I.T Network Security

[Accord8819]

Hi everyone, I want to change my career and I've always had a passion for I.T I want to finally study something in I.T security related in 2016. Can anyone please offer up some insight on the most relevant courses and some mentoring advise if possible. Thanks in advance

 

[SauRoNZA]

Certified Ethical Hacker probably your best and most sought after option.

 

[shadow_man]

Yep or CISSP | GSEC | CSIM or even security+ if you've got no experience.

 

[Zipkoppie]

It really depends on your current level of knowledge and what type of security you want to do.
You will need a solid understanding of networking as a prerequisite for most entry level security certifications.
It also depends if you want to do penetration testing (ethical hacking) or more the defensive side like firewalls, AV that sort of stuff.
If it's pentesting you are interested in, I would suggest www.offensive-security.com don't waste your time with the certified ethical hacker certification. Most people working in the field will agree that it's not worth much. My company won't even invite you for an interview if that's the only pentesting certification you have.
You will also need to be pretty solid on Linux if you want to do pentesting.

 

[RoganDawes]

Learn as much networking as you can, being IP, ARP, ICMP, routing, then TCP/UDP, then learn about the higher level protocols such as DNS, HTTP(S), etc. Understand what is actually happening "on the wire", so to speak. Tools such as Wireshark can be invaluable for understanding low level networking. Intercepting proxies such as ZAP, Burp, etc are great for understanding what is going on in HTTP(s) sessions.

Also look at things from the other end of the stack. Do some development of network apps, web sites, etc, etc. The best security folk I know have insight into both sides. Attack from "below", but also understand what is likely going on in the application as well.

Courses such as CEH, etc are VERY dependent on the quality of the trainer. If you are going to do a course, find out who will be giving the course, and research that person to see what their qualifications are, as well as any feedback on their abilities as a trainer are.