Network Security: Advice on direction?

[Rivenwry1]

I've posted on this forum a few times now. First, I was tryign to find out how to improve security for building a dynamic web site. Later, I was trying to find out about *nix shells.

In the course of this, I discovered I really like network security. I think I'm going to persue that as my emphasis in my comp sci major.

However - I'm so directionless. In the last month or so my quest for learning "network security" has put me all over the place - web site security, how to build networks, how the internet works- from social engineering concepts to cryptography, to hacker war game servers. I float from RFC's on DNS concepts to how-to guides on batch files and ask inane questions on IRC channels. If I'm reading about something, to understand that I need to go to some other something, to some other something.....

All in all, my sudden "narrowing" of my career from computers to computer security, and subsequent look into security, has me wondering if anybody joining in on these forums has some experience and/or advice. My third year of college is right around the corner and I want to get a so-called leg up on the competition; I'd like to make myself attractive to employers as well.

Enough of my life story.

Where should I start focusing so I can stop floating through the net and start learning some concrete material?

I realize this post is vague - if you've got an opinion do tell.
Thanks- Rivenwry

[dude]

I think, a goodcareer option could be to become a network administrator. For this you have learn linux from top to bottom. Because most large and important networks are on linux machines. Windows networks are popular too. In that case, you will have to make a decision about what you like better and empesise on that more. A general knowledge on both can be very helpful. I think, you can also like to take MCSE or CCNA networking exams to get ahead of the competition. Those etra certificate will help you. In many universities they offer MCSE or CCNA related courses as part of university curriculum. Ask your counselor about those.

[dinangkur]

If you're thinking to make a career in network security then my idea differs from dude. First of all, I favor FreeBSD more than Linux...specially forget about fedora core. Regarding MCSE, I suggest to buy o'relly windows administrator guide(1000 tricks to administer Windows server). You will learn a lot of things which you will need in real life administration, which you will not get from MCSE. Just a degree nothing else. About CCNA..please don't go for it without without prior router knowledge. Best way to be a security expert is to read more and more security related topics and learn C/C++. That's all. Remember, don't try to learn *NIX in a time frame. It's a natural things let it come to you as you go for it as a part of life.

Happy hacking.

-DK.
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