Cybersecurity Definition: What is this Field all About?
Cybersecurity has evolved from just a few years ago to take a front-and-center position on the national stage. We have seen everything from Hollywood actors’ salaries shared, to massive companies like Yahoo! breached. Defending against these electronic attacks becomes increasingly important, and the front lines of that defense are peopled by great, talented folks working in cybersecurity.
What is Cybersecurity?
Most people have never heard of NICCS — the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies. NICCS is the official website of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The NICCS is a guide to the very real excitement of securing corporate, private, municipal, state and federal information networks.
NICCS defines cybersecurity as “the activity or process, ability or capability, or state whereby information and communications systems and the information contained therein are protected from and/or defended against damage, unauthorized use or modification, or exploitation.”
This definition is, says NICCS, only partial. Their extended definition breaks apart into three general areas for ease of comprehension: strategy, policy, and standards regarding the security of, and operations in, cyberspace.
Cybersecurity encompasses the full range of:
- Threat reduction
- Vulnerability reduction
- Deterrence
- International engagement
- Incident response
- Resiliency
Cybersecurity means having in place recovery policies and activities, including:
- computer network operations
- information assurance
- law enforcement
- Diplomacy
- Military
- intelligence missions
These facets relate to the security and stability of the global information and communications infrastructure.
What does Cybersecurity Mean for You?
With the right education and training, the field of cybersecurity is to today’s ambitious, talented person as the 1849 Gold Rush was to the 19th century’s bravest adventurers. It is raw opportunity, and a chance to shape the future.
Cybersecurity means holding a position of status and importance in any organization:
- Private company
- Publicly held company
- Municipal government
- State government
- Federal government
- Non-profit
- International non-governmental organization (NGO)
Cybersecurity means being ever-vigilant, constantly acquiring new skills, and safeguarding your employer’s intellectual, financial and electronic property. It means preventing mayhem in machinery, answering anxious calls from cringing colleagues, and corralling wayward computers.
How Do You Gain Entry into Cybersecurity?
Entry-level positions that relate to, or can lead to, cybersecurity:
- Computer forensics
- Information technology specialist
- Network security
- Security engineer
Why is Formal Education so Important in Cybersecurity?
Education and intellect are highly valued in cybersecurity. You can be talented and smart, but if you are not learned in the ways of cybersecurity, you cannot apply that talent to current issues.
Formal education lays the groundwork for a lifetime of additional learning. Cybersecurity demands extremely specialized certifications:
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
- GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Not one of these specialized certifications will come to you without a great, formal education that covers these basics:
- Routing and switching
- Network protocols and services
- Network scripting
- Ethical hacking
- Wireless security
- Storage area networks and disaster recovery
To find opportunity in cybersecurity, consider CyberSeek’s Cybersecurity Supply/Demand Heat Map.
Enroll in ECPI University’s program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security — Cybersecurity Track. With a complete, formal education from ECPI University, you could be prepared to apply for and begin that entry-level position in cybersecurity that leads to prestige, respect and financial security. Contact ECPI University today!
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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