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Hello there,
Ive been a member of this website for a good month now and ive already learnt a great deal thanks to the information and tutorials on here :)
I'm interested in starting a career in Computer Secruity, i've tried a few searches on here but haven't found anything. I was just wondering if you guys could give me a few tips and pointers on my problem.
Thanks for your time.
I'd suggest you keep on searching and look into the field.
Try getting a job as an intern or get a basic A+ certification and start at a low level job and work your way up. If that's too slow get some other certifications or go back to school for a BS. Remember that practical experience + pieces of paper will help you.
which one...what would you like to do or learn more about...?Quote:
I'm interested in starting a career in Computer Secruity
I don't mean to come across as an idiot, but something to do with network secruity. I was hoping someone could give me some advice on how to enter this field of work.
Cheers.
You're going to have to get a strong grasp of networking first. And before you do that, you'll need a strong grasp of how computers work. The method of getting into network security varies. And there are several "branches" you can get into:
- Intrusion detection
- firewall management
- secure administration
- policy creation
etc.
There is no one way to that point. There is, however, some reality to taking some courses (Bachelor's of Computer Networking would be something to look for) and having some certifications behind you. This is not an overnight process but one that can (and often does) take years. Expect to start as a "lowly" tech support and work your way up.
What do you do now? And how many years experience do you have with computers and computer administration?
I suggest getting a Security Clearance, a CISSP Cert, and have about 3 years expereince in the IT field.
You say "get a security clearance" like its as easy as that. I myself have one, but was fortunate enough to have a technical job in the military that provided one to me. I now work in the DC/MD area where a majority of the jobs require it. If you don't live in an area near a major government facility a clearance won't get you crap.
The military is a good option. It worked for me, but its not for everyone. Starting out as a system administartor and having alot of initiative would also work. Start there, get into networking and just keep learning. 99% of the people in IT security have come up through the lower ranks of IT jobs....
I live in England and where i live it is very hard to get a job with a computer involved, so thats a bit of a bitch :(
I do appreciate your advice and you sharing your information with me,thanks :) But dont a lot of hackers become secruity consultants of some kind? Thats not me saying im going to be a hacker but just that do you really need a qualification when you have the knowlegde anyways? :confused:
Thanks.
For most companies, knowledge *usually* isn't enough. So...even if you're the best WHH (white hat hacker) in the world, there are some/all/one companies/company that will not hire you because you don't have a slip of paper saying that you can perfom the tasks of a security consultant.
My advice...if you already have the knowledge, then passing a course or getting a certification would be no hard work anyways, right?
Get your certifications cause it'll pay off in the long run!
:D
Hello zarkbaar
Well I do agree with what everyone is saying here. As for myself, it was different. I WAS a hacker/cracker with no computer education. But I learned the hardway "I earned it." I have been into computers for nearly 20 years, currently know 6 programming languages, have pretty indepth knowledge of UNIX, Linus, Solaris, Mac.
Currently I am a computer security consultant started out getting my own clients by hacking their systems and emailing them with what I had done. I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT but it is how I got started. Now my client base is work of mouth.
Their is MUCH MUCH more to the store but there isn't the time or space here to put it..LOL. It was that hacker ego I had that made me think of my nick which I have been using for many years now.
CyberSorcerer
I got started in the industry seven years ago as a lowly laptop repair tech. It was the only position in my (geographical) area that was open with the only requirement being a high school diploma. I knew alot, but couldn't get a job where i could challenge myself and my knowledge because I didn't have credentials.
Now, here I am, the head of an IT department, after numerous expensive pieces of paper and courses, and some time working for Uncle Sam. What did I learn from them? Not much, but how many times have you looked at the Computer/IT job listings and seen a really goob job with the words "bachelors degree required"?
Get certified. I recommend A+ and Network+ for everyone, regardless of IT specialty. If your going the Network Admin route, get Security+, MSCE, and a cert from a Linux or Unix vendor. I'd also get a CCNA or other networking vendor cert. As for the security end, I'd seriously look at the military. The information security assurance courses offered by DISA and NSA are great, and Security Clearances are extremely valuable from a marketing standpoint. Not to mention that they will pay for your college education and the MGIB covers certifications too. I'm sure there are similar programs through the RAF, MI6 or Army.
Best thing I ever did, for myself and my career, was join the military. I wouldn't take it back for anything in the world!
Thanks a lot guys,i've found a couple of places i can get to, which i can obtain a few of these "pieces of paper" you were on about,lol.
I'm not going to take the courses straight away mind you,in going to read on these forums cause i've learnt an awful lot just in the Newbie Secruity Questions,this site is awesome!!
I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who replied and shared information with me
Nice one! :D
Well a friend of mine once tried to apply for a job at some bank as a co-admin of a network and after they asked if he has any previous experience with network security although they didn't turn him down they said they would prefer someone with no experience instead so that way they can train them they way they want them to be trained. But what I would do is read a lot about computer/network security if I were you. Learn as much as possible and along the way start looking for a job so you don't waste any time doing only one thing.