RE: Pen-testing Internships?

["Meidinger Chris" <chris.meidinger () badenIT de>]

This topic would interest me greatly as well - though I pen-test from
time to time I mostly do more general security work. 

I'd love to hear any tips or ideas you guys may have about breaking into
the pen-testing field full time, which seems to me to be the only to
maintain a high standard of quality.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Erin Carroll [mailto:amoeba () amoebazone com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2006 7:26 PM
> To: rkraus () unguarded org
> Cc: pen-test () securityfocus com
> Subject: Re: Pen-testing Internships?
>
>
> All,
>
> I let this one on to the list more to discuss internships and 
> various ways 
> to obtain a working portfolio/knowledge in general and what 
> list members 
> have done or seen work in the past. If you wish to address Rob Kraus' 
> specific interests (internship offers etc) please email him 
> directly to 
> reduce list clutter. I'd really prefer Rob's submission kick off a 
> discussion which would apply to anyone seeking working experience in 
> pen-testing.
>
>
>
> On Wed, 7 Jun 2006, rkraus () unguarded org wrote:
>
> > Hello List!
> >
> > I have been monitoring this list for some time now and find 
> it to be a
> > very good resource for learning and collaboration among IT Security
> > professionals. Here is my dilemma. I am fairly well versed 
> in network
> > security and spend as much time as I can in learning more 
> and applying
> > what I already know. My IT experience in design and 
> implementation is
> > fairly good and work with customers daily to provide 
> reliable solution to
> > concerns and expanding infrastructure.
> >
> > My goal is ultimately to become a full-time penetration 
> tester and network
> > security analyst. Even though with my experience I do not feel 100%
> > comfortable with offering these services to customers at 
> this time simply
> > because I have not been field tested in the area of 
> penetration testing as
> > of yet. At least not on a customer-provider type of relationship.
> >
> > The next logical step for me is to try and gain experience 
> to add to my
> > portfolio and reputation. I guess the nitty-gritty of 
> things is that I
> > need to put myself where I am working beside professionals 
> in the field to
> > gain experience directly.
> >
> > My questions are:
> >
> > 1.  Does anyone know of any opportunities to work beside 
> people in the
> > field now, an internship possible? (I am not looking for pay, just
> > experience)
> > 2.  Does anyone know if there is mentor type program to 
> help me get to my
> > goals?
> > 3.  Is there anyone on this list that would be able or 
> willing to provide
> > me with the opportunity of such a position?
> >
> > I know this sounds straight forward, as I usually like to 
> get to the point
> > of things. At this point even having a person like me doing nmap and
> > general footprinting as an apprentice would even make me 
> happy. I would
> > also be open to a phone interview for such a position just 
> to elaborate on
> > what my capabilities are currently. Even if there is no 
> opportunity out
> > there I would be very happy if someone would even just talk 
> to me offline
> > via phone so I can explain where I am at and maybe give me 
> some advice to
> > get me to where I want to go.
> >
> > I would be interested in any advice from the list on both 
> technical and
> > business side of penetration testing/security auditing to broaden my
> > knowledge.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Rob Kraus
> > San Antonio, Texas
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> >
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------
> This List Sponsored by: Cenzic
>
> Concerned about Web Application Security? 
> Why not go with the #1 solution - Cenzic, the only one to win 
> the Analyst's 
> Choice Award from eWeek. As attacks through web applications 
> continue to rise, 
> you need to proactively protect your applications from 
> hackers. Cenzic has the 
> most comprehensive solutions to meet your application 
> security penetration 
> testing and vulnerability management needs. You have an 
> option to go with a 
> managed service (Cenzic ClickToSecure) or an enterprise software 
> (Cenzic Hailstorm). Download FREE whitepaper on how a managed 
> service can 
> help you: http://www.cenzic.com/news_events/wpappsec.php 
> And, now for a limited time we can do a FREE audit for you to 
> confirm your 
> results from other product. Contact us at request () cenzic com 
> for details.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This List Sponsored by: Cenzic

Concerned about Web Application Security?
Why not go with the #1 solution - Cenzic, the only one to win the Analyst's
Choice Award from eWeek. As attacks through web applications continue to rise,
you need to proactively protect your applications from hackers. Cenzic has the
most comprehensive solutions to meet your application security penetration
testing and vulnerability management needs. You have an option to go with a
managed service (Cenzic ClickToSecure) or an enterprise software
(Cenzic Hailstorm). Download FREE whitepaper on how a managed service can
help you: http://www.cenzic.com/news_events/wpappsec.php
And, now for a limited time we can do a FREE audit for you to confirm your
results from other product. Contact us at request () cenzic com for details.
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