MatP

[MatP]

@chrisj wrote:

Krebs on Security has a series on it too. haven’t had time to read it yet.

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2012/06/how-to-break-into-security-ptacek-edition/

I’ve read all the articles in Krebs’ series and they are interesting, but they give a huge variety of advice, not all of it really matches up. Of course that’s because he asks people in all different areas of security (AppSec, Network Security, etc.). This is great in that it gives you a very broad view and opens your mind to things you maybe hadn’t considered before, however, if you’re new to security and don’t know what field interests you the most it may be a little overwhelming.

That being said, I’d definitely recommend reading the articles in this series if you’re new and if nothing jumps out at you, then you can always try learning a bit of everything they recommend and see if that helps you narrow down what you enjoy most.

[MatP]

I was hoping this was going to be about this show: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108903/

😛

[MatP]

You should give them a call rather than communicating by e-mail 🙂

[MatP]

@CTRLS wrote:

(my bad abou the speling im at school)

Am I the only one who found this ironic? 🙂

[MatP]

I drove 2 hours/day one-way (in good weather) for 6 months at a crappy paying help desk position, just for the experience and for the sake of not having a big empty gap on my resume (plus I needed the money :P). It was brutal but it was certainly better than nothing! Recently I was offered a better position/better pay at a better company, but I had to move. Luckily I was in a position to do so, now my commute is five minutes 😀

Good luck with the interview, hope you get it. It may be a terrible drive, but it’ll get you started! With a little experience and all the certs you’re planning on acquiring, you’ll be significantly more employable whenever you decide to move on 🙂

[MatP]

Indeed. It’s rather troubling in all honesty. We have the chairman of a major security company using a poor argument which will only result in consumers being more confused about security than they may have already been. I realize that a businesses primary concern is generation profit, but they should not be doing that by scaring customers into purchasing their product with outright lies.

I’ve posted about it on my blog: http://mathewpower.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/trend-micro-chairmen-clueless/

[MatP]

New post related to the comments Steve Chang (Trend Micro’s chairman) made today. The other post mentioned previously is still a work in progress. 🙂

Thanks for reading!

[MatP]

So after a fairly lengthy hiatus I’ve finally gotten some new content up. Some of it is merely about my hiatus and my new job, but I’ve also just posted a two-part article on passwords following the recent Gawker Media news and the study done on the passwords revealed.

Additionally, I have another big post in progress, though I don’t know when it’ll be done. Still researching some aspects of it and there will likely be some restructuring as I don’t particularly like how it’s written right now. I’ll post an update here once it’s done 🙂 In case you’re wondering it’s about a Cory Doctorow novel called “Little Brother” and how it in many ways describes similar issues we are facing right now.

Anyway, will check back in soon 🙂

[MatP]

I agree re: Catch Me if You Can, I was thinking about that the last time I watched it.

Leo is a great actor 😛

[MatP]

Hi! So I haven’t been around to visit in some time but I wanted to say thank you again for all the help you’ve offered. I am finally starting my new job on the 29th! Can’t wait to be back to work either.

Anyway, hopefully I’ll be around to comment/contribute a little more frequently.

[MatP]

Lack of experience is certainly frustrating when you’re looking for a job. I’m in a similar position and all the job postings I see want at minimum 5+ years experience.

That being said, I’ve applied for these positions anyway and often gotten interviews out of it.

Additionally, it’s possible that the job was posted publicly but they promoted someone from within to that position, which could lead to a more entry-level position being available, they may contact you for that position instead.

Good luck!

[MatP]

@H1t M0nk3y wrote:

Don’t worry too much MatP. If you don’t get a call, then they are poor employers (I always call back, even if they didn’t get the job).

Nothing happens without a reason! Who knows, you may meet the woman of your life in another position!  😉

Yeah, I’ve never understood the whole “we’ll call you back if we want to interview you again”. I’ve always thought it to be more courteous to call back regardless.

I’ve also had people tell me they call back regardless only to not call. Of course I call them. Twice the person who guaranteed me they would call me by a specific date went on vacation instead without calling me. I’d say that’s a little rude. Coincidentally both were government positions 😛

As for meeting the woman of my life, I’ve already done that 🙂 But you’re right, there is a reason for everything and any time a door closes a new door is opening.

[MatP]

Wow, interesting story Sil! Not that I really have the experience to suggest this one way or the other, but I’d say as long as you’re happy with your job and what you’re doing then why make a move? Sure it could be good for your career short or long term but having a great career isn’t the only thing life is about.

Anyway, I always send a “thank you” letter after an interview. Thanks for the advice though and the words of encouragement. It’s much appreciated!

[MatP]

Well the interview went alright I guess. It was quite short, though it was a phone interview so it was basically just to determine who to bring in for a more in depth interview. He told me I’d be contacted within the next two weeks if they wanted to interview me in person.

Hope I get the call 🙂

[MatP]

Wow, 17 pages!!! That’s huge lol

Thanks for the advice and for the good luck 🙂 Interview is in less than an hour, will let everyone know how it goes 🙂

[Author]

Posts