Breaking in to Security - Data

Last update 18th October 2013

First, if you don't know what this summary is for, I suggest you go and read the project introduction at Breaking In Part 1 then come back and look at the great responses I've had so far.

I'm planning to leave the survey open and update this data periodically, if anyone requires a copy and would like an up-to-date version please get in touch and I'll send a copy over.

Download the Breaking In data

I've also posted my slides from the BSides London talk I gave here: Breaking In BSides Slides.

Time in security?

Time in security industry

TimeNumberPercentage
7+ years15040%
4-7 years9425%
1-3 years9224%
<1 year4111%

Job Type?

Job type

Job TypeNumberPercentage
Penetration tester21057%
Vulnerability auditor16946%
Sys-admin15040%
IDS/Firewall admin11832%
Log analyst11431%
Policy writer11431%
Incident response9626%
Other8322%
Manager8022%
IT Forensices6417%
Malware analyst5715%
Reverse engineer4713%
Helpdesk4512%
Exploit developer4211%
PCI auditor3810%

Do you need to be able to program?

Do you need to be able to program?

AnswerNumberPercentage
No, but it helps21858%
Yes11129%
Other195%
Don't know185%
No113%

Which language?

LanguageNumberPercentage
Python28380%
Bash Scripting27577%
C14541%
Ruby14240%
Windows Powershell12435%
PHP12234%
Batch Scripting11934%
C++8624%
Java7922%
Perl7421%
Other6318%
VB3811%
C#319%
Lua257%

Are certifications useful?

Are certifications useful?

AnswerNumberPercentage
Yes18248%
Yes - but only to get through HR17246%
No236%

Which certifications are useful?

CertificateNumberPercentage
CISSP23068%
SANS/GIAC22065%
Offensive Security (PWB, AWE etc)13239%
EC-Council (CEH etc)8826%
CompTIA (Security+ etc)7923%
Vendor specific7723%
Other6018%
CHECK Team Leader (CREST/Tiger Scheme)4714%
CHECK Team Member (CREST/Tiger Scheme)4614%

Are cons useful?

Are conferences useful?

AnswerNumberPercentage
Yes32085%
No257%
Other328%

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