Skills For A Career In Security

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“There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the

path”

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Agenda

Today’s Security trends

Why a Career in Information Security

Skills required

Profiles

Certifications. Are they required?

Q & A

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Today’s Security trendsThe information explosion caused by Internet has also shortened the geographical boundaries, and has brought about immense data for exploration and exploitation.

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'Man is a Social Animal' - Aristotle

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Terms like Cyber crime economy, corporate cyber espionage, Cyber Warfare have now come into vogue..Its a constant game of catch-up

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Today’s Security trends (cont..)

Governments & Corporations are setting up Cyber Labs with specialized training for its workforce to tackle these….

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Today’s Security trends (cont..)

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Unlike the old times when hacking was for fun and to show off one’s ability, today the primary motivation is driven by Money.

Today’s Security Trends (cont)

…Of-course some still do it for fun and more….

Today’s Security Trends (cont)

Breaches still continue to happen due to user errors as well…

What does this bring to picture?

Need of good folks….http://vprasanna.com

So, who could be these good folks?

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Interesting?

Lets Explore…

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• Requires specialized Skills

• Opportunity for continuous learning• Challenging job prospectus

• Niche Area

• Currently there is a big shortage of skilled Information Security Professionals in line with Data exploration and exploitation.

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Why a career in Security ?

Why a career in Security ?(cont)

Courtesy: www.ecommercetimes.com

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Education Level of Professionals in Security

Statistics: Global Workforce Study www.isc2.org

Source:www.isc2.org

Security Engineering

Field of work: Product design and development

Hardware programming

Application Testing

Hardware Testing

Review codes for vulnerabilities

Fix vulnerabilities through patching (some more coding)

Research and Development

Malware Analysis, Reverse Engineering

Application Security reviewhttp://vprasanna.com

Security Engineering

Typical skills required:

Programming

Unix, C,C++, Shell, PERL,Python, Java, .NET & etc

Scripting

Databases

Cryptography

TCP/IP Stack, OSI Model

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Common Sense

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Certifications & Resources:

• Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

from ISC2

• SANS Secure Coding Certifications

– Java - Secure Coding - Developing Defensible Apps

– .NET - Secure Coding - Developing Defensible Apps

– C/C++ - Secure Coding - Developing Defensible Apps

– PCI - Secure Coding for PCI Compliance (DEV 536)

• Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle

• CMMI practises

• Many more…http://vprasanna.com

Popular Job Titles include:

• Security Engineer

• Security Researcher

• Application Security Researcher

• Product Engineer

• Security Tester

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Security AdministrationField of Work:

System Security, OS hardening, patching,

Network Security, Firewall, IDS/IPS, SIEM,PKI

Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing

Incident Response

Troubleshooting and fixing security issues

Awareness and Training

Identity and Access Management

IT Audits

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Security Administration

Typical Skills required:

Solid understanding of Operating Systems

OSI Model, TCP/IP Stack, DNS, Routing, Switching, HTTP,

SSL, LAN, WAN, DNS, DHCP, Routing, Wi-Fi, and VoIP.

Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), IPS, Routers,

Switches

Antivirus, Content filters

Databases

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Security Administration (cont..) Scripting (highly desirable & makes like easier): Unix,

PERL,Python, Windows Shell Scripting

Data mining

Protocol dissection

Exposure and knowledge of various security best practices

and standards like ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, Common Criteria,

PCI-DSS and etc

Good Documentation and Communications skills

Appetite for Learning

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Certifications & Resources:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional

(CISSP) from ISC2

• SANS Global Information Assurance Certifications (GIAC)

• Security +

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• ISO 27001Implementor /Internal Auditor / Lead Auditor

• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

• Vendor Certifications from Checkpoint, Symantec, Juniper,

Cisco and etc http://vprasanna.com

Popular Job Titles include:

• IT Security Manager• Network Security Administrator• Security Analyst• Security Administrator

Involves hands on work generally and partly managerial as well.

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Security Management

Field of work:

More of Auditing, Compliance, Governance & Risk

Management

Compliance to standards like ISO27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA,

Information Systems Audits

Security Awareness Trainings and evaluation

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.

Covers IT as well as Non-IT aspects of Security in an

Organization

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Security Management

Typical Skills:

Good understanding of Auditing standards, Networks, System level Security hardening mechanism Risk Assessment and mitigation strategies Standards & Compliances ISO27001, Common Criteria, COBIT,GLBA SOX Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI –DSS) IT Legal concepts Indian IT Act 2000 Data Privacy Laws & Regulations Good Documentation and Communications skills

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Certifications & Resources:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional

(CISSP) from ISC2

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) from ISACA

• Certified Information Systems Manager(CISM) from ISACA

• ISO 27001Implementor /Internal Auditor / Lead Auditor

• Cyber Law

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Popular Job Titles include:

• Information Security Manager• IT Risk Manager• Chief Information Security Officer• Chief Privacy Officer • Chief Risk Officer

These positions involves more of managerial responsibilities and limited hands on as well

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• Certification compliments the skills and experience

• Give yourself sufficient time and experience to see catch up with the requirements

• Go for the certifications that are accredited by the recognized organizations

• Don’t get certified for the heck of it, rather the whole process from studying to certifying should be an enriching experience

NOTE: Nothing substitutes right skills & experience

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Should I get Certified ?

Does Certifying pay me more?

http://packetverify.com

Survey from ISC2 says, Yes.

Statistics: Global Workforce Study www.isc2.org

Write-ups and Blogs on Security..

• NIST

• SANS Security Resources

• EFF

• Openwall

• Naked Security

• Bruce Schneier on Security

• Krebs on Security

• Open Web Application Security Project

• Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM)

• Google Summer Of Code

• Insecure.org Mailing lists

• CERTs http://vprasanna.com

Hackers & Entertainment

• Wargames

• The Matrix

• Italian Job

• Swordfish

• Pirates of Silicon Valley

• Takedown

• & many more.......

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Background about this presentation

Please note that this is not a definitive guide about

starting or building a career in security. I used to get

questions on this subject and thought of skills that

helped me in my InfoSec Career. I have put these

here and believe it could help you in your InfoSec

career journey.

May The Force Be With You

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What I do?

I am a Information Security professional :)

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Thank You

@terminalfixvprasanna.com

Prasanna Venkatesh