4 Tips on establishing a Career Path in Information Security

- By Megan Taylor - September 10, 2010

Now many IT professionals may get puzzled when pursuing a career in information security. You are not sure which way to follow. Our customers offer ask me, “should I pursue Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Should I directly go for Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)? ” I always answer that there are some different areas you need to concentrate on within Information security.

I would like to express my opinions in 5 points.

Take more responsibility.
Do more work than that is listed on the letter of your contract, and willing to undertake bigger and better things. Demonstrate your initiatives. And you can also ask your collegue who is in the IT security department whtether you can take on more responsibility, or act as volunteer. Work and practice. The more, the better. A home lab is suggested, in this way, you are able to practice what you have learned from the office.

Get Certified in your area.
Get certified at your level on what you do. If you enter into IT, you work toward the CompTIA Security+ . Please don't go for the higher-level security certifications like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional ( CISSP ) for now unless you actually work in the information security field. As the same, please forget CCNA if your work is not about Cisco kit. What you need to do is to have your certification renewed every three years before you actually work with the equipment, let alone carry out the configurations. A degree for IT is not necessary in some jobs. While it would be essential in some other positions. Forget all about the unnecessary qualifications.

Gain credentials.
The credentials that I mention here is a little different form professional certificates and academic qualifications. It is about professional registrations - that doesn't mean being a member of a professional body - like the Information and Communications Technology Technician (ICTTech), Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP), Chartered Engineers (CEng), Incorporated Engineer (IEng), etc. Credentials can never been brain dumped. It demonstrates that you meet a certain level of qualification.

Social Network.
Network via professional clubs, associations, and college alumni groups or via online tools like Facebook or LinkedIn. You cannot expect which connection you make will help you in your furture career.

This article is written by Megan Taylor, a senior engineer of CertIdea which is the leading certification study material provider for IT professionals. If you meet some technical difficulties and need her help, she can be reached by support@certidea.com.

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