Careers in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity protects networks, systems, applications and digital assets from unauthorized access, cyberattacks, malware, data breaches and other threats that could damage businesses and consumers. By leveraging encryption techniques, access controls and other security protocols, cybersecurity measures safeguard confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and infrastructure.
With so much of our daily lives now dependent on technology—whether it’s communicating with friends and family through email or social media, banking online, shopping for groceries or medical records, or using GPS navigation devices in our cars—it’s crucial that our systems are secure. But a single breach can have massive, irreparable consequences. As hackers become more sophisticated and evade conventional defenses, it’s no longer enough to just rely on antivirus software and firewalls. Cybersecurity specialists monitor user access to networks, assets and data to ensure that those who should have access can do so and that those who shouldn’t, cannot.
Zero trust takes a new approach, combining a castle-and-moat mentality with continuous monitoring to prevent lateral movement within the network by constantly confirming users’ identity and enforcing granular security controls at every point of entry. OT (operational technology) security combines IT solutions with those used in industrial systems to ensure the safety and reliability of technologies that control physical processes in industries like manufacturing, energy and transportation, reducing downtime and disruption.
A career in cybersecurity begins with a solid foundation of IT, networking and coding skills. Many cybersecurity professionals start their careers in helpdesk, support and systems administration roles before transitioning to specialized cybersecurity positions. Some even choose to compete in a National Cyber League capture-the-flag team competition to strengthen their technical skill sets, as Harvard Extension School’s RedTeam did when they won first place at the NCL in 2021.