Career advice wanted

Discussion in 'Employment & Jobs' started by JK2447, Mar 20, 2009.

  1. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi All,

    I want a change of career and really like the look of penetration testing (steady now!). I've worked in IT for 10 years working with Mainframes with the odd bit of desktop and server work thrown in.

    I've started by working toward an MCSE: Security then was considering CEH.

    Are there any testers out there with any advice for a budding security professional.

    I know experience is King so I am fortunate enough to be able to possibly second onto our IT Security team but I just wondered if anyone had any advice.

    Thanks

    James
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  2. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Have you thought about the Comptia Security+? It's a very good base to build on, plus it counts towards the MCSE: S :)

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  3. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hi Ken, thanks for the reply. Yep got my Security + exam booked for May but I had wondered if I was along the right lines with this. Like you say it counts toward my MCSE: S so thats why I've booked it but when I spoke to a member of our IT security team they hadn't heard of it . . . . which worried me a little:rolleyes: Thanks again
    James
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  4. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Sorry I should of mentioned. I have 70-291, 70-299 and CompTIA Security+ booked to get me my MCSA: S (All going to plan). Then carry on to get the MCSE: S.

    I just wondered if a Security professional would consider this a good path to take?
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  5. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Good luck for the exam, I passed the Security+ exam and the hardest thing was the wording of the exam itself, imo. I wouldn't worry too much about our IT Security team not knowing about the Security+ cert, there's alot of different certs out there and unless you research all of them, there will always be one or two certs that someone hasn't heard of. However, like I said, don't worry. If you are in doubt of the Security+ cert, just see here. The Security+ cert is one of the recognised certifications for the DoD (Department of Defence, in the US) Directive 8570 in the US.

    While I'm not a dedicated Security Professional, as an IT Manager IT security does fall under myself and the senior IT Tech (Modey on here) and I would say that is a good plan. There are other certs and more experience in gain (there always will be), but it's a good place to start :)

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  6. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Thanks Ken, I didn't know that. Anything internationally recognised is always good. I'd love to work abroad for a spell if it ever come up.

    I'm trying to get myself skilled up to get on that first rung but without that break to get some experience. . . . .

    Thanks for your advice

    James
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  7. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    No worries mate :)

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  8. JK2447
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    JK2447 Petabyte Poster Administrator Premium Member

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    Hey Ken, just read your article in Cert Mag on this very subject. Very good. Thats some achievement to get published like that. I plan on doing some tutoring myself with the OU once I get a few of my certs/career aspirations out the way
    Cheers
    James
     
    Certifications: VCP4, 5, 6, 6.5, 6.7, 7, 8, VCAP DCV Design, VMConAWS Skill, Google Cloud Digital Leader, BSc (Hons), HND IT, HND Computing, ITIL-F, MBCS CITP, MCP (270,290,291,293,294,298,299,410,411,412) MCTS (401,620,624,652) MCSA:Security, MCSE: Security, Security+, CPTS, CCA (XenApp6.5), MCSA 2012, VSP, VTSP
    WIP: Google Cloud Certs
  9. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Thanks, go for it mate.

    -Ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security

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