Specialise to survive?

[mike.mikemiller at gmail.com (Michael Miller)]

Mick,

I totally agree with you.  Even the rant half.

-mmiller

On Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 1:55 PM, Michael Douglas<mick at pauldotcom.com> wrote:
> It all depends on what sort of a career you want to have.  If you want
> to find a job pretty easily and have a great variety in what your
> day-to-day gig looks like, I think being a generalist is a valid
> option.  However, if you have the inclination and want to focus on
> just one aspect of InfoSec you can do that too.  Be sure to checkout
> what your local market will pay for each.  Sometimes specializing can
> be very lucrative, unless perhaps you're focusing on something too
> niche (forensic analysis of devorak keyboards for AS/400 systems
> emulating Apple IIc systems).
>
> Also remember, it's only money... you should view your time as far
> more important.  If you don't believe in your job and really enjoy or
> find what you're doing interesting, you do need to start looking
> elsewhere.  Do NOT become a cow-orker. We (geeks) make very poor
> sheeple.
>
> <rant>
> If you really want to get me frothy in the mouth start saying stuff
> like  "jack of all trades, master of none".  Why? It's a LIE.
> Assuming no cognitive impermanent or organic brain damage, one can
> become really good at any number of computer based skills.  I honestly
> believe the idea that someone HAS to focus on just one thing is a
> misguided "truth" perpetuated by those who are lacking skills
> themselves.  (also bear in mind two things -- first I'm not professing
> to be a general know-it-all for computer stuff.  Second, I've had too
> much caffeine. Again.  So this answer should be read as 30% less
> ranty)
> </rant>
>
> Maybe we should have an InfoSec career round-table on the show
> sometime soon.  Any votes on this?  If you like the idea, please send
> some questions our way!
>
> - Mick
>
>
> On Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 10:52 AM, Robert
> Portvliet<robert.portvliet at gmail.com> wrote:
> > What do you guys think of this article?
> >
> > http://darkreading.com/blog/archives/2009/08/specialization.html
> >
> > Do you feel it's better to study different areas of infosec (incident
> > handling AND penetration testing, for instance) or do you think it's
> > best to pick one area & focus all your efforts on learning everything
> > you can about it?
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