A.S. Cybersecutiry and Networking

[pezz]

Currently what are your viewpoints on entry-level security/networking positions that could be filled by someone with a 2 yr degree in this particular area?
Are these careers currently out there? Aside from the job boards of course

Do you currently have these types of positions open within your company?

Etc.... trying to generate discussion on this topic.

[astcell]

If you have MCSE, A+, Novell and a few Cisco classes, I can get you $10/hr.

It sucks out there.

[Chris]

There are some entry level positions out here, but the requirement is usually a security clearance rather than any certs or education.

Hell, out here if you have a clearance I am not sure you need to have graduated from high school.

[astcell]

Agreed. An active clearance will beat out all certs and degrees.

[skroo]

Agreed. An active clearance will beat out all certs and degrees.

Depends. I'd say it complements them more than beats them out, but that's largely dependent on the job in question. Personally, I'd take experience over a 2-year AS, but would prepared to give more credence to a BS.

[astcell]

If the choice was between a clearance OR mcse, take the clearance. Now if the guy has both, more power to you both then!

[Grifter]

How do you keep a clearance current? So that if you ever require it in the future, you don't need to go through the process of obtaining it again.

[murakami]

How do you keep a clearance current? So that if you ever require it in the future, you don't need to go through the process of obtaining it again.

The community owns the clearance, and the clearance is a certification attached to a person. Typically the employer certifies that the clearance is current through a process, i.e. financial reporting, having a security officer, etc.

The short answer is that your employer keeps your clearance current, but the clearance can be maintained by third parties other than your current employer.

[pezz]

Just posing a "what if" discussion to generate ideasabout the job market for entry level security admins. I have seen that most require an active security clearance. Though I was under the impression that once you had govermental clearance it was for 5, 10, or 15 years respectively.

I am not looking personally, just looking for input from those currently employed, formerly employed, etc... in the field or leadership positions.

[lil_freak]

How do you keep a clearance current? So that if you ever require it in the future, you don't need to go through the process of obtaining it again.

Keeping your clearance current is easy, all that is required is a job status of "current employee" within the company you gained your SC and there is no unfavorable information that is developed.

Now sometimes things happen and people quit or lose their job, in this case you are able to keep your current status for total of three to six months depending on the SC type, however if you have Interim SC your clearance can be withdrawn at anytime.

Once you become a "current employee" again, depending on the job you hold you may be permitted to keep or give up your SC.

Also note:
1. All applicants must undergo a mandatory background investigation
2. Must be a United States Citizan
3. Required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement
4. Complete processing of paperwork is done within 45-60 days
5. If you meet the requirements obtanining a clearnce is done within 6-9 months and can vary based on the complexity of the individual.

There's more guide lines and standard operating procedures, but I'm too laze to type them out.

Hope this helped.

[skroo]

If the choice was between a clearance OR mcse, take the clearance. Now if the guy has both, more power to you both then!

MCSE = Minesweeper Consultant and Solitaire Expert. I hate to say it, but that is the one cert that I would never use as one of the criteria in hiring a candidate: there are too many of them out there, and way too many holders have obtained them from cert mills, meaning that they're basically clueless morons who got into the business because they heard they could 'make a lot of money in computers'. This is one case where a few years of verifiable employment experience would be way more valuable, at least in my eyes.

[astcell]

Many times a clearance will be deactivated when you leave one job, however if the clearance is current, it's usually a single sheet of paper to get it switched back on. Timing is everything. Yes Pezz, it can be 5-10-15 years, but if you leave the job the new employer will have you vetted to retain the clearance if it is needed.

The US Govt is who issues clearances. You may work for TRW but since they do .gov work, it comes from the .gov folks. Now on the other hand if you know the secret recipe for Krispy Kreme donuts, you may have the need to know a company secret but it is not the same as having a recognized security clearance.

[pezz]

Many times a clearance will be deactivated when you leave one job, however if the clearance is current, it's usually a single sheet of paper to get it switched back on. Timing is everything. Yes Pezz, it can be 5-10-15 years, but if you leave the job the new employer will have you vetted to retain the clearance if it is needed.

The US Govt is who issues clearances. You may work for TRW but since they do .gov work, it comes from the .gov folks. Now on the other hand if you know the secret recipe for Krispy Kreme donuts, you may have the need to know a company secret but it is not the same as having a recognized security clearance.

This brings up an interesting point for me....How would one go about finding out if the .gov still recoginized a former sec clearance (classified).

I know unnamed persons who still casually work for a .gov contractor but in a different position.

[lil_freak]

This brings up an interesting point for me....How would one go about finding out if the .gov still recoginized a former sec clearance (classified).

I know unnamed persons who still casually work for a .gov contractor but in a different position.

From what I know the person who had the clearance can contact the issuing agency and request a validation report of status on their clearance. The person seeking this information will have to supply their clearance code, DOB, and SSN. I think that’s all you need to supply but it’s been awhile.

[Qu|rk]

Clearance upto and including TS2 can be verified through gov't resources from what I recall. Any in witness relocation or those that are directly related to WITSEC can still be verified through PIP, but that still is trivial at best... if I was holding high clearance, and got out and relocated, I would not want my employer knowing that. Knowledge is what you make of it, and can be a double edged sword if people find you to have information to be a viable threat regardless of the previous credibility you had.

Qu|rk-