Security Basics mailing list archives
Re: OS to know.
From: Kurt <kryptology () gmail com>
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 18:49:34 -0400
The bottom line is that the majority of *auditing tools* are written for a *nix platform, primarily Linux, and Red Hat/Fedora and SUSE taking the lion's share of the distros. As such, it is important to understand how to use *nix systems, AND develop C/C++ code on them, as well as some familiarity with shell scripts and a language like Perl or Python. I suggest starting with Red Hat/Fedora Linux and then if you have time, look at a BSD like FreeBSD. This will help you familiarize yourself with the *nix utilities, environment, layout, and capabilities. I happened to start on Solaris in college, and then I worked on FreeBSD and Linux at home. As far as what systems you will be most likely to *administer* in the private sector, this is going to be Microsoft Windows of various flavors, and possibly Cisco or Juniper devices if you are going to work on things other than network endpoints. If you are truly dedicated, it is worth it to buy an old Cisco router and/or managed switch to get a feel for IOS. While the security world is run by a bunch of *nix geeks, the corporate world you are most likely to deal with is MS - they own the market. You will be trying to figure out how to keep LANs as secure as possible when your corporation demands that every Windows service under the sun be turned on. You may have to support and secure NT4, even when MS doesn't. You will have to know MS Active Directory, Exchange, etc... That will be your day to day reality and nightmare if market share is a predictor of the environment you are likely to audit and administer someday. Being a Windows expert is definitely a good idea. There are lots of Windows machines out there, and we all know they can use the help.
-----Original Message----- From: John Williams [mailto:ibmros () hotmail com] Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 1:42 AM To: security-basics () securityfocus com Subject: OS to know. I am a graduate student at George Mason University obtaining my MS in Information Security and Assurance. What operating system is used more for security administration in the private sector versus the government sector? Pretty much I would like to know what operating system I should focus on if I wanted to pursue a government career in security or if I wanted to purse a career in the private sector. Thanks. Mark Jacobs _________________________________________________________________ On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there! http://lifeevents.msn.com/category.aspx?cid=Retirement
Current thread:
- Re: OS to know., (continued)
- Re: OS to know. Patrick (Oct 17)
- Re: OS to know. crazy frog crazy frog (Oct 18)
- Re: OS to know. Josh Tolley (Oct 14)
- Re: OS to know. John Melton (Oct 17)
- RE: OS to know. Security (Oct 17)
- Re: OS to know. Mark Owen (Oct 14)
- Re: OS to know. Michael Gale (Oct 31)
- Re: OS to know. Adam Kane (Oct 31)
- RE: OS to know. Depp, Dennis M. (Oct 18)
- Re: OS to know. Alloishus BeauMains (Oct 18)
- Re: OS to know. Kurt (Oct 18)
- Restricting logins by IP address Keenan Smith (Oct 21)
- Re: Restricting logins by IP address ilaiy (Oct 24)
- Re: Restricting logins by IP address Alexander Klimov (Oct 25)
- Re: Restricting logins by IP address Justin (Oct 24)
- Re: Restricting logins by IP address Netops (Oct 31)
- Re: OS to know. Netops (Oct 31)