Shift Only Worries - Do they exist?

SwitchingGears

So I'm still deciding where I would like to fall into the IT realm.

I've been self-employed for 25 years, and most of the time my workload consists of "I need it now" type assignments where I am only paid for results. Of course, there is only so much of me to go around, and the current economy has only made it worse since everybody not only needs it now, but they can't afford to pay much. I'm kind of over it.

I completed a Certificate program in Computer Forensics - but the profession also seems pretty demanding, very similar to what I'm already doing (and trying to get away from!).

So I started Cisco Networking Academy and have completed modules A/B, and plan on taking the CCENT and then on to CCNA Security (I will also be taking a Cisco security class this spring.) I'm also taking the Sec+ within the next month or so.

I took an information security class earlier this year and loved it. It seems more like an area I would like to get into, rather than being a straight tech guy, Network Admin or Engineer. But, I understand the importance of the technical skills as a foundation, thus my continued pursuit of the networking stuff.

Reviewing the posts on this board, I'm still trying to get a better understanding of the daily demands for various IT positions. Honestly, I'm looking fir the type of position where I can go in, work my tail off for however many hours they need me, and then go home without any worries or baggage hanging over my head.

Preferably, this would be in a not so technical role. And, not working as a consultant, again, I just want to collect a steady paycheck as opposed to the self-employed/consultant type gig.

Any thoughts? And thank in advance.

YFZblu

I work in a SOC and for level 2's and below, work doesn't go home with us. At the end of our shift we update shift turnover, and the next group takes over.

networker050184

As YFZblu pointed out most roles where you work a shift and forget about it are fairly low level (which means fairly low level pay which may or may not be something important to you). Most higher level positions are going to consist of some type of 'baggage' as you put it though not necessarily on call though.

jvrlopez

Never been called in after hours so long as I've been a contractor.

Of course, there have been times when I've heard about or worked with items that happened after my shift. These are those annoying, "Hey, I need to talk to you" kind of inputs you get when you first walk in the next day.

nestech

networker050184 wrote: »

As YFZblu pointed out most roles where you work a shift and forget about it are fairly low level (which means fairly low level pay which may or may not be something important to you). Most higher level positions are going to consist of some type of 'baggage' as you put it though not necessarily on call though.

This may depend on the company you working for. My first security / SOC gig paid me 78k. Not sure what you mean by low level?

networker050184

Depends on the person and their life style. $70k range would be low for myself and I'd assume for someone that was self employed for 25+ years would be making a decent amount as well.

YFZblu

nestech wrote: »

This may depend on the company you working for. My first security / SOC gig paid me 78k. Not sure what you mean by low level?

I'm close to that number - I do know of other SOC jobs where I live (Phoenix) paying 85k for level 1 SOC analysts. Like Networker said it's all about lifestyle/expectations; that being said, cost of living in Phoenix isn't high and 85k for an Associate-level staff member would not be considered low here.

pitviper

This is the wrong field if you want to make decent money and not take your work home with you. We don’t have a call rotation here but things break…and A LOT!

nestech

YFZblu wrote: »

I'm close to that number - I do know of other SOC jobs where I live (Phoenix) paying 85k for level 1 SOC analysts. Like Networker said it's all about lifestyle/expectations; that being said, cost of living in Phoenix isn't high and 85k for an Associate-level staff member would not be considered low here.

85k is not low anywhere...

networker050184

If someone is used to making $150k and living a certain lifestyle then $85k would certainly be a low salary for them. It's all objective.

nestech

networker050184 wrote: »

If someone is used to making $150k and living a certain lifestyle then $85k would certainly be a low salary for them. It's all objective.

That is the true if he was making 150k, 85k would be the low end but we don't know what he was or is making...

SwitchingGears

Thanks for the responses thus far, very helpful

At times I've made a grip of money, other times not so much...and the not so much cycle is where I've been stuck for the past several years.

Income is not the primary, driving decision - it's career happiness that I'm looking for. I know that decent money will follow in due time.

I guess what I'm asking is, I don't want to go into management, yet I don't want to be a tech (at least, not forever). What are some information security positions in between?

I see people talk about security in a "non-technical role", what type of positions are those? Policy writing, compliance, auditing?

Incident response sounds great (I'm a private investigator by trade, thus the forensics direction), but I'm pretty sure that would be a "stop-what-you-are-doing, and respond" type commitment, or am I wrong?

paul78

It sounds like you are seeking a job with reasonably set hours, perhaps not necessarily a shift but a job without non-working hours overflow. Those do exist in IT. As many indicated, it more typical of operations related functions like helpdesk, NOC, SOC, etc.

However, given your interest in IT security and background, you probably can also find jobs with fairly predictable hours in infosec security role which is not as technical.

Your best bet is probably a larger company which is organized by information security functions. Incident response is not likely to be one of the options - in my experience incident response includes on-call coverage and response members are not permitted to simply clock-out when there is an incident in progress. Also - incidents tend to happen at more inconvenient times Bad guys like to conduct activities during holidays for example - especially phishing attacks.

However, with information security, there are also a lot of administrative functions as you mentioned which may be more appropriate. What comes to mind would be risk management, compliance and audit. These types of governance functions are mostly administrative and are fairly predictable. Just bear in mind that certain audit jobs can require a bit of travel if it's for third-party risk management for example.

The reality though is that in the US, most IT support roles do have hours that are not always great. But there are jobs which exist where you can leave the work at the office.

wes allen

Many public sector IT/InfoSec positions might fit what you are looking for. You may not make as much as as contractor/private sector, but the hours are generally more stable and it is much less likely that work stuff will bleed over to your off hours. As Paul mentioned, infosec governance might be a good fit, as well.

Master Of Puppets

I agree with what the others have said above. Be very wary of the infosec position you will get into. The ones already mentioned will most likely do the trick for you. Incident response will be the exact opposite of what you want. The whole idea there is to act fast at any time(like paul said, it seems this is always in the middle of the night or on Christmas for example). Security is very important and a lot of responsibilities go with it, so often your job leaves the office with you.

In my case - I work for a privately held company but almost our entire business is in the public sector. I don't work for the government directly but I'm the guy that does the security. So if their network gets attacked, my phone is going to ring regardless of my work schedule. Choose wisely if you want to have a predictable schedule.

SwitchingGears

Outstanding, thanks guys, this helps a ton. This site rocks!!!