CISSP Associates, how did you gain your relevant work experience in the 6 years?

[slee047]

As per topic, I am aware that in my region (Singapore) is offering CISSP training and even subsidize 70% of exam fees for its citizens and Permanent Resident while the entire exam fee is entirely subsidized for students and NSF (National Service Full-time, a.k.a Mandatory Conscription).

https://www.iss.nus.edu.sg/executive-education/course/detail/certified-information-systems-security-...

1up to 70% CITREP+funding for Professionals (Singaporeans and Singapore PRs) and 100% CITREP+ funding for Students / NSF (Singaporeans) is available for the net payable exam fee

The question is assuming someone managed to become an associate by passing CISSP, how is he / she going to find the relevant work experience? What types of the job are the best for fresh Computer Science degree holders to step into for gaining relevant work experience needed by CISSP?

[Chuxing]

@slee047,

You may already know is, there's a conference coming up in Singapore 3-5 October, and that could be your networking / job searching opportunities:

http://www.cyberworlds-conference.org/

Best,

[Chuxing]

@slee047:

Another security related conference coming up near your is in KL:

https://www.nanosec.asia/

Best,

[j_M007]

Excellent suggestions!

Other ways to gain hands-on experience are:

1. Volunteer in organizations that require expertise (interest groups, charities, sports organizations.) These groups are a huge source of word-of-mouth clients. Your work will be appreciated, and your experience will grow. (plenty of CPEs to be had)
2. Writing articles on security issues for community newsletters, blogs and so forth, informing people of the latest trends and threats. There is a dearth of well written material in the press.
3. Make yourself known (in a good way! cf. the discussion on these boards about "Anger Management") If you have an interest in something, you'll do it for fun before you do it for lucre.
4. Be the documenter. if other people RTFM what you've written (and it's good, concise, UP-TO-DATE!), you'll be the go-to resource.
5. Sharpen the saw. Meet professionals, and don't be shy to ask about opportunities.
6. Be humble (read about anger management in these pages); or in the words of the person who wrote this little gem: "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
7. Make a success plan and keep track of your achievements -- Soon you'll be the old guy or gal dishing out advice! 😉

[Early_Adopter]

@slee047

Lots of great advice here.

I’d say that in Singapore as you are free to work in the field there are a lot of roles available that fit your requirements in FSI, Shipping, Tech, government etc. Most MNCs in cyber/tech have  offices here and there are not enough talented people to go round(I owe my time in Singapore to this) - you’re a sought after commodity (interested/young), and while you’re not in a ‘name your price’ position I’d not see you having too many problems securing something that gets you the experience you need.

My recommendation would be to meet as many folks as you can, and when the time comes interview for some roles and sign up for the cybersecurity job that interests you, has the people you like/can learn from and offers the right personal development.

If it interestes you could push you career further along even further as post-graduate via a scholarship(you are probably aware - subsidised education plus something a bit like the UKs civil service fast track) -  if you are eligble(pretty sure you would be as you are serving NS) you sign a bond, and this limits you in the market, but you’ll get some excellent experience(I’ve been impressed by the folks I’ve met who were on this program - not saying I’ve met them all mind):

https://www.nrf.gov.sg/programmes/national-cybersecurity-r-d-programme/national-cybersecurity-postgr...

https://sbr.com.sg/hr-education/commentary/what-scholar-really-means-in-singapore *

*this included for folks outside Singapore who are interested.

[slee047]

Wow, interesting. But I have already got my degree from NTU and have started work. I did not know anything like this few years back and I do wonder if these are the new and recent initiatives.

But nevertheless, I started this thread is to facilitate such discussions for aspiring students & NSFs in Singapore as well as overseas folks who are in position to influence such decisions which can take reference here.

[Early_Adopter]

Ah right, apologies, wrong end of the stick.

The scholarship program I think is open for bachelors, it’s probably aligned to output from the polytechnics, but the link I put in was actually for post graduate study, so might still be applicable to your case.

Govtech and CSA are definitely driving cybersecurity, I’d say I noticed it getting  2-3 years ago when I got asked to do a quick presentation on machine learning for a conference(SID), about the time CSA came into existence.

https://www.csa.gov.sg/~/media/csa/documents/publications/singaporecybersecuritystrategy.PDF