If you’re new to the world of cybersecurity, it can be intimidating. There are so many acronyms, and it seems like everyone knows something that you don’t. Even seasoned cybersecurity professionals will agree that the industry is growing at a rapid pace, with new threats and vulnerabilities emerging on an almost daily basis. Think about all the cyber attacks that made headlines in 2017 alone – WannaCry, NotPetya, CCleaner, FedEx, Adobe Flash zero-day exploits… If you’re not already working in the field of information security or have some experience working with computers and software programs, then it can feel like there are secret challenges only people with advanced degrees understand. But as challenging as this field may seem right now, it’s also incredibly rewarding once you get past the initial learning curve.
What Is Cyber Security?
Cybersecurity is the protection of networks, computer systems, and information against damage or unauthorized access. This can be achieved through a combination of different security disciplines, categories of controls and various security controls such as identification and authentication, access control, computer security, network security, and operational security. Cybersecurity includes, but is not limited to, the following: - Cyber threat detection and mitigation - Cyber crime investigations - Cyber risk and incident response planning
Why is Cyber Security Important?
Organizations across the globe are switching to cloud services to reduce their operational costs, integrate data and increase collaboration among employees. Cloud computing alone is expected to reach $335 billion in 2018, and there is no denying that the cloud is a powerful tool for businesses. - Cloud services are also convenient to use, and most are accessible through a web browser or mobile app. This allows employees to work remotely, which is especially useful for workers who travel frequently or have to move between offices. - The cloud is also much more secure than people might think. Cloud service providers use advanced security technologies, including encryption, to protect your data from cyber threats. - But the best protection at the moment is people. And that’s where cybersecurity comes in. - A bump in the road for cybersecurity could result in stolen identities, broken data and broken business continuity. - Cybersecurity is much more than internet security. It’s about protecting everything from power grids to transportation, health care and financial systems. - And cybersecurity professionals are the people who are responsible for protecting these critical systems and networks from cyber threats. - The field of cybersecurity includes many different specialties, such as network security, information security, threat intelligence and more.
How to Get Started in Cyber Security?
If the above description of cybersecurity makes you curious, you’ve come to the right place. The first step to getting started in this field is to find out if it’s right for you. Ask yourself these questions: - What do you like? What do you excel at? - What are you passionate about? What do you want to get better at? - What are you good at? What are you bad at? - What type of environment do you thrive in?
IT Infrastructure and Networking
The data that travels through your company’s computer networks is extremely sensitive, whether it comes from your customers, employees or third-party vendors. If you’re in charge of data security or you want to be, the first thing you should do is learn more about the IT infrastructure that supports your organization’s computer networks. It may not sound glamorous, but it’s essential to securing sensitive data. - The data center: The physical location where your company hosts its server racks, storage devices, routers and switches. - The Internet: An international network that connects all computer networks together. Geographically, the Internet spans approximately 57,955,152 square miles. - The cloud: A network of remote servers hosted by third-party cloud service providers (CSPs) that offer a variety of online business operations and productivity tools. - Virtual private network (VPN): A network that uses a secure connection to transmit data. It’s typically used for remote connectivity and data encryption. - Firewalls: A network security device that monitors and filters data packets traveling between your private network and the Internet. It can also block malicious websites and malware.
Computer Science and Programming Skills
While you may not need to know how to write code to get started in cybersecurity, it’s critical to have an understanding of how computers and software work. That way, you’ll know what to look for when it comes to vulnerabilities, exploits and other cyber threats. - Computer architecture: The design and engineering of computers, their components and how they work together. - Computer software: The instructions that computer systems use to perform their functions. - Software development: The process of creating or modifying computer software. - Computer languages: The formal languages and standardized rules used to create software.
Conclusion
Cyber security is an industry with a great future. It’s projected to grow by an average of 8.2% per year from 2018 to 2023, with a projected increase of 1,232,800 new jobs over the next decade. If you’re interested in a career that is directly contributing to keeping the world safe, consider getting started in cybersecurity. When you’re ready to start the application process, make sure to brush up on any computer skills you might be lacking and research the different types of cybersecurity positions out there. There are many paths to becoming a cybersecurity professional.