Hi, help me? Network Security (2 Viewers)

[BigBadBader]

hi, im just wondering which uni might have Network security as an option to study?

im interested in that kind of stuff.

thanks

 

[BigBadBader]

cmon people, reply something!

 

[Gigacube]

UTS and UOW have IT degrees which allow you to major in something relating to networks. TAFE is also offering a degree in IT with a major relating to networks.

 

[brent012]

Depends what you want to get into, need more info before we can give you good suggestions. Anti virus/security companies want people passionate and knowledgable about computer networks but i'm pretty sure they would also like backgrounds in programming or computer science in addition that. On the other hand if you just want to get into maintaning and setting up networks an IT degree or a CCNA is probably a good start. The other thing is at the moment there are a wide range of courses involving computing and they differ largely between unis so if you can demonstrate passion, knowledge and/or experience in a certain field the particular course or majors you choose won't hold you back.

 

[BigBadBader]

yeh, i was just looking into the course structure and the electives. i saw that UTS has them.

i also checked lidcombe TAFE, they are certified by Cisco and have stuff to do with networks.

im not into the IT Support "my net is not working fix it pl0x" thing, im into the part where i get into the network and discover vulnerabilities and exploit them, then i go to the "client", tell them what i did, fix it, cash in. Orrrr i head over to Canberra and work for the government, ASIO or the DSD. Cool Shiz.
Sorry on being blunt but my cousin does this for Cisco overseas but he doesn't really know the Australian UNI system. one thing that he told me is that in this type of work there is no Public or Private Sector, "its who pays more and has the cooler toys." he started with government then went to Cisco, no need for explanation.

ive always been interested in this type of work and hoping to get some advice from anyone who even remotely has some experience.

 

[BigBadBader]

hate to say the word from all the bad headlines its been getting in the last couple of years but its like White Hat Hacking.

 

[brent012]

Tbh, to get into "White hat hacking" you'll need skills well beyond the scope of any uni or TAFE course.

 

[Cyberbully]

Unsw. Comp9447.

 

[BigBadBader]

developed interest of networks at the age of 9 in Saudi Arabia where i used to live, dad worked for Cisco, his job was to set up networks for enterprises and stuff like that and keep them protected. i got interested in that kind of stuff and until early last year being a white hat wasnt in the picture for me.

i wanted to do something with IT, i like software but its not my thing. i feel like a turd saying this but i didnt even know you can specialize in something at uni. now, having the options it would only seem right to pursue something that i am fond of.

i see that you are doing ICT Engineering(Software), what is that? what are you doing now? and what kind of jobs are you looking at?

thanks xD

 

[BigBadBader]

and there it is, ty cyberbully. what kind of course do you recommend i take with this?>

 

[Roscosmos]

Your best bet is probably a computer science degree, and you can go specialize in security or something similar. Those TAFE certifications are pretty much useless.

Have a look at this,

http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2013/3978.html

the computer networks major looks like what you're talking about.

 

[brent012]

i see that you are doing ICT Engineering(Software), what is that? what are you doing now? and what kind of jobs are you looking at?

ICT Engineering (Software) at UTS is the equivalent of a Software Engineering degree at universities which offer that, they've just grouped it with some similiar kind of majors (telecom and computer systems) to make a generic ICT major where you sub major in something. So i'm pretty much doing programming stuff (well actually, lots of Eng core) and looking into a job somewhere down that line at the moment.

 

[jdoorn]

Here's an easy way to figure this out: LinkedIn. Pick a dream job, find a person who has it, and look up that person on LinkedIn to see where he/she attended school. For instance, if you're interested in IT consulting, find an IT consulting company, like these guys: http://www.rjssmartsecurity.com/
Then, find them on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/rjs-smart-security), find the person whose job you'd like, and check out their school. Like this guy: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=3907525&authType=name&authToken=ATIT&trk=hb_upphoto
Boom! Colleges found.

 

[Shad0w_St3p]

Definitely Deakin. They have a direct IT Security course, and many of their graduates have gone on to be pentesters, white hat hackers, and IT forensic experts for the DSD/ASIO etc.

I am currently in my second year of the course; and yes application is everything, but the theory/knowledge of software dev and cryptography i'm getting is great.

Also I know that swinburne has a network security course.

 

[BigBadBader]

i decided to go for the Bach Science in IT at UTS.
i heard that it has a great course and it practically all hands on which is great xDDD

 

[-may-cat-]

im into the part where i get into the network and discover vulnerabilities and exploit them, then i go to the "client", tell them what i did, fix it, cash in.

This is exactly what my boyfriend does, i think they call it penetration testing.

He did CompSci at UNSW, with average marks. Worked as a code monkey for two years after graduation to get some experience, then got a great job as a Security Consultant at a different company.

I can ask him more about it if you like.

 

[BigBadBader]

This is exactly what my boyfriend does, i think they call it penetration testing.

He did CompSci at UNSW, with average marks. Worked as a code monkey for two years after graduation to get some experience, then got a great job as a Security Consultant at a different company.

I can ask him more about it if you like.

OHHHH yes pretty please, a pentester in real life!

questions for him:

What does he do? Networking or Coding or both?
does he recommend the UNSW Comp science, or will any IT related course do. im thinking of Bach Science in IT at UTS.

How was his course at uni? hands on?

what did he do for his work experience and where?

Does he make good money? is he a contractor or a full time salary?

im a good coder if i say so myself but its not what i like. i want to be a straight Network Security Specialist, do i need to know my programming?

what languages does he use? Python, perl, C, C++?

Thanks and sorry if im annoying xDD

 

[-may-cat-]

I won't see him until tomorrow afternoon, so i'll get back to you around then.

 

[BigBadBader]

okay thanks

 

[-may-cat-]

just caught him on fb actually...


What does he do? Networking or Coding or both?

I've done both networking and coding in the past. In terms of Pentesting, it's mostly network based. Internet and External network audits.

I rarely do program audits or code reviews.

I used to work as a programmer though...

does he recommend the UNSW Comp science, or will any IT related course do. im thinking of Bach Science in IT at UTS.


How was his course at uni? hands on?

I do recommend Comp Sci. It's what I did and I think it's probably the best suited course for someone who wants to do pentesting.
Comp Sci at UNSW yes.

UNSW have a new Pentesting society that might interest you.

Being a Pentester involves knowing a little bit about a lot of different things. The Comp Sci degree is very free in that you can choose from a lot of subjects without much restriction.

My program was pretty good. Not much to do with security. But it's like that everywhere. Most of what I know was self taught.

I think it's a good balance of theory and prac, but it depends a lot on the specific course.

(In regards to B. Science in IT at UTS):

Fuck... It's all the same!

I haven't heard anything about that course, so I can't say.

But choose a program (and a uni) that offers the courses that you want.

No one cares what written on your piece of paper after you've graduated. What matters is your ability to prove that you know what you're talking about.

Don't get me wrong, the actual degree is important. But just make sure UTS offer the courses that you want to do.

If you want to do pentesting, program flexibility is pretty important, I'd say.


what did he do for his work experience and where?

This program [CompSci at UNSW) didn't involve work experience. But I did work at a physical security company called Pacom writing software in C#. This was while I was at uni.


Does he make good money? is he a contractor or a full time salary?

At the moment i'm full time. Fresh out of uni you can expect somewhere between 50k and 60k per year.

This will quickly increase when you can show that you're able to do your job independently.


im a good coder if i say so myself but its not what i like. i want to be a straight Network Security Specialist, do i need to know my programming?

Programming helps. I rarely write full scale applications as a pentester, but I do write scripts in Python and Bash to help with the task.

You should know enough about various languages to be able to understand how vulnerabilities occur.


what languages does he use? Python, perl, C, C++?

I know C, C#, Java, Python, Bash, PHP...
A little Perl.
But surprisingly, not C++... =p

Let me get you some resources that helped me a lot.
My top piece of advice:
http://blog.g0tmi1k.com/
Read every blog post. Watch every video and make sure you understand what's going on. If you don't, research!
And then, do it yourself.
It's a world of difference between reading about it and actually doing it.
Personally, I learn the most when I do it by hand.
Invest in VMWare Workstation (legally or not, no one will care).
It's great for setting up a lab environment and will save you thousands on building physical machines.
OH!
This site features VMs that are "Vulnerable by Design".
http://vulnhub.com/
They are good to play with.
This is THE operating system for hackers/pentesters
http://www.kali.org/
I use it daily.

I wouldn't advise testing your skills on real companies. They don't like it and it could land you in a lot of trouble.
I know a guy facing 10 years jail for simply defacing a government website.