The Information Security Industry:

The Information Security Industry:
Charting Your Path to a More Promising Future
Who is this guy and why are
we listening to him?
Lee Kushner – CEO
L.J. Kushner and Associates
36 West Main Street
Suite 302
Freehold, New Jersey 07728
732-577-8100
lee@ljkushner.com
www.ljkushner.com
A History Lesson:
The Changing Market Place
 1996-1997 – The Formative Years
 1998-1999 – The Industry Begins to Grow
 2000 (the present) – Where we are now
 The Future - Where we are going?
www.ljkushner.com
A History Lesson:
The Changing Market Place
1996-1997 – The Formative Years
www.ljkushner.com
A History Lesson:
The Changing Market Place
1998-1999 – The Industry Begins to Grow
www.ljkushner.com
A History Lesson:
The Changing Market Place
2000 (The Present) – Where we are now
www.ljkushner.com
A History Lesson:
The Changing Market Place
The Future: Where Are We Going?
www.ljkushner.com
Dissecting the Current Market:
 Corporate Environments
 Security Consulting
 Product Companies
 ASPs/MSPs/Telecommunications
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Corporate Environments
 Fortune Environments
 The Dot Coms
 Government
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Corporate Environments
Fortune Environments
Pros:
Predictable Compensation
Job Security
See Projects to Completion
Increasing Importance
Cons:
Security is not their business
B and B
Lack of Confidence
You are not “SPECIAL”
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Corporate Environments
DOT COM Environments
Pros:
Security Professionals are Important
Plenty of Technology
Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Cons:
Lower Base Salaries
Long Hours
High Risk
Lack of Structure
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Corporate Environments
Government
Pros:
Patriotic Feeling
Great Benefits
Leading Edge Technology
High Integrity
Cons:
Below Average Compensation
Plenty of Structure
Lack of Commercial Experience
“Beltway” Traffic
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Security Consulting
 The Big 5’s
 The System Integrators
 The “Pure Plays”
 Government Consulting
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Security Consulting
The Big 5’s
Pros:
Can’t Hurt Your Career
Compensation
Top Flight Clients
Environment
Perks
Cons:
Structured Career Path
Mature Security Practices
B and B
Still “Accounting Firms”
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Security Consulting
The System Integrators
Pros:
Stable Companies
Good Salaries
“Telecommuting” Acceptable
Cons:
Flat Organizations-Interchangeable Parts
High Travel
Lack of Stock Options
Individual Atmosphere
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Security Consulting
The Pure Plays
Pros:
High Growth Potential
Excitement
Ability to Contribute
Equity
Only Business is Security
Cons:
Lower Salaries
Lack of Role Definition
Business is Driven By the VCs
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Security Consulting
Government Consulting
Pros:
Leading Edge Technologies
Patriotic Feeling
Good Resume Builder
Cons:
Cheap Client – Cheap Companies
Flat Organizations
Hire and Fire Based on Contracts
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Product Companies
 Information Security Products
 General Product Companies – The Big Boys
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Product Companies
Information Security Products
Pros:
Transferable Experience
Compensation Based on Performance
Good Products = Success
Best Positions – Development and Sales
Cons:
Everything Evolves Around the Product
Bottom Line Driven
Worst Positions - Consulting
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Product Companies
General Product Companies
Pros:
Resources
Good Compensation Plans
Horizontal Career Path
Cons:
Everything Reviles Around the Product
Security is Another Business
Reorganization
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ASPs/MSPs/Telecommunications
 Integration
 The Operation Center
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ASPs/MSPs/Telecommunications
Pros:
Career Diversity
Commitment to Security
Growing Market Place
Compensation Plans
Cons:
Redundancy
Market is Still Forming
High Risk
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How and where to find the right
opportunity for you
 The Internet
 “Networking”
 Recruiters
– General Recruitment Firms
– Information Security Specialists
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Factors To Consider When
Searching
 Career Path
 Confidence in the Company
 Compensation
 Quality of Life
 Caliber of People
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Questions that Need to Be Asked
and Need to Be Answered before
Accepting Any Position
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Questions:







Corporate Focus
Management
Commitment
Compensation
Personal Growth
Quality of Life
Career Path
- Vertical
- Horizontal
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Rules and Guidelines :
 Clearly Define the Parameters of Your
Search
 Be Flexible – Companies Generally Will
Not Change Their Policies for One Person
 Tell The Truth
– Experience
– Education
– Compensation
www.ljkushner.com
Questions ?
Lee Kushner – CEO
L.J. Kushner and Associates
36 West Main Street
Suite 302
Freehold, New Jersey 07728
732-577-8100
lee@ljkushner.comwww.ljkushner.com