Maximum PC

Hi all, I'm going to college right now for an Information Assurance degree. I am extremely interested in the field of computer forensics and system security. I noticed that the degree outline doesn't have many programming courses which I thought was surprising. Isn't a good foundation of programming knowledge a key component to detecting vulnerabilities within a system?

Also wondering if anyone has some suggested information/websites/etc. I should get my hands on regarding any related area to system securities. Thanks to all for your time.

Now that is a mixed question.

Yes, you do need to know quite a bit of programming for what you are wanting to do. Discovering vulnerabilities is all about checking over code (assuming you work at an organization, otherwise illegal to modify/adapt other people's code).

Within a system though? That is relatively easy, just run a vulnerability scanner? I think Norton has one for example.

If I were you, I would suggest a minor (if your college does that type of thing) in either criminology or computer law (or business law).

I should have specified more clearly, information systems security. Not just system security.

Thanks for the response hackman!

It depends whether you want to apply patches and learn to maintain a secure system (administration), or proactively build patches, firewalls and other anti-intrusion measures (programming).

The title of your program leads me to suspect that it leans to the former rather than the latter.