Economic situation impact on independent consultants

[Victor DaViking <analogviking () yahoo com>]

Hi list,

I'm writing this time with a personal question. Being an independent consultant myself, I've noticed a major drop in 
terms of assessment opportunities for what's 2009 so far. I'd dare to credit that change to the "world financial 
crisis", ergo I've been wondering how everyone else is living/experiencing these current times. 

Personally, when talking about opportunities, I go for source code reviews and penetration testing exercises. I try to 
avoid projects related to IT, forensics, standards (PCI, SOX, ..); so I wouldn't know if there's been any change on 
those fields.

Companies get hit, so they cut costs. They lay off people, and get rid of their security budget? Maybe partially and 
keep just assessment related to security Standards? or not even that? I guess this means the "black market" grows, 
meaning that.. given the right contacts, assessment availability is a matter of ethics?

Do you find your deals through intermediary consulting firms or do you deal with clients directly? That should also 
help.

Or just maybe it's tough luck and I need to refresh some contacts. If that's the case, and you tend to have projects, 
contact me, I'm interested! ;)

Thanks for your time.
-AV

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http://www.penetrationtests.com/



      

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