Re: [PEN-TEST] How to "break into" the Pen-Testing field

["Frasnelli, Dan" <dfrasnel () COREWAR COM>]

> As for the topic behind your mention of Industry Best Practices, I
> don't advocate application of that phrase in the field of internet
> security; this field is too new, and is evolving too rapidly, for
> there to be any accepted Best Practices. Contrast with e.g. finance,

Sure, thats the point between the lines of my reply.
The phrase 'industry best practice' was invented by lawyers and
management to impress the customers/investors while providing
the spectre of legal protection.  Even in well-established
fields, experience must supplement formal guidelines and
practices.

In the case of Mark T's reference to "high end consulting services"
employing "industry best practices".. I suspect they refer either to
use of specific products (marketing folks like to use that phrase too)
or certifications held by their employees.
Does it make a difference to a potential client's management? Maybe.
Does it make a difference to the technical folks? Not hardly.
Personally, I am more impressed with what someone does behind
a keyboard or handset than what a framed paper claims they can do.

> where for e.g. financial accounting reporting requirements there are
> Industry Best Practices which evolve pretty rapidly, it takes a
> professional to stay on top of them --- but accounting is arguably a
> 5000+- year old field.

Some principles of information security are almost as old.  How
long ago did Sun Tzu compose AoW?

-dan