[tptacek]

I've worked as a network admin (managing a default-free BGP peering relationship among other things), a researcher producing academic security work that has an actual cite record, a full-time software developer inside and outside computer security, a product manager, and for the past several years as a consultant to companies doing all of those things.

I don't have a degree at all, and --- except for very brief intervals of conversations with Wall Street companies --- the subject has never come up.

If you're motivated enough to establish a track record for yourself in industry, either with roles with increasing responsibility, or with key contributions to open source code, I wouldn't waste time with the degree.

[raffi]

I know someone else with a similar story to yours. One of the brightest security folks I know and no degree. Yet he is still involved in very important projects and no one would ever question his contribution.