information systems security jobs

An Information System Security Professional is someone responsible for protecting the networks, infrastructure and systems for a business or organisation.

What is IT Security?

IT Security is the information security which is applied to technology and computer systems. It focuses on protecting computers, networks, programs and data from unauthorized access or damage. IT Security can also be referred to as Cyber Security. IT Security plays a vital role within the government, military, finance companies, hospitals and many private businesses as they store a large amount of data and information on their computer systems that need to be kept secure.  

What does it entail?

The main use for IT Security and the main role for an IT Security specialist is to:

• Protect computer systems by creating barriers deterring external access to them
• Recognize problems within systems by identifying uncharacteristic activity
• Assess current situations with the network security and carry out audits
• Implement improvements where needed and keep the users informed by completing performance reports on a regular basis to communicate the status of the system security.

The general working hours of an IT Security specialist will be the normal 37 or 40 hours a week. However, you will likely have the responsibility of being on call 24/7 in case of any security breaches.  You will need to be aware of this.

Areas in IT security

There are many different areas within IT Security itself. You can specialize in one of these areas or a number of these areas if you wish. They include:

• Network Troubleshooting
• System Administration
• Firewall Administration
• Information Security Policies
• Penetration testing
• Ethical Hacking
• Security Analyst

The salary can vary depending on the area of IT Security, the qualification level and the location of your work. The salary can vary from £25,000 to £85,000. To give you a more specific idea of salary ranges, an IT Security Officer can earn around £34,000, an IT Security Engineer can earn around £58,000 and Head of IT Security can earn around £85,000 or higher in certain sectors and large businesses. Ethical hacking is also a growth sector and specialized consultants in this area can earn high incomes.

Required skills

If you are looking to work in the IT Security sector it would be beneficial for you to have the following skillset:

• Analytical
• Logical
• Ability to priorities work load
• Aware of developments in Cyber Security
• Understanding of Database, Networking and Systems
• Understanding of applicable UK law and regulations in relation to IT Security
• Experience with Antivirus software and web proxy management
• An IT Security / Computer Science related degree or certification
• A strong background in IT

HOW TO BECOME: PURSUING A CYBER SECURITY DEGREE & CAREER

1. EARN A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

Some employers will require candidates to hold an advanced degree such as a master’s degree in cyber security. Prospective employers may offer tuition assistance to meet this goal. A master’s degree takes an additional one to two years to complete after the bachelor’s degree-level and provides advanced instruction in protecting computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. Students learn the ethics, practices, policies and procedures of cyber security as they study how to tackle network security defense techniques and countermeasures. Cyber security professionals can also earn certification to boost their skills while working full-time to gain hands-on experience.

2. COMPLETE ADVANCED TRAINING

Some employers will require candidates to hold an advanced degree such as a master’s degree in cyber security. Prospective employers may offer tuition assistance to meet this goal. A master’s degree takes an additional one to two years to complete after the bachelor’s degree-level and provides advanced instruction in protecting computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. Students learn the ethics, practices, policies and procedures of cyber security as they study how to tackle network security defense techniques and countermeasures. Cyber security professionals can also earn certification to boost their skills while working full-time to gain hands-on experience.

3. PASS SECURITY CLEARANCES (IF APPLICABLE)

Security clearances are necessary for those who wish to work with classified information as part of a military of government agency. A variety of agencies issue both personnel and facility security clearances, but most are issued by the Department of Defense. Each type of clearance has its own procedures and paperwork. The process, which takes three months to a year, does not begin until an employer decides to hire you, at which point you receive a conditional offer of employment. The first step is to submit clearance documentation, followed by a Background Investigation

For More :IT Security Specialist

What makes a good troubleshooter

So what makes a good troubleshooter?  What steps can you do to be better?  Well the good news is troubleshooting is something that can be learned and improved upon.  Leaving prior knowledge and understanding of the basics aside for a moment let us investigate the preliminary concepts.

  

The first thing that any good Computer troubleshooting Job has is the ability to correctly think and focus on what they are doing.  There has been research done on audiences listening to a lecture.  They listen for a while and drift out for a while.  The same is true with thinking and paying attention to the problem at hand.  When you are approaching a problem be ready to approach it.  Really!  Ok, let us also admit that this cannot always be true.  Sometimes we are thinking about the weekend, family issues or just plain daydreaming.  Once that happens give yourself a moment, get a drink of coffee, and then refocus your energy on the problem you are trying to solve.  You have to mentally be ready. 

Think about this thought for a moment.  The last time you or somebody you know was in the hospital every notice the doctors usually schedule surgeries early in the morning?  Why, because in the morning it is cold and patients have to get up really early and they are cranky.  No, because that is when the doctor is mentally the sharpest and most focused on the task at hand.  When the doctor is doing the procedure there is no drifting between the baseball score and the procedure, all energy is focused on the task at hand.  You need to employ the same attention to detail as well.

The second rule is: you rule the problem and not the other way.  You have to approach any troubleshooting issue as yours to solve.  Don’t let the complexity of the situation overwhelm you.  Hold on loosely but do not let go to the problem.  Again you will get your behind kicked from time to time and the problem will consume you.  It has to from time to time, that is the only way to get better.  When that time does arise you must walk away think about in a new way get a better grip and jump on again.  But never loose the prospective that you are the one to solve the problem.

The third rule is: be confident in your ability.  Yes, you make lack years of experience and yes you possibly do not have all of the fundamentals, ok so what.  Your job will be harder and you know what it should be.  But there is light at the end of the tunnel.  It will take time and you too will get it.  Be confident.  There is something to be said about being confident and admitting that you cannot solve the problem without help and guidance, than to doubt yourself, make poor decisions based on lack of confidence and come up with a wrong solution.  I cannot help you when it comes to over confidence and under confidence.  You must know your personality and what makes you who you are.

The fourth rule is:  know your personality.  And no I do not mean know how you feel.  No.  Know your personality.  How quickly do you become frustrated with things?  Me, I personally hate computer software.  I like hardware and things I can touch and if need be through into the trash.  But computer software is my weak spot.  You mean to tell me we put the man on the moon how many years ago and we cannot build a computer that will not crash or delete entire copies of written text?  No way can’t I believe it!  Already I feel myself getting upset.  Do not let your weakness get the better of you.  Also do not let your weakness jade your decision making away from a solution because of your weakness. 

What is hardware VPN?

A hardware VPN is a virtual private network ( VPN) based on a single, stand-alone device. The device, which contains a dedicated processor, manages authentication, encryption, and other VPN functions, and provides a hardware firewall. Hardware VPNs provide enhanced security for the enterprise in much the same way that hardware routers offer additional security (when compared to firewall programs) for home and small-business computer users.

A traditional VPN is, essentially, a set of programs on the same platform as the network operating system. Such a VPN provides remote offices or individual users with secure access to their organization's network by using the shared public telecommunications infrastructure and standard security measures. Hardware VPNs offer a number of advantages over the software-based VPN. In addition to enhanced security, hardware VPNs provide load balancing and the ability to handle large client loads. Administration is managed through a Web browser interface.

A hardware VPN is more expensive than a software VPN. Because of the cost, hardware VPNs are a more realistic option for large businesses than for small businesses or branch offices. Several vendors offer devices that can function as hardware VPNs.

RF Drive Test Engineer Jjobs

Drive testing is a method of measuring and assessing the coverage, capacity and Quality of Service (QoS) of a mobile radio network.

The technique consists of using a motor vehicle containing mobile radio network air interface measurement equipment that can detect and record a wide variety of the physical and virtual parameters of mobile cellular service in a given geographical area.

By measuring what a wireless network subscriber would experience in any specific area, wireless carriers can make directed changes to their networks that provide better coverage and service to their customers.

Drive testing requires a mobile vehicle outfitted with drive testing measurement equipment. The equipment are usually highly specialized electronic devices that interface to OEM mobile handsets. This ensures measurements are realistic and comparable to actual user experiences.

Network benchmarking

For benchmarking, sophisticated multi-channel tools such as Focus Infocom's DMTS and XGMA, DingLi Communications' Pilot Fleet, Ascom's Symphony, Rohde & Schwarz-SwissQual's Diversity Benchmarker or Keysight Nemo Invex II are used to measure several network technologies and service types simultaneously to very high accuracy, to provide directly comparable information regarding competitive strengths and weaknesses. Results from benchmarking activities, such a comparative coverage analysis or comparative data network speed analysis, are frequently used in marketing campaigns. Drive testing to gather network bench-marking data is the only way mobile network operators can collect accurate competitive data on the true level of their own and their competitors technical performance and quality levels.

Optimization and troubleshooting

Optimization and troubleshooting information is more typically used to aid in finding specific problems during the rollout phases of new networks or to observe specific problems reported by consumers during the operational phase of the network lifecycle. In this mode drive testing data is used to diagnose the root cause of specific, typically localized, network issues such as dropped calls or missing neighbour cell assignments.

Network Operation Center Acronym

A network operations center (NOC) is a central location from which network administrators manage, control and monitor one or more networks. The overall function is to maintain optimal network operations across a variety of platforms, mediums and communications channels.

Large network service providers are associated with network operation centers, which feature a visual representation of the networks being monitored and workstations where detailed network statuses are monitored. Software is employed to help manage the networks. Telecommunications, television broadcast and computer networks are controlled through network operations centers.

Network operations centers are also known as network management centers.A network operation center monitors the telecommunication network for alarms or certain conditions that may require special attention in order to avoid impact on network performance. They monitor power failures, communication line alarms and performance issues that may affect networks. NOCs are capable of analyzing problems, performing troubleshooting, communicating with site technicians and tracking problems until they are resolved. Network operation centers serve as the main focal point for software troubleshooting, software distribution, and updating router and domain name management in coordination with affiliated networks and performance monitoring.

Network operation centers include rows of desk facing video walls, which display significant alarm details, ongoing incidents and general network performance. The back walls of network operation centers are glazed and an attached room is used by members of the team responsible for dealing with serious incidents. Individual desks are assigned to specific technology. Technicians have numerous monitors on their desks with extra monitors used to monitor systems covered from the desk.

Network operation centers handles issues in a hierarchical manner so that if an issue is not resolved in a specific time frame, the next level is informed to speed up the problem solving. Most of the network operation centers have multiple tiers, which define the skill of a network operation center technician.The issues that go through an NOC are escalated in a hierarchic manner. When an escalated issue is not resolved within the stipulated time, it is escalated once again to the next level to ensure speedy resolution.

Almost all Web hosting companies and Internet service providers use NOCs to control and manage internal communications and manage email accounts.

Noc Center Jobs

NOC Engineer Job Description.

Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineers monitor large computer networks and servers for problems from a central location. They analyze problems, perform troubleshooting and incident response on the system, communicate with site technicians and track problems through to resolution. NOC Engineers resolve any issues related to the servers, networks and telecommunications by consistently troubleshooting and monitoring. The skills required for a NOC, or Network Operations Center include network support, network administration and management, switching and routing, along with Linux

Responsibilities of the NOC Engineer

NOC Engineers resolve any issues related to the servers, networks and telecommunications by consistently troubleshooting and monitoring. The skills required for a NOC, or Network Operations Center include network support, network administration and management, switching and routing, along with Linux. Their responsibilities are extensive, requiring highly skilled individuals.

Core Responsibilities of the NOC Engineer

NOC jobs involve a lot of responsibility, since they’re in charge of strict monitoring of multiple networks and systems. They must maintain uptime for all IT systems. These NOC Engineers consistently monitor network errors, malware, and all issues pertaining to security. Their decisions have to be made quickly, requiring an informed NOC engineer in order to maintain organizational efficiency and an ideal network.