I am the systems and network administrator, right across the street from my former ISP position, of a software development company specializing in print solutions. Major components of my role include managing virtualization architecture, storage systems, and performing security audits. I operate within a small team the ultimate goal of which is to ensure that development continues in as secure and reliable a way as possible. No surprise: I spend alot of time with Unix-like operating environments such as Solaris, OpenSolaris, and Linux. I also include in my duties digital forensics acquisition and analysis, network and system security, and network planning and implementation.
I am a senior at the Rochester Institute of Technology, returning after a brief hiatus. I resumed my BS in the ANSA program having transferred from the IT department to Network Security and Systems Administration (NSSA) – I should complete my Security and Forensics degree in the Spring of 2011. My association with ASHRAE’s TC9.9 has provided me with a wealth of experience regarding datacom facility best practices, my focus on electrical and environmental systems, though since I’ve begun the new job I really haven’t had as much time as I would like.
Aside from those distractions I am also a member of InfraGard, which is a public-private partnership between the FBI and the private sector as well as the aforementioned American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and belong to Technical Commitee(TC)9.9. I recently completed the AccessData Certified Examiner test and am pursuing my EnCE.
I am also currently working towards the following professional certifications:
ISFCE CCE
GISF -> GSEC-> GCFA -> GCIA -> GCIH -> GPEN -> GAWN (this is going to take awhile)

5 comments
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September 4, 2008 at 4:26 am
ardiansyahputra
Wonderful ..
:-)
October 2, 2008 at 11:40 am
rajatrahoud
Hi, what certifications do I need to get a good job as a network administrators? I graduated from university with my BS in computer science and was an intern doing routing and switching but I’ve got no certs. A+? Net+? Cisco?
October 2, 2008 at 11:49 am
dk
Raj, I don’t personally put much faith in the A+ or Net+ certifications – not because they lack value or fail to teach you useful things, but because the subject matter they cover is so general. To give an example I read the Net+ book in an afternoon and scored better than 90% with no additional studying. Admittedly I spend every day dealing with complex network issues, but it was kind of hollow.
Cisco certifications on the other hand are pretty valuable – a CCNA is the pre-requisite for many positions as a Network or Systems Administrator and it’s the gateway to the CCDA, CCNP, and others like the CCVP if you’re interested in VoIP.
It also depends on where you want to go with it in the future, too – you shouldn’t pursue your CCNA if you want to manage a hosted Exchange environment or your goal is to get a job doing TCP stack programming. I’m not claiming a Cisco cert won’t help, it just might not be a factor in hiring you.
October 6, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Brother's KERR the Younger
Brother,
I haven’t a clue about most of the things you discuss on here but it is truly a pleasure to read. So with that said, keep up the fight.
RK
October 7, 2009 at 9:29 am
dk
Thanks for that, Brother.