How To E-learn Your Way To An Internet Security Career

2009-04-15 Word Count: 912 Category: College

In a mere 15 years or so, an entirely new sub-specialty of security has grown to be one of the most exciting and swiftly evolving fields in which to work. Internet security is a vitally important issue for individuals, small businesses in every industry, corporations of every type and governments around the world. Skilled Internet security specialists can work in any of these settings, developing and implementing network security policies and procedures. If you have a natural talent for systematic thinking, regardless of your current level of computer expertise, and are interested in one or more information technology (IT) disciplines, an Internet security degree program may be what you are seeking.

You may be employed at present, or be unable to attend a brick-and-mortar school or institute, so you need a more flexible approach to your education. E-learning is an educational approach that uses both "virtual classrooms" on the web as well as other CBT (computer based training) materials like CDs, DVDs, PDF files and other downloads. It can be strictly structured with class times and test schedules, or it can be self-paced and self-guided. E-learning, in fact, can be whatever each student and school mutually determine that it will be in their particular situation, tailored in such a way as to fit schedules, expectations, career goals-and budgets, too.

The job market news

Depending on your ultimate goal and which certificates and/or degrees you may be seeking, Internet security e-learning can teach you everything from Internet site administration, local and global security protocols, the fundamentals of networking, hardware architecture, communication technologies and much more. There are jobs that entail just one of these specialty areas, or some combination of them, while other positions demand a broader set of skills. There are many different sets and subsets of specialization, but the amount of confusion has been reduced significantly in recent years by the standardization of job descriptions (and their use of precise terminology).

In a January 2009 study of the online/IT security job market, Jeff Reava of the "Information Security Strategy" blog finds that "candidates with a security certification have an edge over non-certified candidates" because nearly half (47%) of all the security job listings he examined said certification was "a requirement." Crunching the numbers further, Reava discovers that "around 20% described certification as 'required' or 'highly desirable.'" Clearly, there is security work to be done and there are security jobs to be filled, and a degree or certificate is a key part of a successful application package.

Kinds of expertise, types of certificates

Reava concludes that CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is the credential most commonly requested, although not by much. Further, there is a veritable alphabet soup of other certifications such as GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification), CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) and the many that derive from specific technology firms like Cisco, Apple, Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat and VMWare. It is up to you, the student (with help if necessary), to assess your interests and existing skills and determine if a broader or narrower focus would be best for your Internet security career.

Another interesting result of Reava's research is that the certifications matter more than the number of years of experience. Fully 30% of the job listings he analyzes "expected two or fewer years of prior relevant work history." Reava says that the IT industry has "generally standardized on which certifications and skills are expected, but not the level of experience associated with those skills that represent appropriate minimum requirements." What this means in practice is that the training and certification carry the most weight, although relevant work experience can't hurt, of course.

Curricula vs. methodology

You can find the same general courses at many schools, and the content is standardized for a simple reason. The examinations required for a certain certificate are built around an industry-standard definition, all the more so for those certificates that attest to expertise with certain companies' software or hardware products (Cisco, as a prime example). With the content standardized, students must consider other factors when determining where to go for their education. For many people, e-learning is the obvious choice.

You can most efficiently e-learn your way to a career in Internet security with an online approach that is flexible, and that can be tailored to your real-world schedule. Not only do you have coursework moving at your own speed, or even different speeds depending upon your changing schedule, you will find that the best, most reputable e-learning providers do not simply "throw you to the wolves." You will likely have a mentor, which may or may not be your teacher, and you will enjoy all the benefits of being a valued student at a school that, unlike your public junior high, can only stay in business if it satisfies its student customers.

With webcams costing $10 to $20, and free video-calling software, the price point for getting personal attention in distance learning has been brought about as low as it can go-not to mention that many new computers have the webcams built in. Using chat programs, video calling, e-mail, shared desktop technologies and other communications protocols that have been standard on PCs and Macintoshes for several years already, e-learning with the right teachers can be integrated easily into your lifestyle, no matter how busy or fast-paced.

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