Happy (belated) New Year. I've been around the security industry awhile, but am by no means an expert. I consider myself a beginner-to-intermediate, and I thirst for more knowledge. My interest in IT Security / Web Security started when I was an /i/nsurgent in my teens. Let's just say I was a little chaotic, taking down websites for the hell of it with my skiddie acrobatics and beautiful social engineering. I don't do that anymore.

Nowadays my focus is on keeping a business online and secure. I am in charge of all IT jobs at my business. It's a small business with two physical locations, and my boss is clueless about IT. While I know a bit, at least enough to keep our remote servers and VOIP functional, my knowledge does not go in-depth.

I decided to go deeper into IT Security. Unfortunately I was never able to go to college. I flipped through a Security+ and CISSP book at Borders. I was able to get at least 70% of the questions in the first couple chapters of the Security+ book right, so I thought getting that certification might at least help to establish myself further in the security industry.

Go for it, do the Security+ and then figure out where to go from there.

Thanks. I've been looking at other certificates like the CEH and CHFI. I like a challenge and I love trying to work out problems.

Of course, none of these help me now. I'm happily employed @ $15/hr so mainly it's just bragging rights and a good challenge.