ASK HN: How to become security expert
iamdave: Assuming you're talking about network security (and if you're not the principles still apply), I would recommend nothing more than learning about what you want to secure first.  Learn about networkring, the ins and out of networking.  Where I went to school to even get into the network security course you HAD to get an associates in the general networking course.  In that case, I'd look at the Cisco networking academy.  (Http://cisco.netacad.net)If it's software, the very same.  Learn about the software you want to secure FIRST.