The Ethical Hacker Network - Degree choice question.

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alburnett

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Degree choice question.

« on: June 22, 2011, 08:21:52 PM »

Background:
I am a Systems Administrator with 10 years experience. But I want a change... so I'm looking to jump into Infosec, and most likely Pen Testing.

So my question is:
Do you feel/believe/think... a degree in Computer Science or Cybersecurity would server me better?

For those who want to look at the specific programs I'm looking into; here ya go.
CompSci -> http://umuc.edu/programs/undergrad/cmsc
Cybersecurity -> http://umuc.edu/programs/undergrad/csia

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Sorry, I don't believe I was a clear as I thought I was. I am looking into advice in regards to a degree only. I have a decent grasp on most of the rest.


« Last Edit: June 23, 2011, 06:20:49 AM by alburnett »	Logged

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chrisj

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Re: Degree choice question.

« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2011, 09:11:50 PM »

It'll help you with the transition. shows you can be trained, and will help you get past hr filters.

The security one would probably help you more. But I only glanced at the them. The other option would be to leverage your current job, get some certs, take some kind of classes on line (ElearnSecurity, PWB/OSCP, Hacking Dojo), and try to start building a name for yourself. Go to cons, rub shoulders, have good conversations online, get to know local hackers (2600, defcon group, city sec group, issa, infraguard) and go from there.


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alburnett

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Re: Degree choice question.

« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2011, 06:29:41 AM »

@chrisj: Thanks for the input regarding the degrees.

Also thanks for the 2-bits on other methods.


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El33tsamurai

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Re: Degree choice question.

« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2011, 05:32:23 PM »

To be honest man Comp Sci is a degree for people not know what they want to do, it has 2 classes in every field in IT so jack of all trades master of none kind of thing where as the info sec degree with focus on info sec and info sec only. Currently working on my masters in info sec and did research on what I said above before I started.


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chrisj

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Re: Degree choice question.

« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2011, 06:59:09 PM »

Depends on the school actually. When I was at the University of Michigan. The point of CompSci was to make code grinding programmers.


« Last Edit: June 24, 2011, 08:09:58 AM by chrisj »	Logged

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alburnett

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Re: Degree choice question.

« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2011, 07:29:02 AM »

@El33tsamurai: I never thought of it in that way.

@chrisj: UMUC's CompSci degree is not so much of a Programming degree. They actully have courses that follow a more traditional CompSci approach.