My career arch is much like yours but at the same time I grew up wearing a greyhat much like how my beard is becoming: black then with time white was added. Most employers value security and actively encourage any efforts in increasing their security posture. Are there not efforts in your current career to "scratch the itch" so to speak? I would agree with many that certs are worthless unless you intend to work as a third party auditor but being able to "talk the talk and walk the walk" matters more.