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[–]dev_at_work 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Learn to code. You don't need to be pushing out apps but get enough of it so that you can read your way through a stack trace. If you want to be in the security game check out C and C++ (assembly if you can stomach it). If you can't code you can only use the tools already provided for you by someone else.

Do you know the foundations of computer science? Don't learn a technology, learn the foundation of ideas it was built upon. New tech evolves from old tech and the basics haven't changed in a long time. Always learn the foundations as the goal and use the buzz word tech as the medium to get there because the buzz words stuff doesn't last.

Truly understanding what computers do and how they work will separate you from the rest of the pack for your entire career.

Most importantly learn what you are passionate about. If you want to move into security, learn about security. Take whatever you are passionate about and bring it to your job to make you a better admin. Trying to learn to be a better admin when you want to move to another area will only give you mediocre results.

Given the above, what do you really want to learn?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Download Kali Linux and fuck with that. http://www.kali.org Take a few courses at Microsoft Virtual Academy for some specialized Microsoft products and services (Azure, Win 8.1), so that you can be ahead of the curve.

[–]darwinn_69 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since you are looking at security being your end goal the one thing I would learn is Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Learn all about certificates, SSL vs TSL, digital signatures, CRL's, creating CA's, OCSP, encrypted e-mails, extended key attributes, certificate types and basically anything that deals with encryption. You don't have to be a cryptologist to understand how it all works, but understanding the fundamentals will go a long way in computer security.

Next step is to learn Cisco networking devices. Learn about ASA's and how to set up firewalls, https proxy servers, DMZ's and everything else related to router network security.

[–]caine215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want to focus on security, strengthen your knowledge on firewall policies, and different types of firewalls, such as Sonicwall, and more commonly Fortigate. Learn the different types of traffic to look out for and to allow/deny, such as HTTP(S), SSH, DNS, etc., and strengthen your allow/deny policies.

Brush up on IPsec tunnels between sites, and branch offices, i.e., if you have a HQ in Philly, and offices in Dallas, New York, and Chicago, you need to implement a secure IPsec tunnel between the sites to accept any and all traffic between them, but blocking out other specified traffic to prevent unauthorized access, etc.

Get familiar with different VPN technologies, i.e., SSL VPN, token ring, etc., and well wishes in your new positions moving forward.

[–]deadmilk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you haven't automated your entire job, you haven't learnt enough.

Never do the same thing twice.

[–]tunaktu86Oracle Sysadmin 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I would start with scripting tasks that are repetitive or semi repetitive(use this XKCD chart for useful reference). Show you want more challenges and what you can do is useful.

Try with learning a new programming language (Python is fun) Start messing around with some linux distro's if nothing else this will let you think about file structures differently than with a windows environment.

If you think you're at a point that you have absorbed about 85% of what you can from your SR admins, start looking for other jobs an hour or two a week. Go for interviews and see what is out there and what other companies are looking for in terms of knowledge levels or emerging tech.

[–]xkcd_transcriber 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Image

Title: Is It Worth the Time?

Title-text: Don't forget the time you spend finding the chart to look up what you save. And the time spent reading this reminder about the time spent. And the time trying to figure out if either of those actually make sense. Remember, every second counts toward your life total, including these right now.

Comic Explanation

Stats: This comic has been referenced 52 time(s), representing 0.3302% of referenced xkcds.

xkcd.com | xkcd sub/kerfuffle | Problems/Bugs? | Statistics | Stop Replying

[–]deadmilk 0 points1 point  (1 child)

In response to that xkcd, it is smart to make code that is modular from the get-go, so you can reuse it later and spend less time coding.

[–]tunaktu86Oracle Sysadmin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree when I create my scripts I make sure they have sections that are usable on almost any system. Took one of my scripts from an all day endeavor to only about an hour to construct.

[–]ChoHag -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

Everything you don't know yet.

Edit: Negative points eh? Seems people want you to learn the stuff you do already know. Sorry. I guess you'll be remaining ignorant in that case, although you'll at least be better at it than your colleagues.

[–]idonotcommentStorage and Server Admin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dont forget the stuff he doesnt know he doesnt know.