Security, certification, and Cloud Computing

[David Rosenstrauch]

Jerry Natowitz wrote:
> Any advise, either about certification, specializing in security, or 
> Cloud Computing would be greatly appreciated.

For starters, start reading *everything* you can about the topic.  Join 
mailing lists, subscribe to blogs, etc.  That'll plug you into what's 
going on in the field, help you figure out what you need/want to learn 
more about, help you find additional reading/resources you want to start 
following, help you meet people in the field, etc.

Here's some cloud resources to help you get started:

Reading
-------
http://news.cnet.com/wisdom-of-clouds/
http://groups.google.com/group/cloud-computing

Job hunting
-----------
http://cloudjobs.net/
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=cloud&l=boston%2C+MA&radius=25


And a bit of advice, as far as job hunting in the field:  don't assume 
you can't/won't find anything.  You can learn a lot by reading up on the 
topic on your own - especially if you do it in conjunction with try to 
gain some hands-on experience experimenting with coding, kicking the 
tires on some open source cloud software, playing around with Amazon 
EC2/S3, etc.  (e.g., try putting together a cloud "hello world" on one 
of your boxes at home, try writing a little cloud-based app or site to 
help you learn, etc.)

And although that experience might not be sufficient to get you hired by 
a more "established" company, it might very well be enough to get you 
hired by a startup.  And, frankly, that's pretty much who I see doing 
most of the hiring these days.

HTH, and good luck!

DR