My Python Journey, Part 1

As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been learning Python.

As a result, I haven’t posted for a long while, so I thought I’d crawl out of my Python den and discuss my journey so far. It has been an interesting slither with some sunshine, as well as a few dark days.

My Background

I’ve been an auditor for many years, and before that I managed a data/computer security department (see my ABOUT post for other details). I don’t consider myself a programmer by any means, but have automated several processes with a variety of tools, including ACL, command line, Visual Studio, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), Power BI, and other tools.

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FREE Infosec & Web Pentesting Education

Security Monkey posted that PentesterLab has some great resources that provide training on pentesting, like:

• Basics of Web
• Basics of HTTP
• Detection of common web vulnerabilities:
• Basics of fingerprinting
• and more! (like Linux Host Review)

CISA vs. CIA Certification

If you’re an IT auditor (or want to be one) and don’t have any audit certifications, which certification should you get, the CISA or the CIA? If you want to get both, which one do you get first?

Full disclosure: I have the CISA, but not the CIA. Back when the CIA was 4 exams, I studied for all the CIA exams except the financial exam, but ended up not taking any of the exams. I also have the CISSP.

Compare Multiple Fields with Excel vlookup (Easy)

When you need to determine whether several fields in 2 Excel documents (or tabs) match, all you need to do is combine the fields in each document into one value and then compare the 2 values using vlookup.

You could do this many ways, but if you’re new to Excel formulas, I think this way is easier to configure and understand. I’m assuming you’re familar with the basics of Excel and vlookup already.

If you are not familiar with vlookup, you might want to review this first, as my post does not teach you vlookup, just another way to use it.

ACL: How to Add a Computed Field

If you’ve been wondering how to add a computed field to an existing ACL table, you’re at the right place. I’ll take you through it step-by-step.

In ACL tip: What is a Computed Field?, I defined computed fields and provided 2 examples. I suggest you read that post before you dive into this one.

That post also explains expressions and functions, which you need to understand when creating computed fields. Both that post and this one are long ones, complete with graphics. You might want to print them both out first…

In this post, I’ll show you how to add the c_Region field that is described in the computed field post. It’s not as hard as it looks.

ACL Tutorials on YouTube

Free ACL tutorials are available on YouTube, along with a lot of videos with talking heads. The tutorials walk you through how to do a couple tests, but I found the video resolution to be rather poor. Maybe it’s my equipment, maybe it’s the result of a company trying to adapt some tutorials they already have to another delivery method.

Security Awareness Tips

Update: See links to other sites at the end of this post. I’ll update as I find them.

If you want a good collection of security tips for yourself or others, check out the www.onguardonline.gov website . It contains  articles, videos, quiz  games, and tutorials about security topics.

The topics and tutorials are good; the videos and quiz games seemed to be geared for the younger generation. Even so, it would be a good link to send to grandparents and those who are curious, but hesitant about technology.

Teach Yourself ACL

You can teach yourself how to use Audit Command Language (ACL), the data analytics software from www.highbond.com. ACL is used by internal auditors and others to: