The Growing Need for Cybersecurity Professionals

As people rely more heavily on technology to help manage their daily lives, the threat of cyber crime continues to escalate.

President Barack Obama has said that “cyber threats pose one [of] the gravest national security dangers that the United States faces … it’s clear that much more work needs to be done to enhance our cybersecurity.”

In recent months, several large-scale cyber attacks have affected major companies such as Target, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Home Depot. The data breaches may have compromised bank records, credit card numbers and other private information, including usernames, passwords, emails, phone numbers and addresses.

Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals

According to a June, 2014 study by the RAND Corporation, “the nationwide shortage of cybersecurity professionals – particularly for positions within the federal government – creates risks for national and homeland security.”

Traditional IT professionals may not be fully trained in cybersecurity tactics, and some organizations may not be willing or able to spend a significant amount of money on companywide cybersecurity awareness training.

In some cases, employers may understand the need to upgrade cybersecurity measures but are unsure about how to address the problem.

According to RAND’s study, “Hackers Wanted: An Examination of the Cybersecurity Labor Market,” the recent data breaches are pushing the demand for cybersecurity experts to “stratospheric heights.”

Cybersecurity Training and Awareness

One way to fight cyber crime is to effectively educate the public through cybersecurity awareness campaigns. Cyber attacks pose a threat to everyone, not just companies. It’s important to educate users about cybersecurity in order to help them protect their personal information from cyber thieves.

Here are some tips to help increase cybersecurity awareness and better protect private information online:

• Set strong passwords and don’t share them with anyone.
• Use free resources. For example, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers tips and guidance designed to help the public guard against hackers and other online intruders.
• Develop a training program where users can learn from their mistakes in a safe environment.
• Be cautious about opening links or attachments as they may contain malware. If an email looks suspicious, don’t open it.

Job Outlook

Training and awareness are important for educating the public, but cybersecurity professionals are vital in today’s business world. They help develop new ways to combat cyber threats, and are the main line of defense against spamming, phishing, malware, viruses and other cybersecurity threats.

As cyber attacks have increased, so has the demand for professionals who are trained to stop such attacks.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for cybersecurity professionals is strong. For example, employment of Information Security Analysts is projected to increase by 18% between 2014 and 2024, a rate significantly faster than the national average for all occupations.

Education

IT professionals looking to hone their skills may find a professional cybersecurity certificate beneficial. Employers typically view certificates as a way to identify job candidates who have specific skill-sets, and obtaining an advanced certificate in cybersecurity can help applicants stand out from the crowd. It can also demonstrate a strong commitment to the profession, which may boost career advancement and earnings potential.

Villanova University offers offers a Cybersecurity Certificate, 100% online. In addition to preparing professionals for industry certifications, Villanova’s certificate program provides the skills needed to bolster information security systems against cyber threats.