Study for job or where I want to end up?

I'd like to end up somewhere in infosec. Most jobs around where I live are sys admin type jobs that manage windows servers though. I have a CCNA. My best bet to land a good job in the mean time would be to get a MCSA. But that's not really where I want to be...

1. Gamble that I'll land a job with my CCNA in the next few months and study what I want (and try to transition to infosec ASAP)
or
2. Play it safe, MSCA route, but take longer (get a solid 3-5 years as sys admin experience then try transitioning to infosec)

What do you guys do? Study what interests you or what's more likely to land you a job?

Comments

  • revboxrevbox Member Posts: 90 ■■■□□□□□□□
    I'd say it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a MSCA, even if you want to go InfoSec. CCNA should get you employed doing something, even if it isn't what you want. From experience and from tales of others I know, "System Admin" postings can be kind of a catch all. Unless you are doing something Enterprise level where clear separation of duties exist due to requirements, expect an admin role to cover workstation, server, networking, etc. It'll be up to you to highlight your experiences in that role and how that applies to security on future applications. Cutting your teeth and being well-rounded in IT skills will make you better in the long run.
  • ChinookChinook Member Posts: 206
    @OP

    Follow your heart. You'll do best what you want to do. I would set 1, 2 and 5 year goals & a path to get to the point you want to be. Don't go taking courses simply because you feel it's the "right thing" to do. People tend to excel at doing what they like

    As for the MCSA being beneficial to a career in #Infosec. It is best to be a generalist but keep in mind even #infosec has it's own tracks. For example, CBT Nuggets has two trainers who are security specialists. The first is James Conrad. James is an ethical hacker but he is a Windows specialist. Keith Barker is another trainer who is security focused. His certifications are all around CISCO, Check Point, Juniper, etc. Infosec is very broad and computing is so complex you just can't understand it all anymore.

    I look at computing through my 7 layer ISO glasses. Are you a security guy that's focused on Layer 1,2 and 3? Or are you a security guy whose more focused on say layers 5,6 and 7? Which layers of the ISO reference model interest you? Focus on learning those layers & how to exploit them.

    The MCSA is pretty broad and much of what you learn won't have much relevance but some will. Learning about NPS, DHCP, DNS..well that might make sense. Learning about WDS might not make sense. Do learn Active Directory. A well constructed AD is the first step to a secure network.

    You don't necessarily have to be certified in something either. I focus on specific certifications but sometimes I'll learn something else just out of curiosity or because I feel I should understand it. I'll watch the CBT Nuggets or read the book, but I don't go "deep" on the subject (I don't write the test).
  • tmtextmtex Member Posts: 326 ■■■□□□□□□□
    Do you have a Job ? I am going to assume you dont
  • TheFORCETheFORCE Member Posts: 2,297 ■■■■■■■■□□
    Study, learn and get experience in what you like and what you want, money will follow when you put passion in your work.
  • doctorlexusdoctorlexus Member Posts: 217
    I would say just study what you want. You'll find a fit eventually. I seriously doubt an MCSA is going to make a difference between surviving or not.
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