New Job: Security Engineer

cyberguyprcyberguypr Mod Posts: 6,928 Mod
My current role is a Systems Engineer touching everything from OS, to security, storage, apps, and a few other things. It's a small shop with a lot of work so we adjust to whatever requires attention at any given time. Although I get a good chance to work on security related tasks, sometimes infrastructure stuff gets in the way and security gets pushed aside. As a result I got an itch a few months ago to put some feelers out there in order to scope out dedicated blue team security positions as well as gauge the state of the Infosec market here in Chicago.

I ended up putting my resume on CareerBuilder and I kid you not received over 45 different emails/calls from recruiter or companies. I would say 50% were in the ridiculous category (not security focused, too far, too short of a contract, ridiculous skill set requirements, etc.). 40% were mildly interesting. Of the remaining 10% I ended up actively engaging two recruiters working on 3 similar positions. At the same time I applied directly to a few positions I found on Indeed.com and CareerBuilder. Long story short I did phone interviews with 5 companies and two face-to-face with my top choice. This is a quasi-governmental entity with a solid history and great benefits. Last night they called and made an offer that surpassed every expectation I had. They brought me in north of the elusive six figures that I've been toying with for years. Overall it represents a 25% raise. Benefits are also cheaper so that percentage should go up. The role will focus on incident response, vulnerability management, risk management, process improvements, policy creation, and some other cool stuff. Can't wait to start in a few weeks. Off to give notice to my current employer in the AM.
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Comments

  • lsud00dlsud00d Member Posts: 1,571
    Congrats cyberguypr!! Seems like there is a lot of good news going around TE lately icon_cheers.gif

    I'm sure the CISSP and GCIH didn't hurt going for a more focused security role icon_wink.gif
  • Chivalry1Chivalry1 Member Posts: 569
    Congrats on the job. For skilled IT professionals the job market is lucrative. Employers should really take notice to keeping there skilled employee's happy. If not they will be stuck attempting to fill a void.
    "The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and
    content with your knowledge. " Elbert Hubbard (1856 - 1915)
  • Khaos1911Khaos1911 Member Posts: 366
    Congrats! I think I will put some feelers out after my GCIA exam in a couple weeks. Here's hoping that relocation assistance is still an option in this day and age.
  • snunez889snunez889 Member Posts: 238 ■■■□□□□□□□
    congrats. I hope to be in your shoes one day, what type of exp do you have. (something for me to aim to)
  • cyberguyprcyberguypr Mod Posts: 6,928 Mod
    Thanks all. I've been doing IT for 15 years now. Desktop Support > Team Lead > Systems Admin > Systems Engineer > Security Engineer > Flux Capacitor Designer icon_smile.gif
  • NightShade03NightShade03 Member Posts: 1,383 ■■■■■■■□□□
  • JustFredJustFred Member Posts: 678 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Nice. Congrats with the new job.
    [h=2]"After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true." Spock[/h]
  • VeritiesVerities Member Posts: 1,162
    Congratulations!!!
    cyberguypr wrote: »
    Flux Capacitor Designer icon_smile.gif

    You should put Certified Jiggowatt Specialist on your resume icon_wink.gif.
  • Master Of PuppetsMaster Of Puppets Member Posts: 1,210
    That's great news! Congrats!
    Yes, I am a criminal. My crime is that of curiosity. My crime is that of judging people by what they say and think, not what they look like. My crime is that of outsmarting you, something that you will never forgive me for.
  • docricedocrice Member Posts: 1,706 ■■■■■■■■■■
    Way to go. Welcome to the club. Enjoy the sleepless nights and constant bombardments.

    Do you know Kung-fu?
    Hopefully-useful stuff I've written: http://kimiushida.com/bitsandpieces/articles/
  • Justin-Justin- Member Posts: 300
    From previous job lookups on security engineering, I hear they require some type of scripting experience such as bash or python. Does this job include scripting? Cheers and goodluck on your next job
  • bertiebbertieb Member Posts: 1,031 ■■■■■■□□□□
    Congrats on the new role! Best of luck :)
    The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they are genuine - Abraham Lincoln
  • ajs1976ajs1976 Member Posts: 1,945 ■■■■□□□□□□
    congrrats
    Andy

    2020 Goals: 0 of 2 courses complete, 0 of 2 exams complete
  • JoJoCal19JoJoCal19 Mod Posts: 2,835 Mod
    Congrats on the new job! Thats the type of position I'd like to get.
    Have: CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, eJPT, GCIA, GSEC, CCSP, CCSK, AWS CSAA, AWS CCP, OCI Foundations Associate, ITIL-F, MS Cyber Security - USF, BSBA - UF, MSISA - WGU
    Currently Working On: Python, OSCP Prep
    Next Up:​ OSCP
    Studying:​ Code Academy (Python), Bash Scripting, Virtual Hacking Lab Coursework
  • zxbanezxbane Member Posts: 740 ■■■■□□□□□□
    Congrats, sounds like an awesome position where you will get your hands on a lot of different issues! Your hard work and studies have paid off for sure.
  • cyberguyprcyberguypr Mod Posts: 6,928 Mod
    They did ask about scripting. I told them I only do PowerShell but my short term plan is to start learning Python.
  • 100k100k Member Posts: 196
    Good Luck! Looks like good things are happening all around for everyone. I will be chasing that goal myself but with only 3 years experience I still have ways to go.
  • Adam BAdam B Member Posts: 108 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Congrats Cyber! Seems like a great opportunity for plenty of learning. I'm happy for you buddy. Hard work pays off. icon_thumright.gif
    2015 Goals: CCNP SWITCH [] SEC+ [ ] CCNP ROUTE [ ] CCNP TSHOOT [ ]

  • realPSIrealPSI Member Posts: 51 ■■□□□□□□□□
    Congrats! I hope to get there with ICS/SCADA systems.
  • lsud00dlsud00d Member Posts: 1,571
    Verities wrote: »
    You should put Certified Jiggowatt Specialist on your resume icon_wink.gif.

    ::looks at resume::
    Jiggawhat??
    No, it's jiggawatt you idiot!
  • RomBUSRomBUS Member Posts: 699 ■■■■□□□□□□
    Congrats and well deserved! Best of luck to you in your new position

    I wish I had your drive to start perusing my next opportunity but I've been procrastinating to the fullest
  • CyberscumCyberscum Member Posts: 795 ■■■■■□□□□□
    cyberguypr wrote: »
    The role will focus on incident response, vulnerability management, risk management, process improvements, policy creation, and some other cool stuff.
    Sweet, Congrats! Sounds like my job lol

    ...Hopefully they give you a cool toolset for VM. I use ACAS where I am at.

    ...Should be a very fun gig, good luck.
  • cyberguyprcyberguypr Mod Posts: 6,928 Mod
    Put in my resignation and was dismissed on the spot. Gotta love two weeks paid vacation!
  • coffeeluvrcoffeeluvr Member Posts: 734 ■■■■■□□□□□
    Congratulations on the new gig! Enjoy the next two weeks!!
    "Something feels funny, I must be thinking too hard. - Pooh"
  • cgrimaldocgrimaldo Member Posts: 439 ■■■■□□□□□□
    cyberguypr wrote: »
    Put in my resignation and was dismissed on the spot. Gotta love two weeks paid vacation!
    Wow. Crazy...Good riddance to them! Congrats to you :)
  • MSP-ITMSP-IT Member Posts: 752 ■■■□□□□□□□
    cyberguypr wrote: »
    Put in my resignation and was dismissed on the spot. Gotta love two weeks paid vacation!

    Was it a company policy thing, or more of a force of power? Did you leave on good terms?
  • cyberguyprcyberguypr Mod Posts: 6,928 Mod
    100% amicable. The CISO made the call and I completely understand.
  • lsud00dlsud00d Member Posts: 1,571
    cyberguypr wrote: »
    100% amicable. The CISO made the call and I completely understand.

    Insider threat ;)
  • CyberscumCyberscum Member Posts: 795 ■■■■■□□□□□
    I personally think thats lousy pactice. I could see taking your admin rights and access to sensitive areas...so on and so fourth. But an immediate dismissal?

    I would have a going away gathering and let you help others transition into your role before you left. That is if you were leaving on good terms. I think that releasing people immediately gives the impression that you were a dime a dozen. Not healthy for you or current employees.

    To each his own, I think it is poor business practice unless you were a direct security threat.
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