What Does Cyber Security Consist of for Technology Students?

Technology has never been as prevalent in the world as it is today, and it's only going to become more common. It's why so many students are pursuing an education in technology as it will no doubt provide them with plenty of career opportunities. Not only are there many different technology jobs available, there are technology jobs that don't exist yet that will pop up in the future as a result of further technological advancements.

However, as technology has become more prevalent, so has cybercrime. As a result, there's a huge demand for cyber security specialists -- and even if you aren't going to focus on a cyber-security degree, you'll want to make sure that you learn enough about it to supplement whatever career in technology you do pursue.

What is Cyber Security?

Because almost all businesses have valuable data on their computer systems and vulnerabilities in their systems, whether it's employee information (which could include social security numbers and the like), customer information (such as credit card numbers), business plans, product schematics, financial information, and more, it's important that they keep this information secure.

Although the use of computer systems and the use of the cloud has made data storage much easier for businesses of all sizes, it has also resulted in an increase of cyber-attacks. Cyber criminals will try to steal valuable information or corrupt information using a variety of methods, including through use of computer viruses. Because of this, most businesses require some kind of cyber security. The bigger the business is, the more valuable their data is, which, in turn, requires stronger cyber security.

Cyber security involves a number of things, from password protecting computers and teaching staff safe computer practices to updating security software, backing up data and looking for -- and dealing with - potential breaches. It encompasses everything that's done to prevent cyber-attacks.

Why Should all Technology Students Know About Cyber Security?

Even if you don't want to go into a career that specifically focuses on cyber security, you should still be familiar with cyber security as a technology student. For example, if you decide to become a software engineer, you will want to make sure that the software you design won't be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The last thing you want is for your software to be taken over or corrupted by cyber criminals, causing massive problems for consumers who may have installed your software on their computers.

If you end up working with computers in general, you'll want to know what the best practices are for protecting yourself against cyber threats. Even if you work at a company that has a dedicated cyber security specialist, you'll still want to make sure that you don't accidentally expose the work that you do for your company to potential cyber-attacks.

What do Cyber Security Specialists Do?

Those who are interested in pursuing a career in cyber security, the following are some of the things that cyber security specialists tend to be responsible for:

• Planning - Cyber security specialists will need to gain an understanding of what kind of information they are protecting in order to identify what vulnerabilities exist and how the risk can be mitigated. This information is used to determine what types of security measures need to be implemented to protect that information. As part of the planning process, the cyber security specialist will also need to train the staff, explaining the security measures in a non-technical language.
• Securing - Once a cyber-security specialist has figured out the ins and outs of the system and determined where the vulnerabilities lie, they will be responsible for putting into place security measures, such as firewalls, password protection, antivirus software, and more.
• Monitoring - After cyber security methods have been implemented, the cyber security specialist will need to monitor the system so that they can track suspicious activity. They will generally use automated tools to collect data, which they will then analyze to identify any potential threats.
• Responding - If the network is hacked despite the security measures that were put into place, the cyber security specialist will have to identify exactly what happened, re-secure the system and identify the perpetrator.

Not only does a cyber security specialist help to protect the networks and data used by organizations of all types and sizes, in doing so they help to protect the private information of employees and customers, which, in many cases, can help to prevent identity theft and fraud.

There is a huge demand for cyber security specialists in the technology industry, especially as businesses grow more and more dependent on cloud computing. If you've always wanted to help people keep themselves safe on the networks and the internet in general, ECPI University offers degrees in cybersecurity. Including, a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security. If would you like more information about this career path, connect with one of our knowledgeable admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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