Digital Security As a Career
Just as you might lock away heirloom jewelry in a safe, put the title to your home in a vault, or put passwords behind locked doors, digital security protects your online identity and keeps malicious actors at bay. Digital security practices and tools range from parental controls to password managers, antivirus programs, and encryption software. It also extends to understanding the dangers of apps, knowing what information they’re sharing, and being mindful about what you click on.
As a career, cyber security has boomed as organizations across industries seek to combat rising cybercrime rates. It’s an exciting field to enter as the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing worldwide, with 3.5 million open positions currently according to McKinsey.
The term “digital security” is sometimes used interchangeably with cybersecurity, though they are distinct concepts with different applications. Digital security refers to an individual’s ability to safeguard his or her personal information, while cybersecurity describes an organization’s technology-based efforts to protect customer and employee data.
Viruses and malware are among the most common forms of digital security threats. They can infect devices and steal data, causing a host of problems that can range from minor to catastrophic. Antivirus and spyware software are essential digital security tools that help keep devices protected from such infections.
Other types of digital security include personal health information (PHI), which includes details about an individual’s medical history, prescription drug use, and healthcare subscriptions, along with doctor and hospital visits. PHI is a gold mine for high-rolling cybercriminals, who can use it to order and resell drugs or submit fraudulent insurance claims. Other digital security tools, such as a VPN or anonymizing browser like Tor, allow users to surf the web without being tracked and enable multi-layer encryption.