The Demand For Careers in Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is illegal activity conducted online like stealing personal information, hacking into systems, spreading malware and tricking people out of their private data or money. It can also cause damage to computer devices that can lead to lost services, opportunities and reputations. Cybercrime can be found on the individual level, in businesses and organizations, and even in government and military settings. It can take many forms, from phishing attacks, spoofing and spam to cyberstalking or blackmail.
As more and more people rely on computers, the Internet, and digital devices to communicate, work and play, cyber criminals are exploiting these technologies in more sophisticated ways. As a result, the need for professionals with expertise in cyber security has increased.
The demand for careers in cybersecurity is fueled by the fact that we can’t avoid connecting to our online lives at any time of day or night. However, the amount of data a person or business shares over the Internet makes it vulnerable to cyberattacks and fraud. And as a growing number of jobs move to remote locations, cyberattacks are becoming more common and impacting a larger portion of the population.
It can take just one massive data breach to erode a person’s trust in the companies they use for banking, social media and more. Just look at the data breaches of Target, Costco and Home Depot or the recent NotPetya ransomware outbreak that affected dozens of companies from shipping giant Maersk to pharmaceutical company Merck. And as more and more individuals connect to the Internet through virtual office platforms like Zoom or Slack, they are exposing themselves to vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.