I’m getting new business cards at the office and was talking to my boss about changing my title. Currently, I’m listed as a “Network Security Engineer”. She (jokingly) suggested replacing engineer with “Agent”, an idea that I commented (not jokingly) would be perfect.
In the end, we came up with a variety of names, and I figured I’d get a vote from the audience here to help me decide what sounds good. Feel free to vote for any combination of the following, or add your own write-in candidate, hoewver, I’ll only be able to get away with so-much latitude. It’s a fun, relaxed environment, but it’s still a ‘real-world’ job, so “Security Monkey” is probably out. (disappointed as that makes me)
Chose one of the following:
- Network Security
- IT Security
- Information Security
- InfoSec
- Security
- Access Control
And match with one from the following:
- Engineer
- Agent
- Practitioner
- Specialist
- Expert
- Consultant
- Monkey (oh well…)
I vote for “Information Security Specialist.”
IT and InfoSec are just buzzwords that may sound silly someday (because all job titles are for is to look good on a resume in the future, right?), “Security” by itself is way to broad (unless they’re also going to send you to goon school), “Network Security” is too narrow (even if that is mostly what you do why limit yourself?) and I just don’t like “Access Control.”
While “Monkey” obviously tops my list, of the remaining ones I think “Specialist” has the best ring to it. “Consultant” seems like someone that comes in from outside to charge way to much money and steal food from the employee fridge, “Expert” seems pretentious since anyone who is an expert doesn’t actually have to call themselves that because other people will already know, and you don’t cast spells so “Practitioner” is out (the first thing I think of when I hear that word are the little black and white mages from Final Fantasy II (?) on the NES, though I know it has many other uses). Agent is cool but doesn’t seem quite right for the job (that is, you don’t get to be a G-man until you are cool and get one of the jobs we talked about getting as kids). Finally, while you’re still the biggest nerd I know (and you know I mean that in the absolutely best way), what you do doesn’t strike me as “Engineer.” I mean, you wear Hawaiian shirts to work! You’re not an engineer.
So, yeah, Information Security Specialist.
Left by John B on January 7th, 2005
network security engineer
Left by lin on January 7th, 2005
Why not “Network Security” without the agent/monkey part? That way, it’s simple and elegant, but still has the kind of silly notion that you ARE Network Security itself. Like the whole “I Am” thing, but not in a sacriligeous way. I like “Network Security” over “Information Security” because info security sounds like you’re just in charge of somebody’s file cabinet. Network Security means information and the behavior of the computers controlling that information.
Jordan -
Network Security
(Behold, for you are in the presence of Network Security itself)
Left by Rehmeyer on January 8th, 2005
I’d stick with Network Security Engineer personally. It’s straight forward and “does exactly what it says on the tin”
Left by TheMole on January 8th, 2005
I vote for Network Security Engineer. Information Security Specialist brings to mind a librarian who carries an Uzi to protect the reference book section.
Left by Rachel on January 8th, 2005
Actually, I would respect Jordan a whole lot more if he was a librarian who carries an Uzi to protect the reference book section. Seriously, that’s cool.
Left by John B on January 8th, 2005
Thanks everyone for the comments; exciting as it seems to be to change my title to something more glamorous, it does seem like I’ve got one of the best ones already.
Left by Jordan on January 9th, 2005
I’m a bit late on this, but I like Access Control Monkey. Then you can abbreviate it ACM.
Left by Eric on January 10th, 2005