From: drbitbucket@comcast.net
Date: Thu Jul 08 2004 - 13:48:51 EDT
I couldn't agree more. Using the tools is one thing. Knowing how they work is entirely another. Having those core skills not only allows you to dig down, deep, and understand what really is happening, but it also allows you to choose which tools do a good job and improve upon them or find other tools if they don't give you what you want.
Of course, knowing what you want is another of those skills that comes from a greater understanding of security as it applies to network traffic as well as operating system/service stimulus and responses.
Acquiring those skills don't come over night either, it takes a lot of work and time. It is tempting to many to simply use the tools without getting to know the fundamentals.
Jon Repaci, GCIA, CISSP
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Parker [mailto:dparker@rigelksecurity.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 7:21 PM
To: pen-test@securityfocus.com; vuln-dev@securityfocus.com
Subject: TCP/IP skills
Hello all, I just wanted to comment on what I see as a rather alarming trend in
the
security industry today. More and more many are becoming reliant upon tools to
do their
job whilst they ignore core components of their skillset. Specifically in this
case an
in-depth knowledge of TCP/IP.
Knowing TCP/IP at a granular level in my opinion is very much a core skill that
must be
attained by anyone who wishes to have a successful career in the network
security
industry today. One cannot become adept by simply using tools, and never knowing
how to
interpret the output by verifying the packets themselves.
It constantly amazes me when I teach a TCP/IP Analysis course that people who
are
presently in the industy do not know of such basic TCP/IP concepts as the 3 way
handshake and how ICMP works. That or being able to wholly dissect a packet and
explain
the relationships between various metrics.
I would be curious to hear of your opinions on this?
Cheers,
Don
-------------------------------------------
Don Parker, GCIA
Intrusion Detection Specialist
Rigel Kent Security & Advisory Services Inc
www.rigelksecurity.com
ph :613.233.HACK
fax:613.233.1788
toll: 1-877-777-H8CK
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