Customer Reviews

Change Your Career: Computer Network Security as Your New Profession

5 star:		(5)
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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're looking for information particular to Computer/Information security jobs, you'll have to look hard in this book. A lot of irrelevant information surrounds a little information specific to Security.
Over half of the information in this book comes from public sources like job salaries, regional occupational statistics and general discussion.
It appears that the publisher has a base manuscript which is being published under different titles. For instance with a few changes this very book could be titled: Change your career: Bartending as your new career.
If you're looking for a resource to get you a quick start in looking for a Computer Security job, my recommendation: keep looking.

As someone who has changed careers many times throughout the years, I would highly recommend to this book to any individual who is looking for a career in the computer industry. This book will also be useful to persons already in the IT industry looking to devise a IT Security career gameplan. Troy has done his research and written a well organized and informative book on the topic of pursuing a career in IT security.

David Coleman
Founder
AirSpy Training
[...].

This book is right on the money and worth every dime of its modest price to the person considering a career change into IT (Information Technology) security. In this easy flowing self-help manual, Mr. McMillan starts by challenging the reader to honestly evaluate themselves in relation to a well defined self-test that can help to determine if network security is a good fit for their personality and preferred lifestyle. As he points out, IT (and especially IT security) isn't for everyone. This is a demanding field that requires a commitment to open-mindedness and self-discipline but the benefits can be numerous. In this book he details those benefits without sugarcoating the committments. Another aspect of this book that I really like is the way in which he explores many of the urban myths concerned with the IT field. Have you been told that you are too old, or too young, or too female, or too unqualified to be given an opportunity in the networking industry? Read what Mr. McMillan says about that, and you may be surprised. Lastly, he tells us, how to get started, how much the training may cost and how to get hired in this highly respected and in-demand field. Give yourself a gift. Read this book and change your life.

This is an excellent guide to starting a career in Network security, essential for the beginner, and for career changers.

Being a career changer himself, Troy's examples are credible and realistic as he talks from first hand experience. His style focuses on substance while still making important issues easy to understand and simple. I'm particularly impressed with his well balanced treatment of critical issues - should you choose a career in Network security, the importance of lifelong learning, communications skills, How IT security fits into the environment, paid employment or starting your own business. He doesn't offer silver bullets but instead highlights the pros and cons, so that at the end of the day you know enough about the areas and can take quality decisions yourself. That's the important thread that runs through the book - know what it takes, focus on substance, make your own choices, prepare yourself - make sure you're in control.

The book is full of tips and gems that should interest the beginner or career changer from information on different learning options and the costs involved to his advice on bootcamps, study techniques and testing tips, as well as detailed job search strategies. The section on references makes the book quite handy as it includes frequently asked questions, and references to useful websites and services.

As one with interest in career counseling and education in information technology, I know that many still lack guidance and focus. Troy's work is welcome and unique for helping people make the right choices in this popular career field. Beyond being in rich in content it's actually enjoyable to read, well laid out with a simple and yet professional design. I highly recommend this book to those who want to move straight into Network security. 5 stars!

Jide Awe
Founder/CEO, Jidaw.Systems
www.jidaw.com

Readers can use Troy's book as a super tool to examine their skills and preferences as an assist and guide to their career change into the IT field. This book has another benefit to all (whether or not interested in a career change)- it is an excellent reference guide on the functional descriptions of the different jobs available in Network Security. IT people are frequently queried by non-IT people as to "what do you do" - and, too frequently - those doing the querying just roll their eyes and regret the question well before the IT person has found a way to de-technolize the description requested. (Yeah, kind of like reading that last sentence.) Well - this book is fantastic for bringing the functional description of all the various security positions into concrete lay terms. It's not that we do such far out things, it's just that we have our own vocabulary. This book defintely bridges any gaps, and I highly recommend it!

I think this book should cost MORE. Whether you're new to IT, new to IT Security, or you're looking to make a change within the IT industry, you should read this book. Troy has done a marvelous job on this book, and you owe it to yourself to read this one cover-to-cover. I've known Troy for many years, and his skills as an engineer, trainer, and author are first rate. He simply doesn't know how to produce anything except top shelf work. Kudos on a great job!

Devin Akin
CTO, The CWNP Program
www.cwnp.com