| If there has ever been a growth field, it is | | | | vandalism. Unfortunately, law enforcement did |
| computer security certification. With a good | | | | not see it that way. I was caught when I was |
| computer security certificate from a | | | | 16 years old, breaking into the offices of a |
| reputable college, you can go anywhere. Even | | | | major multinational corporation. Because of |
| if you go to one of those IT training schools | | | | my age I got off with probation, but I |
| the you see advertised on daytime television, | | | | realized that I had to turn my life around. |
| your certification computer security will | | | | |
| probably open doors for you. There are all | | | | I got my computer security certification |
| kinds of jobs for computer security experts, | | | | training after a few years of soul-searching. |
| from Homeland security to private industry. | | | | To be honest, I was tempted to give up |
| You can help prevent data theft, write | | | | computer hacking altogether, but finally I |
| computer security software, or investigate | | | | realized that this was not the course for me. |
| hackers for law enforcement. For a security | | | | I was just too fascinated by computer |
| certified network professional, the sky is | | | | networking and the security issues that it |
| the limit. | | | | involved. I knew that, if I did not go into |
| | | | computer security, it was only a matter of |
| I had never expected to get into computer | | | | time before I would get into trouble again. |
| security certification when I was growing up. | | | | Temptation would overwhelm me, and I would |
| If anything, I was on the other side of the | | | | suddenly found myself hacking into something |
| law. Many of the experts in computer security | | | | or other. Although a I could get away with it |
| certification were hackers when they were | | | | for years this time (I had learned from my |
| kids. I used to try to break into all kinds | | | | mistakes) is still didn't seem to be worth |
| of things just to see if I could do it. It | | | | the risk. In the long run, I would get |
| wasn't a matter of malicious intent. I just | | | | caught. That is why I got my computer |
| wanted to test the boundaries and see what | | | | security certification. As a certified |
| holes computer security systems had in them. | | | | information security auditor, I can make my |
| To me, it was more of a game or an | | | | hobby into my life and stay on the right side |
| intellectual exercise than an act of | | | | of the law. |