New Job: Security Engineer

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

NightShade03

Cyberscum wrote: »

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.

It's actually more common then you think. I personally don't agree with it either, but I totally see the justification behind it. This is particularly true if you work for anyone in the sales engineering world (VARs, Consulting, etc). They don't want you taking customer lists, company assets, or anything else which can be quickly procured if you aren't walked off site right away.

It happens though.

@cyber - enjoy the two weeks off!

Chivalry1

cyberguypr wrote: »

100% amicable. The CISO made the call and I completely understand.

The CISO sounds a little bitter to me...and upset that you left. Oh well....two weeks of paid vacation is always good.

cyberguypr

My manager and the IT Architecture VP were very apologetic and felt shitty about the whole thing. They must've told me more than 10 times it wasn't their call. Again, I understand and hold no grudge. I look at the positive side of this in two ways:

1) can cite it as an example when making the case for the possibility of immediate dismissal
2) now I can spend more time on Techexams. Woohoo!!!!

JoJoCal19

It's standard practice to essentially give you a two week paid vacation when you have the keys to the kingdom. This is not to be confused with immediately firing someone without pay when they put in their notice.

kurosaki00

Felicidades! Always glad to see another IT professional progress.

Hopefully will get to a point like that some when in my career.

N2IT

Gratz! The market is white hot right now.

I had an offer for a 2 year contract in Houston for Exxon for 160,000 annual. I make less than a 100,000 now. I put my hat in last Thursday just for the fun of it.

Lot's of money to be had right now.

Back to you, exciting times!

arrogantbastard

N2IT wrote: »

Gratz! The market is white hot right now.

I had an offer for a 2 year contract in Houston for Exxon for 160,000 annual. I make less than a 100,000 now. I put my hat in last Thursday just for the fun of it.

Lot's of money to be had right now.

Back to you, exciting times!

Any security is only getting recognized more and more every day with each new headline:)

JoJoCal19

arrogantbastard wrote: »

Any security is only getting recognized more and more every day with each new headline:)

I know right. Each time I see a new headline, I smile. Job security and salaries increasing for us experienced InfoSec professionals.

wes allen

Yep, if you are in infosec with a decent amount of experience and some skills, 6 figures is totally doable, even in lower cost of living areas.

N2IT

Just for clarification I am in data but still both fields are scortching hot.

Drethyl

Congrats to you cyberguy. Even though I'm not in the security field yet I hope to be soon after graduation. It seems like as the weeks go by I see more and more about security online and on tv which causes even more of a demand. It's a really good feeling being in such a hot field right now this is the time to reap the rewards.

Essendon

A bit late to the party, but congratulations for the new gig mate! Looks like a great role!

YFZblu

Congratulations man, I'm really happy for you

ninjaturtle

He's just bitter!! It makes it easier on you, you just washed your hands of that company. I kind of wish they would do that to me when I quit, but I'm sure they'll ask me to take my Blackberry with me for a "short" time.

Congrats on the new job!! And definitely enjoy that time off. Give your mind a little rest time, maybe some relax studying and of course hit up the forums!

Cheers to you mate!!

kriscamaro68

Congrats on the new gig. Use this 2 weeks off to go butt wild!!!

cyberguypr

Thanks to those slackers joining the party late

Another story I wanted to share involves a recruiter. This guy hit me up for a position with a health care related company that looked interesting. Also a mix of policy/compliance and tech hands-on stuff. He submitted by resume to the client and then nothing happened for a week. He then calls me with another similar role with a law firm. I've never been fond of the legal environment but since the role and pay looked enticing I agreed to have him submit my resume. The next day he leaves me a voicemail indicating that the law firm wants to do a 15 min phone screen the following day. Now, this call happened the same day that I accepted the other position and I was extremely busy so ended up listening to the voicemail late at night. I then sent an email indicating that I just secured a position and that I was withdrawing from the candidate pool and thanked him for the time and effort spent presenting me to his clients. To this day I haven't received an email or call congratulating me or anything. Looks like the kind of guy that if you get hurt while exploring the jungle will leave you behind for the wild animals to feast on you in order to save his ass. This is why I wish all car salesmen and recruiters would go on a one-way trip to another planet and never come back.

UnixGuy

Congratulations! Interesting stories about your dismissal and recruiters!

Do you think you could've gotten this position without the CISSP and GCIH? were they a job requirement?

cyberguypr

Actually this is one of the few positions I looked at which didn't require certs. Having said that they did mention how great it was that I had CISSP and SANS certs. I think it also helped that I was doing another SANS class the very next Monday after the interview. Sold them on continuous improvement and stuff.

UnixGuy

Brilliant! Do you pay for SANS classes out of pocket or does your employer pay for them?

cyberguypr

They paid for two. I paid for one. All through work study program.

docrice

Being dismissed from your duties as soon as your resignation notice is turned in may seem rude, but it's not uncommon. Staff who have access to sensitive or classified information can also be seen as a liability from an HR perspective as well, so while socially it sounds like a slap in the face, as a practical matter this is a common established business procedure when confidential operational information involved.

snadam

I am super late, but congrats nonetheless!!!

cyberguypr

Interesting and unexpected turn of events. Yesterday my old company let 20 people go. This is a 200 employee company so it's a lot. Given I was the last hire in my team it looks like I dodge a bullet. Well, more like a cannonball.

lsud00d

That really takes your breathe away...would your previous position (the one you just left) have been among those?

Even if not...talk about timing! Wow.

anoeljr

Congrats man! And this just goes to show that all things happen for a reason.

auxiliarypriest

Congrats... Hope to follow a similar path.