Cybersecurity is essential to the future of our modern society. The world is a different place than it was just a few years ago, and it has become just as important to secure networks and sensitive data as it is to secure physical locations and people.
Cybersecurity Overview
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity is the field of protecting the cyberspace infrastructure from a wide variety of physical and virtual attacks. These attacks range in purpose from stealing classified information to causing damage in protest of an ideal, and are carried out by individuals and governments across the globe. The field of Cybersecurity also tries to identify and protect against the production and distribution of child pornography, human trafficking, and bank and financial fraud. These crimes have evolved using the internet and online networking to make them even harder to identify that they already were.
Cybersecurity Challenges
A challenging and difficult task, cybersecurity faces many daunting hurdles. Most physical resources are linked and, in many cases, controlled by online devices. This puts our infrastructure at risk for online attacks in the physical world. Disruptions to our everyday life and economy are a main focus of cybersecurity professionals. Another challenge that Cybersecurity technicians face is that the people and groups that are performing malicious cyber acts can be located anywhere in the world, and are often incredibly difficult to find.
Cybersecurity Jobs
Most positions within the Cybersecurity field are related to the management of networks and data. Network and Systems Engineers are vital to protecting networks and detecting flaws in those systems. Database Architects design and develop secure databases in order to solve complex problems. A variety of database management tools are available to maximize effectiveness in this field. Intelligence Analysts plan and prepare processes for the most sensitive material. They analyze and report on the materials and how they are secured.
Education
An important role in the Cybersecurity landscape is the ability to educate others. This involves working with children and family users to safely navigate the internet as well as advancing programs in colleges and universities in order to stay ahead of the advancing threats and innovations. The nature of our online society is fast-paced and constantly evolving, and there needs to be a strong workforce to keep up.
Cybersecurity Organizations
Organizations have formed to increase the effectiveness and improve the understanding of Cybersecurity for students, educators, and professionals in the field. The IEEE Cybersecurity Initiative was formed in 2014 and features interviews and articles that assist in spreading the most current updates and data in the field. These organizations try to predict what the future holds for Cybersecurity, developing and researching emerging technologies and issues.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Homeland Security Degree Programs
Advancements in networking, cyberspace, and technology have created a need for a new kind of security that focuses on keeping us safe from malicious acts that can affect us on a personal level and up to a national security level. To fight against this type of crime, and secure our data and networks, there is the quickly advancing field of Cybersecurity.
