Careers in Cyber-security
The digital age has introduced unprecedented connectivity and convenience, but it has also opened the door to growing threats. Cyber-security defends internet-connected devices and data from phishing attacks, ransomware, identity theft, and other forms of malicious software that can lead to serious financial losses or even national security implications.
The pillars of Cyber-security are confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA). Confidentiality ensures that data is only available to authorized individuals, while integrity maintains the accuracy and trustworthiness of information. Lastly, availability ensures that data and services are available when needed. To protect against these threats, cybersecurity tools include firewalls that act as barriers to control network traffic, encryption software that transforms readable information into a secure form, and intrusion detection systems that scan for suspicious activity and alert administrators of potential risks.
Another key element of cybersecurity is staff awareness. Training employees on industry best practices, organizational procedures and policies, and reporting suspicious activities is critical to protecting sensitive data and preventing security breaches.
With more opportunities for careers in cybersecurity than there are qualified candidates, a career in the field can be a great choice for recent graduates and those looking to make a change. However, it is important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all path to success in the field. Explore a variety of ways to get into the field, including entry-level positions and making lateral moves based on your skills and interests. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs in Cyber-security to grow faster than the average for all computer-related occupations, and four times as fast as all American jobs overall.