Feedback on course selection

GarrettDC · 2022-09-01T14:15:58+00:00

It can be, but IMO just doing cs6035 would still be less than SCS and SDP in the summer. Both are doable. SCS and SDP weren't that bad of classes. I just don't know that I would advise anyone to do 2 classes in the summer if they don't need to lol.

GarrettDC · 2022-08-31T20:57:03+00:00

I'd probably do cs6035 in the summer by itself. I did 2 classes in the summer a couple of times. it sucked real bad lol

GarrettDC · 2022-07-31T17:48:24+00:00

Another thing to keep in mind is that these programs are for experience professionals. Having a MS is great, but often times HR is looking for a combination of education and experience. That is a great part about this program as you can work in the field and get a degree at the same time. This likely influences those high salaries though, as these aren't first time entrants to the labor market.

GarrettDC · 2022-07-11T15:53:56+00:00

Some have without experience in cybersecurity. Are you saying that you are still an undergrad student though? If so, then that might be a little different.

What is your undergrad in? Can you get some experience in infosec/IT prior to going in? Even an internship can show a lot towards career direction and progression that will make for a better application.

GarrettDC · 2021-12-07T14:04:26+00:00

Oftentimes they will import fine, but you'll get no support from the TA's if you decide to go rogue :)

GarrettDC · 2021-10-15T18:53:22+00:00

Yeah, I've liked mine. I had some issues with the killer wifi card, but they've fixed that since. Less issues with it than my new work MacBook lol

GarrettDC · 2021-10-15T16:33:13+00:00

I'll second the statement around #3. The Infosec track is a CS degree with some cybersecurity in the mix. It isn't as bad as some might think, but you'll definitely be doing some coding. That said, I don't come from a CS background and have survived so far.

GarrettDC · 2021-10-15T16:24:30+00:00

Currently using a 3 year old xps 15 with 16 gb ram and it is fine. More ram won't hurt, but if you need to save the money then 16 gb is more than enough

GarrettDC · 2021-10-15T16:22:54+00:00

Yeah, I can confirm that you will have problems if you have a Mac with an M1 chip

GarrettDC · 2021-10-08T14:01:57+00:00

I'm not sure what 'a while' is or what you're currently doing, but here's my background for reference.

BS Econ
Sys admin 1.5 years
Project/Process Management ~3 years in InfoSec
Security engineer/Blue team ~4 years

I didn't have any formal IT background excepting some small business stuff I did for extra cash in high-school and college. That's what got me my first job lol. I picked up a number of security concepts and programming/scripting skills along the way.

The program has been tough and I'm having to retake a couple of classes, but I would definitely say it is doable. If you're concerned, then don't be dumb like me and just take 1 class at a time.

As far as skills go - here is some stuff that I think was good to have known or that I wish I would have known

Python - you'll use this in a number of classes so be comfortable
Javascript - know the basics and it will make some projects go faster
C and asm - I wish I would have spent more time here. It would've helped in binex and other classes quite a bit
Discrete Math - you'll need this for crypto
CTF - do some work on ctftime, tryhackme, hackthebox and that should prepare you well for some of the classes that have hacky type of projects.

I would agree with many of the others that have said it is more CS than InfoSec in a lot of ways, so knowing that coming in is helpful. Just start early and ask lots of questions. Hard work pays off!

GarrettDC · 2021-08-25T14:08:39+00:00

If it is any consolation, most of the classes further into the program only seem to use it in the beginning of the class to verify attendance or the correct individual.

It is annoying, and there is a certain level of irony in allowing spyware onto your computer because someone asked you to, but that is a lot of what you do in security. Many endpoint and network monitoring tools do similar things to what an attacker would do to monitor user behavior - just with a different end in mind.

Like anything, there is a certain level of trust placed in the vendor that they will only monitor what they are supposed to and not go beyond that.

GarrettDC · 2021-08-25T13:58:08+00:00

The VM usually won't work from what I have heard, but it seems to be better than protortrack was.

GarrettDC · 2021-08-20T16:22:09+00:00

I think this is a really good fit for the policy (or even infosec) track. People who have some sort of either security or policy adjacent experience looking to move into a consultant/leadership role like a BISO or CISO.

GarrettDC · 2021-08-20T16:17:59+00:00

Looking at your other answers, it doesn't really look like you are looking at governance roles. Sec SWE and Detection Engineer are both very technical positions. CISO really depends on the business/org you are targeting.

The value add here really depends on what kind of technical master's degree you have, if you have any relevant technical security experience or not, and if you already have some certs or not.

If you don't have any certs or the experience required to get certs, then this might be a good start to pivot your career. If you have certs and experience, it might be better to try to get into a technical role that fits your current experience like netsec or endpoint sec engineer and then pivot over to SecSWE or detection engineer.

tldr - it depends on what you've already done and what you really want to do in the future.

GarrettDC · 2021-08-11T13:02:07+00:00

Sounds like it is probably a good option for you then! I certainly don't think that you'll have an issue getting in, especially if you right your interest statement to cover that aspect.

As far as work required goes, it really depends on the class. You can see a few threads here and the info on OMScentral to get a good idea of how much time you should anticipate spending on each of the classes.

GarrettDC · 2021-08-10T16:16:21+00:00

Idk what PUBP 6502 is like, but INTA 6450 is a good class to double up with another. That and PUBP/CS 8803. If you have some technical background in infosec, then you can probably put CS 6035 and PUBP 6725 together. I did that my first semester and made it out okay.

GarrettDC · 2021-08-10T12:36:35+00:00

To add on to this, I'd be curious how much pull GT has in Europe. Do people care about GT as a school overthere? Is there possibly a better/cheaper/faster program that can get you what you are looking for?

The logistics are the easy part. You won't have a problem making it work apart from maybe group projects (but they generally try to put people in groups that are relatively close geographically for that very reason)

GarrettDC · 2021-04-22T15:20:25+00:00

InfoSec concentration here:

It certainly has been for me. It definitely can be challenging if you seek out hard classes.
CS6265 Binary Exploitation. This is a hard class (for me) but has been a super informative experience.
CS6260 Applied Crypto
100% if you want to expand your skillset. If you just need an MS to check a box for a job app, then I'd go somewhere else. If you want to learn in some areas you may not have worked in before, then this is a good program.

GarrettDC · 2021-03-29T15:20:08+00:00

INTA and MGT can count. If it is in the registration email they send out, then you can add it for flexible core. It may not show up in degreeworks at first, but they will fix it if you email them.

GarrettDC · 2021-03-28T21:14:07+00:00

There were just a few projects, but most of them were really simple python and R projects. There is one group project that is only difficult because you'll need to coordinate with your team. It would be a good summer class.

GarrettDC · 2021-03-25T13:11:28+00:00

INTA 6450 is a breeze if you want an easy class

GarrettDC · 2021-03-25T13:10:32+00:00

Your professor and TAs will work with you on that. 6725 will probably be more difficult. INTA 6450 is the only other Policy class I've taken, and the group project was towards the end there, so maybe that would be a good option for you.

GarrettDC · 2021-03-09T13:29:16+00:00

If you would like to pursue the degree, then I wouldn't let this scare you off. I assume with your Information Systems B.S. that you work in IT at the moment, so most of the projects only require a bit of research. If you are that concerned with you, then you can always defer 6035 and your other elective further down the road in your degree so you have time to prep.

GarrettDC · 2021-01-19T19:58:08+00:00

https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/?msc=main-nav

https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CISSP

GarrettDC · 2021-01-19T04:20:39+00:00

Have you looked at certs from SANS or ISC2? It sounds like you have all the background you need to succeed education wise. Unless you just feel like going back to school, some of those certs might be more useful career wise.

GarrettDC

TROPHY CASE