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I am a current US Army Reservist (about to retire). I would like to become a Security Consultant.

Veteran

Will Gray Willoughby, OH

I have a Masters in Cyber Security. Some of the tools I am familiar with are black box testing, gray box testing and white box testing ( penetration testing using Kali Linux ). I do network auditing as well. I need guidance on how to build my brand and get out and help stop the bad guys. Tools I use are Metasploit, Nessus, NMAP, Wireshark and Snort configuration setup.

Last I do write reports. I understand the devil in the details in BIA and BCP. I am keen on security policy crafting and do have a personality. I spent a lot of time in grad school along with my Army training I really need guidance on becoming that laser focus consultant.

Thanks

Will

19 May 2016 4 replies Mentoring

Answers

Advisor

George Wilhelmsen Rochelle, IL

Would you consider working for Exelon? We have a job posted right now for a Security Specialist Infrastructure Protection in Washington, D.C. Exelon offers a competitive compensation package, and we would like to see your resume.

Our jobs are posted in a variety of places, and can generally be found on Monster and Simply Hired, among others.

https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_pepcoholdingsinc/external/gateway.do?functionName=viewFromLink&jobPostId=7093&localeCode=en-us&src=CWS-10026

I have attached a link above - I'm not sure it will work. Please check us out!

Advisor

Donald Kowalewski Kissimmee, FL

Oracle is hiring now - stated 15,000 needed at our conference last month in Orlando. They will train to 'their' cybersecurity infrastructure. Starting (B.S. 80K, M.S. was higher)

Advisor

Jenny Voigt Austin, TX

Hi, Will - As with anything else, the key is getting that first opportunity so that you have a reference you can use for the next role. It sounds like you are thinking you might want to be a consultant rather than an employee. In other words, that you might like to jump from project to project rather than working for the same company all the time. There are two ways to do this.

First, you could start your own business and build your consulting reputation from the ground up. This can be difficult because you are only getting paid when you have a client and of course you are also the one negotiating terms, putting together the engagement contract, etc. if you choose to go that way, I would suggest that you do some fact finding conversations with people who already have consulting businesses so that you can get insight into what to do and what to avoid. Then it is a matter of building your client base. For that I would suggest that you start with a small company in your target market industry- smaller companies are generally more willing to take a chance on someone new.

The second option is to do the consultant gig through a company that already has clients that need security assistance. There are two routes for this as well. One is to submit your resume to higher tech staffing agencies - Robert Half Technology, Modis, etc. In many cases, these agencies also have a secondary arm that provides consulting to their clients for projects. You may also want to target smaller staffing agencies as well since they tend to be hungrier for business and may market you more aggressively than larger agencies.

Best of luck to you!

Advisor

Kevin Trosine Oviedo, FL

Hi Will,
It sounds like you have an extensive background in security, and that's a good place to be these days. Do you also have security certifications [e.g. CISSP, CEH, etc.]? If so those are very attractive to companies hiring security professionals.
We have an extensive security practice at Verizon so you may want to reach out to our recruiter who specializes in working with military vets [thomas.jones1@verizon.com].

Good luck on your transition and Thank-you for your service!

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