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You will probably hear this frequently but having a lab of some sort is crucial for learning and testing things safely, whether it involves information security, or just IT in general. I wouldn’t advise penetration testing, or any sort of testing against something on the internet that you didn’t get permission for.

Before you scoff at the idea of a lab, bear in mind the benefits significantly outweigh the cost.  The lab doesn’t necessarily have to be a full 42U rack, although if you have the resources, why not right?

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Conferences

I tend to go to a lot of conferences, especially over the last five years as I have taken a more active pursuit toward a full time information security career rather than merely participating in the community.  There are hundreds (yes hundreds) of conferences yearly, located all over the world.  Below are some of the larger conferences I have attended in the past.  Keep in mind your miles may vary depending on what you can afford, how far you are willing to travel, and the crowd you are used to. I will describe a couple simple things from my perspective.

  • The conference (along with a quick overview)
  • The location, and when it occurs (approximately)
  • The cost for admission

**Updated note** If a conference has early registration, REGISTER EARLY.  Be attentive to when or if the registration opens at certain times.  In some cases, the registration prices increase closer to the conference date.  In other cases where the attendance is capped and the conference is popular, it will sell out fast.

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