6 answers
Paul
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
5
Questions
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What are the requirements to join the NSA?
What are the requirements to join the NSA working in cybersecurity and obtain a security clearance?
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6 answers
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
477
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
My son tried (applied) to do summer internship at NSA after finishing 2 years of Computer Engineering. He did not live near MD/VA area so he had to find his own place if he got the internship.
He had to write an essay beyond his Cum GPA and the Computer related courses he had taken.
In addition, there is a requirement to apply or have applied for secret clearance.
It is expected that you not only work in summer but also during spring and Xmas break.
They pay significant amount in salary but not as much as a private employer.
He did not get the internship in spite of having almost perfect GPA. I am glad he did not get in. He found a better internship near our home which gave him more exposures and experience in the software engineering.
When he graduated more than 5 years ago, his summer internships landed him a job in WA for a well-known company with starting salary in six-figures plus stock options plus signing bonus plus moving expenses all paid by the employer. He had to pass this employer’s 3-hours test before getting an interview.
He had to write an essay beyond his Cum GPA and the Computer related courses he had taken.
In addition, there is a requirement to apply or have applied for secret clearance.
It is expected that you not only work in summer but also during spring and Xmas break.
They pay significant amount in salary but not as much as a private employer.
He did not get the internship in spite of having almost perfect GPA. I am glad he did not get in. He found a better internship near our home which gave him more exposures and experience in the software engineering.
When he graduated more than 5 years ago, his summer internships landed him a job in WA for a well-known company with starting salary in six-figures plus stock options plus signing bonus plus moving expenses all paid by the employer. He had to pass this employer’s 3-hours test before getting an interview.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Paul
Edmond Momartin ☁️
Public Cloud Security & Compliance AT&T | MBA InfoSec | OWASP-LA Board
75
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Edmond’s Answer
I think Elliot's answer is spot on; read through the career section of NSA's website, especially pay attention to their "suitability process". A job in NSA is unlike most others, even if it doesn't involve secret/top-secret activities. My only advice is to be mindful of that.
Another option that could perhaps serve as a stepping stone and as rewarding and challenging would be to work for CISA (https://www.cisa.gov/) - the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Good luck!
Another option that could perhaps serve as a stepping stone and as rewarding and challenging would be to work for CISA (https://www.cisa.gov/) - the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Good luck!
Thank you!
Paul
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Paul,
Career Path in Network Security
Embarking on a career in network security typically necessitates a solid grounding in computer science and networking concepts. A bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a similar field is generally the basic requirement for numerous positions. However, some organizations might consider relevant work experience as an acceptable substitute for a degree.
In addition to a degree, a range of certifications can serve to illustrate your knowledge and competence in network security. Some of the notable certifications include:
CompTIA Security+: This certification encompasses fundamental security skills, terminology, and technologies.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This certification is centered on cybersecurity management and encompasses areas like security and risk management, communication and network security, and software development security.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): This certification is focused on the auditing, monitoring, and evaluation of an organization's information systems.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): This certification imparts the skills necessary to detect and address vulnerabilities in systems and networks.
Practical Experience
Securing practical experience through internships or entry-level positions can be instrumental in making your way into the network security field. Internships offer a chance to work in tandem with seasoned professionals, learn about industry best practices, and establish a professional network. Entry-level roles such as network administrator or junior security analyst can aid in honing practical skills and gaining experience with various security technologies and tools.
Continuous Learning
Keeping pace with the newest trends, threats, and technologies in network security is vital for career advancement. Engaging in online courses, attending workshops, or participating in local cybersecurity meetups can help you stay informed about industry advancements. Vendors and training organizations frequently offer product-specific training to aid you in mastering their solutions.
Recommended Reading
CompTIA Security+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition by Chuck Black
CISSP (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide by Mike Chapple, James Michael Stewart, and Darril Gibson
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Version 11: Study Guide by Kimberly Graves, Kristin Judge, and Matt Walker
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Career Path in Network Security
Embarking on a career in network security typically necessitates a solid grounding in computer science and networking concepts. A bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a similar field is generally the basic requirement for numerous positions. However, some organizations might consider relevant work experience as an acceptable substitute for a degree.
In addition to a degree, a range of certifications can serve to illustrate your knowledge and competence in network security. Some of the notable certifications include:
CompTIA Security+: This certification encompasses fundamental security skills, terminology, and technologies.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This certification is centered on cybersecurity management and encompasses areas like security and risk management, communication and network security, and software development security.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): This certification is focused on the auditing, monitoring, and evaluation of an organization's information systems.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): This certification imparts the skills necessary to detect and address vulnerabilities in systems and networks.
Practical Experience
Securing practical experience through internships or entry-level positions can be instrumental in making your way into the network security field. Internships offer a chance to work in tandem with seasoned professionals, learn about industry best practices, and establish a professional network. Entry-level roles such as network administrator or junior security analyst can aid in honing practical skills and gaining experience with various security technologies and tools.
Continuous Learning
Keeping pace with the newest trends, threats, and technologies in network security is vital for career advancement. Engaging in online courses, attending workshops, or participating in local cybersecurity meetups can help you stay informed about industry advancements. Vendors and training organizations frequently offer product-specific training to aid you in mastering their solutions.
Recommended Reading
CompTIA Security+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition by Chuck Black
CISSP (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide by Mike Chapple, James Michael Stewart, and Darril Gibson
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Version 11: Study Guide by Kimberly Graves, Kristin Judge, and Matt Walker
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Jeramie Hebron
Technical Project Manager
1
Answer
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Jeramie’s Answer
For obtaining an appropriate level of security clearance, you need to remember the basic purpose of it - trustworthiness. For most young people, this means keeping your record clean - staying out of real trouble even misdemeanors like traffic citations can stack up. Credit history is something that is looked at as well. How reliable is a person with their finances and can they be bribed monetarily. Going a step further, getting a higher level of security clearance will involve providing any foreign contacts/relationships you might have. This includes our neighbors to the north, Canada.
Social media friends also count towards these relationships. Just be aware that the higher level you want to get, the cleaner your record needs to be and the more it will be under scrutiny.
Social media friends also count towards these relationships. Just be aware that the higher level you want to get, the cleaner your record needs to be and the more it will be under scrutiny.
Elliot Jordan
Web Developer
78
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Elliot’s Answer
Go to their website!
Vamshee Gunturu
Principal Engineer
187
Answers
Chandler, Arizona
Updated
Vamshee’s Answer
I found that following links would help you give some insights on getting job i NSA in cyber security.
https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/entry-level-cyber-security-jobs-guide/
https://www.bestvalueschools.com/lists/tips-for-getting-hired-by-the-nsa/
https://www.nstec.com/network-security/cybersecurity/how-hard-is-it-to-get-cybersecurity-job-at-the-nsa/
Hope this helps