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Finding Student IT Security Placements in the Industry?

Posted by Cliff on from the finding-the-experience dept.

CABAN writes "I am a third year computer security and investigations student. My program requires a three month placement in the IT security and forensics industry. Finding an appropriate learning environment seems to be harder than I expected. Lack of security clearance, no real world experience and many companies, who just don't see a need for ITS, are the critical shortfalls right now. What tips does Slashdot have for finding organizations who are willing to let students get involved with sensitive security procedures and cases?"

6 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. No real answer. by FreeLinux · · Score: 5, Insightful

    My program requires a three month placement in the IT security and forensics industry.

    Your program should then have some mechanism to facilitate such placement. Most programs that require intenships provide assistance in placement. If yours doesn't, then you are being shorted. This isn't a DJB class is it?

    1. Re:No real answer. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I agree with this assessment. I had to write a report (with a classmate) for a computer network class and we were encouraged to analyze real world examples. Well, the real world doesn't want outsiders (that have little to lose) poking around within sensitive areas. Everybody we approached was immediately suspicious and extremely guarded.

      The only solution may be within the school, since they require a placement. If they can't even offer you that, then they're being very unreasonable.

  2. Your school's IT Department by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How about working for your school's IT department helping to clean and/or investigate compromised machines. They could probably use the help. Is .edu not real-world enough?

  3. As someone who works in the industry by paranode · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I hate to say it, but this is a difficult thing to get into. The problem is getting your foot in the door, just as you are trying to do. Offer your services to some companies for free if you have to. That may be all you can do to get any experience in the field. It's good that you are in a program that specializes in security though, because it's harder to make the leap from a degree like Computer Science straight into IT security. Once you meet the requirements though, you absolutely must go get your CISSP (certification, you probably know of it) if you want to advance very far. It can be a lucrative field, but experience and certifications, rather than traditional education, are the biggest factors in being successful at it.

  4. Join the Military by zman6911 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Although you might not like the prospect of it, ont of the easiest ways to get a security clearance and on the job ITS experience is to work for the Department of Defense, particularlly the Air Force.

  5. Re:Security Infinite Loop by jesuscash · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Or you could just enlist.