General Discussion

Author

Advice

Boulware5

2002-02-17, 1:07 am

Right now I got an A+ and in a few weeks will have a Network+. Few more months I will have a 2nd AAS degree in CIS LAN concentration (the other 2 year degree is general studies). Problem is I got 0 experience. Soon, however, I will start an internship at my school (required for the degree). Right now what intrigues me in IT is security. That seems to be the big thing now and learning about 'hackers' and how to prevent against attacks just really seems to interest me. Where do I start? I don't know how many of you have heard but compTIA will be offering an intro security certification (maybe called security+) soon. Beta will start Fall 2002. To me someone in this field should first know all about how networks word and the major OS's. After Net+, I want to do CCNA and Linux (maybe Linux+). Anyway, what do you all think about that and how does someone like me get started in security?

jackiechan

2002-02-17, 6:27 am

Get as many certifications as you want. Be the most decorated certified person on earth if that makes you happy. But with no experience you are going to the poverty line.

darthw

2002-02-17, 7:07 am

Boy jackiechan what a pessimist. If you have problems in your own career, jackie, maybe it's your attitude that is the root cause.

Although I agree with Jackie that you should continue certifying and learn, learn, learn. I myself have no security specific experience, but it seems to me that learning internet technologies and a bit of programming would not be a bad idea. A friend of mine is taking some Master's courses in security and is learning/discussing algorithms, programming, and other encryption information.

I would expect that you are going to need to put in at least a couple years doing entry-level support work unless you have a pretty good handle on programming and can dazzle a potential employer. In the meantime I recommend you continue your university education with a Bachelor's degree. The AAS degrees will give you an edge over some other job candidates, but a B.A. or B.S. is going to enhance your prospects greatly.

bencher

2002-02-17, 7:15 am

Yep, I don`t know if there is a lot demand for security specialists. Maybe you should get a job with a company where those specialists work. Then look what they ask from a specialist. Well I don`t know, maybe you should first try to configure a firewall. The linux thing and the network+ is not a bad start, but if you have no experience maybe you should first focus to get a job. Maybe you should specialize. Anybody else?

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