configuration management for your entire network? Check out Unimus! https://unimus.net/ We are now on TikTok! - https://www.tiktok.com/@artofneteng Cables2Clouds! https://www.cables2clouds.com Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/artofneteng​ Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/artofneteng/ ​Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/artofneteng Join the group on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/artofneteng/ Check out our website https://artofnetworkengineering.com​ Merch Store – https://artofneteng.com/store Join the Discord Study group – https://artofneteng.com/iaatj