Additional Information
So how do you become a computer systems security analyst? Justin Funke
is the head and owner of a computer security firm. He recommends you train
as a computer programmer.
He also recommends you take courses in the operating system you want to
protect. "I recommend picking only one and becoming an expert at it," he says.
Once you have mastered one, the others will be much easier to learn, he says.
Generally, this means you should get a degree in computer science.
But there are some in this field who do not have a computer science degree.
Instead, they have gained enough experience by working and teaching themselves.
And experience is the most important thing Dave Kennedy looks for when
he hires new personnel. Kennedy is the director of research services for an
Internet security company.
"It's more important than certification [and] it's more important than
education," he says.
Dean Pothorin heads and owns an Internet security company. He agrees. "Generally,
we are looking for individuals who have a grasp of the Internet and networks,"
he says. "We are also looking for people who can communicate fairly well,
whether verbally or written."
Enthusiasm is also a good attribute to have, he says. "I like to hire kids
who work all day on the computer, then go home and figure something out on
their own time," he says.