Need help on the next step.

Your next step will largely be dictated by your end goal. Preparing for a career in information security management can be different than preparing as a career as a highly skilled individual contributor.

What sort of career path were you looking to have?

Thanks for the reply!

I know what I want to do in the long run is data acquisition and investigations, however I am open to management. My main concern is starting on something and it not be needed in the long run for my long term goal (really struggling on that one).

If anyone has career path advice that would be helpful also )

Learn the skills of your current career and what will help you there. However, I have seen computer forensics jobs being offered by the government and government contractors. Many of these jobs would require a move and some require training, experience, education, and/or certifications.

For certifications I suggest the vendor neutral ones to begin with. Consider ones that would benefit your current job and your interest in forensics. Who knows maybe work will help you with the expense or encourage some form of certification.

There are some very good books out there on computer forensics as you may know. Look at some of the professional associations out there with regards to Security, Forensics, and/or investigations. Take a look at this link http//csrc.nist.gov/csrc/professional.html

I hope your current job will help you get a solid foundation and maybe help you find an area of security or forensics that really interests you. Take advantage of any opportunities that come your way in the form of training, certifications, and experience. Best of luck on your future endeavors.

You're right. I am kind of thinking far ahead, I just didn't want to go down the wrong path. I just wanted to get started on my next degree so that I can get it done as soon as I could.

I have looked at (and own a few) computer forensics books, but I haven't found one about getting into the field. Do you have any recommendations?

If you want to go the degree route and you have the funding for from someplace like an employer's tuition assistance program, you should look into a graduate level program like the one offered at the University of Central Florida which you can obtain online. You already have an undergraduate degree so there isn't any sense in getting another one at that level.

However, if the degree track doesn't appeal to you for whatever reason, you can get good training through organizations like the SANS Institute which will equip you with the proper understanding of digital forensics so that you can put those skills to work right away. Full disclosure on this paragraph I'm in league with SANS, so to speak.

I've actually been working on a blog post off and on about what I have observed about how people have become digital forensics gurus and what lessons we can take away from that. I hope to have it done sometime soon.

Overall the books are involved with general computer forensics or a related more specific topic. However, some have information about college degree programs, associations, and contacts for government agencies. These are all thing you can find and research on the internet as well. For getting into a specific field start looking at job postings and job descriptions for the career path you are interested in (both private and government).

I strongly suggest becoming a member of your local chapter of a related association and start meeting others in the field. For a graduate degree options that will depend on your focus, finances and time. Shop around and do your research look at accreditation, course descriptions, and if you can find it professor backgrounds.

Regards,

Chris

If you want to go the degree route and you have the funding for from someplace like an employer's tuition assistance program, you should look into a graduate level program like the one offered at the University of Central Florida which you can obtain online. You already have an undergraduate degree so there isn't any sense in getting another one at that level.

I have considered this and was looking at Champlain as was suggested on this board, but am nervous about how online courses are viewed to employers.

However, if the degree track doesn't appeal to you for whatever reason, you can get good training through organizations like the SANS Institute which will equip you with the proper understanding of digital forensics so that you can put those skills to work right away. Full disclosure on this paragraph I'm in league with SANS, so to speak.

I have looked into SANS ) This is how I got the idea of MSISM D

I strongly suggest becoming a member of your local chapter of a related association and start meeting others in the field. For a graduate degree options that will depend on your focus, finances and time. Shop around and do your research look at accreditation, course descriptions, and if you can find it professor backgrounds.

I will definitely look into this. Thank you.

I have considered this and was looking at Champlain as was suggested on this board, but am nervous about how online courses are viewed to employers.

I can only speak for myself as a hiring manager, but it's the quality of the program that concerns me rather than the delivery method. Champlain has a fine program and I've spoken other hiring managers who have said good things about the people who come out of that program.

I would not be overly concerned about the online aspect as long as you research the areas I spoke of earlier. The other caveat is that the online "classroom" itself may not provide a learning environment that is good for you as compared to the phyical classroom.

Champlain College has a very good reputation in part to the work of Gary Kessler and others for their undergraduate program and now their graduate program. Champlain College is also an authorized training center for the CCE Bootcamp. Also check into the University of Central
Florida and others mentioned or posted here.

Regards,

Chris