Security Basics mailing list archives
Re: A question on security postgraduate programs
From: "some randomer" <some.randomer () gmail com>
Date: Wed, 23 May 2007 10:02:00 -0700
On 5/22/07, Katelyn Rowlands <knr () uid0x00 org> wrote:
> I'm a 3rd year computer science student and and I've a strong interest > in security. Primarily, vulnerability research/reverse engineering. At > the moment I'm trying to decide what to do after I finish University. I'm also in a very similar position right now. I am about to graduate in June with a BSc Computer Science and I want a career in security research. > I would like to work in vulnerability research or pen testing when I'm > finished so I'm wondering if I'm better off attempting to find work > straight away after I finish or getting some other qualifications > first? Also if someone could recommend some decent masters/postgrad > courses that would be cool. One very good course in the UK is the MSc Information Security at UCL (http://mscinfosec.adastral.ucl.ac.uk). The fees are very high, but apparently the course is very well taught and is aimed at people who intend to work in industry afterwards. It's certainly a technical course, and UCL is a respected place.
I had a look at that course and it looks fairly interesting and relatively comprehensive. I was talking to a few other people since I sent the initial email and I'm now considering whether I might be better off doing some sort of Msc in Operating systems or parallel/distributed systems. The reason being, from looking at most Security based courses I seem to know most of the stuff they are teaching and I don't think a lot of them would add much to my knowledge in the area of vulnerability research/pen testing/exploiting whereas a course in Operating systems or whatever would be sufficiently technical to aid in vuln research and at the same time open other doors as well if I ever decide I get tired of 0days ;) I have one other question for anyone working as a pen tester/vulnerability researcher. What are my chances of getting a job based on my current degree and ability to demonstrate what I know? e.g vuln research, creating exploits, knowledge of pen testing. Cheers for all the responses.
I have a place on the above course, but have been advised to do a research MSc instead, as this is more suitable for future research work. I think it depends if you're going into the research side of things, or the industry side. If you don't know, it's always possible to do a Masters course while also finding a student placement and gaining experience, doing certs etc. - Katelyn
Current thread:
- A question on security postgraduate programs some randomer (May 22)
- RE: A question on security postgraduate programs David Harley (May 22)
- Re: A question on security postgraduate programs Katelyn Rowlands (May 22)
- Re: A question on security postgraduate programs Zeeshan Arif (May 23)
- Message not available
- Fwd: A question on security postgraduate programs kevin fielder (May 23)
- Re: A question on security postgraduate programs some randomer (May 23)
- Re: A question on security postgraduate programs Drew Masters (May 24)
- Re: A question on security postgraduate programs some randomer (May 23)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: A question on security postgraduate programs krymson (May 22)