Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Need Advice For Getting Into Network Security Field

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    8

    Need Advice For Getting Into Network Security Field

    Hi guys, I was hoping you guys could give me some advice about getting into the field of network security. First let me give you a little background about myself. I recently graduated from college with a Computer Information Systems degree and I currently work for a fortune 500 company doing legacy system programming, mainly in COBOL/JCL. I’ve taken some networking classes before, but it has been awhile since I’ve had them, for example I took a CCNA class at my high school, and some basic ones in college.

    I really like programming, but I really want to get into network security as well, because it has always interested me. I was wondering if any of you guys in the field could give me some advice on where to start/order of steps I should go in, classes to take, and books to read. I looked around and some people have suggested to start out with Security+, then CCNA, then CISSP. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

  2. #2
    Just Another Geek
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Rotterdam, Netherlands
    Posts
    3,401
    Network security is a pretty broad subject. Anything in particular you're interested in?

    Being a programmer you might want to concentrate on source code audits?

    Getting some hands-on experience running a network and/or administrating servers will help you get into network security.
    You need to know how (and more importantly, why) things work before you're able to secure them.
    Oliver's Law:
    Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

  3. #3
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Posts
    8
    What I was planing on doing was re-familiarizingly my self with TCP/IP and home networking, and then create my own security lab to play around with and learn from that. I was wondering though, what would be a good setup for a security lab?

  4. #4
    Senior Member nihil's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    United Kingdom: Bridlington
    Posts
    17,188
    Well,

    I am not sure what you mean by "setup", but I would start by seeing what "free" equipment I could lay my hands on. I would go for old flatops as you can stack/rack them.

    Also try for both wired and wireless connections.

    You don't tell us if you have a budget, and how you are fixed for space

  5. #5
    Just Another Geek
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Rotterdam, Netherlands
    Posts
    3,401
    Quote Originally Posted by LiquidFlame
    I was wondering though, what would be a good setup for a security lab?
    That would be highly dependent on what you're going to test

    But like nihil said, start collecting "old" machines. That will give you something to play with without nuking your "workstation".

    Another option is to stick an insane amount of memory in your workstation and use VMWare or MS VirtualPC.
    (More internal memory means you can run more virtual machines)
    Oliver's Law:
    Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

  6. #6
    Only african to own a PC! Cider's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Israel
    Posts
    1,683
    Virtual PC 2007 is a good one if you dont have old machines or space to play with.

    However a lab that you are speaking of can give more of a realistic approach with the phyisical layout

    Just my two cents.
    The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it.
    Albert Einstein

Similar Threads

  1. Windows Error Messages
    By cheyenne1212 in forum Miscellaneous Security Discussions
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: February 1st, 2012, 02:51 PM
  2. Network Security made easy?
    By Tiger Shark in forum Microsoft Security Discussions
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: January 14th, 2005, 08:47 PM
  3. Using IPSec to Secure Computers and Network Traffic.
    By Tiger Shark in forum The Security Tutorials Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: October 7th, 2004, 07:18 PM
  4. NEWS: This weeks security news.
    By xmaddness in forum Miscellaneous Security Discussions
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: September 12th, 2002, 10:33 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •