IT Security Consultant--Career Q&A: Professional Advice and Insight

What is it like to be an information technology security consultant? In this Career Q&A video interview, Roger Caslow talks about his career path, what he does on the job, and the keys to success as a cybersecurity consultant. He also offers candid advice on breaking into the profession as well as insight into the industry's biggest challenges and how the field may change in the next ten years.

Length: 19 minutes

ORDER CODE: FFM-BVL190413

Copyright date: ©2019

Closed Captioned

IT Security Consultant: Main Duties and Responsibilities (01:21)
Roger Caslow performs  risk assessments for finance, healthcare, chemical, and mechanical businesses. Technology allows organizations to build, create, or maintain something. An IT security consultant protects that asset.

IT Security Consultant: Career Beginnings (01:44)
Caslow has a passion for protecting and helping others; he worked as an intelligence officer for the U.S. Government, drafting policies and crafting reports. There is very little expertise in the private sector.

IT Security Consultant: Keys for Success (01:38)
IT security consultants need to understand people, process, and technology. Discerning the psychology of someone who creates an intrusion (automated or not) is important. Caslow believes self-awareness, patience, and emotional intelligence will help.

IT Security Consultant: Education and Certification Requirements (03:14)
Seek out a technical degree in computer science, mathematics, or information technology. Caslow describes the importance of continuing education and recommends Brian Kreb's and Chief Security Officer's blogs. Companies that offer certifications include Security plus, Cisco, Microsoft, Isaca, and ISE Squared.

IT Security Consultant: Workplace Atmosphere (01:29)
Clients dictate where one works. An entry-level position is a security analyst. Chief Information Security Officers travel 25-30% of the time and engage with executive leadership.

IT Security Consultant: Advice for Aspiring Pros (01:40)
Listen, be early, continue your education, and pay attention to detail. Caslow describes the importance of working on cardio because of stress levels later in life.

IT Security Consultant: A Day on the Job (02:04)
Read over notes and engage with clients; apply knowledge critically. Caslow discusses the protocol for when a breach occurs. It's better to notice an incursion before your client does; notify the Chief Security Officer, communications, and legal teams.

IT Security Consultant: Industry Goals and Services (01:47)
People lose jobs if there is a data breach. Ensure clients are better protected through assessments, briefings, and meetings. IT security consultants need to deliver information in a meaningful manner.

IT Security Consultant: Industry Challenges (01:19)
Challenges include lack of clear concise communication. Action may not be taken if an IT security consultants employ excessive technical jargon to explain an issue. Risk is a vulnerability, threat, and impact.

IT Security Consultant: Looking at the Future (02:15)
There will always be a need for IT security consultants and the field is growing. Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing will happen soon; these are two major threats to security. Growing a knowledge base will help defend and protect assets.