What Master or course to study in IT Security?

[Carlos <zubero () teleline es>]

Hi list,

I'd like to have your point of view (or piece of advice) about this 
professional doubt:

After 5 years of experience as a Systems Administrator/Technician I'd 
like to move to IT Security, mostly to pen testing, assessment and 
analyzing and not support tasks. During these years, I've obtained a few 
related certifications. Also, I've been studying Computer Science at 
University and I'm now in my last course (I hope so). After this, I'd 
like to continue studying something more focused in IT Security and to 
start working in Security projects (at University or (non)private 
company). About studies, I'd rather something in the way of University 
education, maybe thinking in Researching (i. e. Criptography) in future. 
Then, I thought that a Master in Security could be a good choice, but I 
have the doubt whether it would be more effective to stop studying at 
University after graduating and to work harder to find an interesting 
job and to increase my knowledge by myself; if certifications are a 
better way or if Security Researching is not such an interesting 
professional way as I thought.

I found a few technical Masters and Graduate Programs with 
specialization in Security in some Universities that I took as a reference:
- Stanford --> http://cs.stanford.edu/degrees/mscs/classes/planning/
- Berkeley -->
- UAB (Spain) --> 
http://www.uab.es/servlet/Satellite/postgraduate/phd-s/engineering/general-information/Satellite?cid=1096480962610&pagename=UAB/Page/TemplatePageDetallEstudisPOP&param1=1096480164072


Thank you,

Carlos.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
This list is sponsored by: Information Assurance Certification Review Board

Prove to peers and potential employers without a doubt that you can actually do a proper penetration test. IACRB CPT and CEPT certs require a full practical examination in order to become certified. 

http://www.iacertification.org
------------------------------------------------------------------------