Replaced by Outsourcing -- What's a Geek to Do?

SafariShane asks: "Yesterday I was fired from my position as 'Network Security Analyst' from a financial institution. I was pushed out by a 3rd party vendor, who labeled me the major security risk, after performing a 'vulnerability assessment.' At the time, I thought a vulnerability assessment of our network was a good idea, but in retrospect, it occurs to me that this company, who's other product is 'Outsourced Network Monitoring and Intrusion Detection' may pull this little trick everywhere they go. Has this happened to any other network security folks out there. Does anyone know if this is a common practice, and what's a geek to do if they find out a 3rd party assessment is on the way? If this happens again at another institution, should I just start polishing my resume right away?" Here's a question I always wish I could ask managers, whenever the topic of 'outsourcing' comes up: if dealing with programmers overseas is more appealing to the bottom line, why not let your programmers work from home for 50-80% of their current in-office pay? For those of you who feel the threat of Outsourcing breathing down your neck, what are you doing to try and stay in your current job, or even in this current market?

"Here comes the obligatory South Park reference:

1. Perform Network Vulnerability Assessment
2. ?
3. Profit! (Sell Outsourced product)

Looks like they came up with an actual step 2:

Label anyone who is responsible for network security as the risk, and get them fired.

I wouldn't even dream up the above situation, except that when the assessment was done, all results were hidden from me. The company presented the results not to the geeks that can interpret them, but directly to the executives that still think 'Clippy' is a great product.

I'll also note, because people will ask me anyway, if there were other problems. In my year on the job, there was only 1 network intrusion: Welchia, which was contained in twenty minutes. Anyone familiar with Welchia will know that it is no easy task. I was never reprimanded for anything. In fact, I received a 12.5% raise only two months ago for job performance.

I doubt what they did was illegal, but it's bad business at best. Here is a group of network security geeks, who get other network security geeks fired, so they can increase their bottom line.

I'd like to hear comments from folks this has happened to, and what did you do as a result?"

Comments

What's good for the goose is good for the gander..

[ChaoticChaos]

SafariShane needs to turn around and hack back in to the system in a week and show that the new company's security measures weren't that great. ;-) This will ingratiate himself with the CEO and get the new company kicked out.

Problem solved. ;-)

What's a Geek to Do?

[letxa2000]

Hmm, given your experience I would start an 'Outsourced Network Monitoring and Intrusion Detection' and start offering your service to companies in your area. Then, label each responsible network administrator as a security risk and get them fired.

Re:What's a Geek to Do?

[dgrgich]

This reminds me of the funniest joke on earth.

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator says: "Calm down, I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says: "OK, now what?"

Re:Ummm... get a new job

[the Man in Black]

if you're good at your job, get a new one.

Oh well shit, is that all it takes? I've been going about this all wrong!

I'm gonna get a pony too, while I'm out getting things. Anyone else want something?

They have scooby doo in india

[morcheeba]

Not only do they have scooby doo in india, but he's much more evil than he is in the united states -- he gives kids tattoos and has got them buying 75 gram packages of "krackjack". We americans have to settle for regular crack.

Re:And then get arrested, convicted...

[HungWeiLo]

For those who don't know, this is a line from the movie "Office Space".

If you haven't seen it, you should. It's really a very funny look at office politics and lost jobs.

Unfortunately, for many people, it's not in the comedy section of the video store. It's in the documentary section.