There is no straightforward, one size fits all answer to the
question of what qualifications, technologies and sectors IT
security professionals should be looking at to help increase job
security and further their careers,writes John Colley,
managing director, EMEA, at(ISC)2.
First, it depends on the level of knowledge and experience the
individual already has. If they have less than five years'
experience, they should be working towards some sort of
professional qualification. With more than five years' experience,
one would expect the individual already to have some sort of
professional qualification.
Currently there is a huge interest in cloud computing and all
that involves. It is certain that businesses will want to take up
this business model and that security professionals who understand
the threats and vulnerabilities and have looked at ways of using
this technology securely will be in demand. Another area that is
always relevant to the security professional is that of emerging
technologies and also the emerging threats that these give rise
to.
There are a number of events that are available to the security
professional. Some of these are either free to attend or are free
to members of the organisation that is sponsoring the event. The
professional needs to examine their own skills and knowledge base
and attend events that supplement this.
In recent times the traditional security area of the financial
sector has lost some of its lustre and job security and career
progression is not so good in this sector as it has been in the
past. Clearly this situation may change.
Recent salary surveys indicate that some of the growing sectors
are outsourcing organisation, consultancies and the retail sector.
As with all information of this sort, it is good at the time it is
produced but circumstances do change and individuals need to keep
their fingers on the pulse of the industry and understand what is
relevant at any point in time.
Read more expert advice from the Computer Weekly Security Think
Tank >>