Question about moving into Network Infrastructure
Ali K. asked a question to Rahul K.
My experience so far has been more on the governance (Information Security, ISO27001, PCI DSS etc.), but I want to move closer to networking and infrastructure work. I have basic knowledge about networking concepts, and I wanted to ask what usually helps to stand out more for this field, especially with a background like mine. I would appreciate any advice on how I can continue developing myself in this area. Thanks.
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That’s a good direction to explore, and your governance background is actually quite valuable. It gives you a strong foundation in security, risk, and compliance, which are very relevant in networking and infrastructure as well.
That said, moving into NI roles typically requires a shift from a policy and framework-driven mindset to a more hands-on, systems-level understanding. What really helps candidates stand out here is practical exposure => being comfortable with networking fundamentals like TCP/IP, routing, and protocols, and being able to apply that knowledge in real scenarios.
If you’re serious about the transition, I’d recommend focusing on building practical experience alongside your current role, and gradually taking on opportunities that bring you closer to infrastructure or networking work. That combination tends to stand out more than just theoretical knowledge.
As an example, earlier in my career, I was working more on control plane protocols. When I wanted to move closer to datapath and lower-level systems, I had to consciously put in the effort to understand how things actually work in practice, like packet flow, forwarding behavior, and performance aspects.
It wasn’t just about knowing the concepts, but about building a deeper, hands-on understanding of how the system behaves end-to-end.
So in your case, coming from a governance background, the shift is quite similar. You already understand what good systems should look like from a security and compliance perspective—but moving into networking and infrastructure will require you to get closer to how those systems are actually built and operate.
