What Can You Do with a Cyber Degree?

A swift look into the job postings for cybersecurity on popular job sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed.com and Monster.com show that there is a wide range of opportunities in multiple locations ranging from junior to senior positions.

Examples of cybersecurity careers include:

Cybersecurity Infrastructure Manager	This position helps secure important infrastructure (highways, bridges, tunnels, etc.) from terrorist attacks and works with others to increase security in public places and other “soft targets.”
Lead Cybersecurity Engineer	This senior-level engineering position demonstrates top coding and leadership skills.
Cybersecurity Analyst	As a cybersecurity analyst, you will plan and implement security measures to protect the computer networks and systems of a company or organization.
Cybersecurity Manager	Also known as information security managers and information systems security managers, these professionals identify potential areas of vulnerability. They also enhance security to safeguard valuable company data and typically manage the information systems team.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)	This is the executively chiefly responsible for an organization’s information and data security.
Cloud Cybersecurity Analyst	This role helps design and construct cloud security architectures and reviews and analyzes cloud security measures.
Cybersecurity Forensics Professional	A digital forensics professional works on a cyber crime — in other words, information that has been stolen (or illegally passed through) electronic and digital devices such as cell phones, computers, networks, etc.
Cybersecurity Consultant	A cybersecurity consultant is a professional who assesses the security and risk of a business or organization and provides solutions and recommendations on safety measures, protection and best practices. This position could work directly for an organization or provide consulting services.
Vice President, Information and Cybersecurity	This position is similar to the high-level CISO role in which a person helps maintain and improve an organization’s information and data security measures.
Product Marketing Manager – Cybersecurity	This position focuses on the brand messaging and marketing of cybersecurity products and services.
Cybersecurity SME with Security Clearance	A cybersecurity subject matter expert (SME) could specialize in a variety of topics, such as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) or federal information security. Clearances are typically required for cyber jobs in government agencies (FBI, NSA, CIA, etc.), government contractors (Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, etc.) and organizations that work with government contractors. There are three types of security clearances: confidential, secret and top secret.
Cybersecurity News Writer	This news writer works for a media outlet (newspaper, television station, etc.), a general interest or niche magazine, or a particular company/website that focuses on cybersecurity issues. Writing may include articles, blog posts, press releases, social media content and newsletters.
Cybersecurity Developer	This type of developer creates computer programs that help keep systems, networks and information safe.
Lead Cybersecurity Threat Hunter	As the name implies, this position seeks out and monitors cyber threats and typically works within a team to improve threat detection and improve overall security measures.
Program Manager – Cybersecurity	This position typically heads up a cybersecurity program and may also be called compliance manager, program lead, IT governance manager, portfolio manager or IT infrastructure/security manager.
Cybersecurity Specialist	Often called information (IT) security specialists or network security specialists, people in these positions play a central role in securing the information systems of businesses and other organizations.
Cybersecurity Incident Response Manage	A person in this role helps to identify, analyze and figure out how a business or organization will respond to a security incident.
Network Administrator	Network administrators are responsible for the daily operations of computer networks. They typically design, manage and maintain networks, helping to oversee LANs, WANs, network segments and other systems.
Systems Administrator	A systems administrator is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the computer systems and servers. This includes software installation and updates, participating in research and development and resolving issues related to computers and server systems.
Ethical Hacker	Ethical hackers are paid to try to break into computer systems. They are involved in penetration testing, vulnerability assessments and a range of strategies intended to keep their organizations safe from cyber attacks.
Security Auditor	Security auditors work with companies and organizations to provide comprehensive audits of online security systems.
Cybersecurity Consultant	A person in this position assesses the security and risk of a business or organization and ultimately provides solutions and recommendations on safety measures and protection.
Cybersecurity Architect	A cybersecurity architect is a senior-level position responsible for planning, designing, testing, implementing and maintaining an organization’s computer and network security infrastructure.
Penetration Tester	The professionals performing this job are a specific type of ethical hacker. Many large organizations are hiring full-time employees or third-party contractors to infiltrate their computer systems to detect and address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber criminals.
Information Security Analyst	Named the #1 in 100 Best Jobs by U.S. News & World Report , professionals in these positions are described as “the gatekeepers or security guards of information systems” due to their scope of responsibilities related to preventing, monitoring and responding to data breaches and cyber attacks.

Where Do Your Graduates Work?

Pursuing higher education is advantageous for those wanting to work in the cyber security field, and graduates of our program are dedicating themselves to guaranteeing that networks remain secure everywhere.

Top Skills the Professionals Recommend Having

The skills most mentioned by the cybersecurity professionals we interviewed include:

Soft Skills:

Active listening and clear verbal and written communication
Attention to detail
Humility and the curiosity to seek new skills and information
Creative and technical problem solving
Adaptability and a team mindset
Radiating calm when it feels like a storm

Hard Skills:

Explain technical topics in plain English
Computer science fundamentals
Pick up a subfield and become an expert in it
Know at least one programming or scripting language
Being familiar with the attack tools/techniques in the Mitre Att&ck framework
Tracking complex engagements and manage multiple pieces of evidence
Information management and high-risk decision making

The importance and challenges of cyber security

Given the fast changing technological landscape and the ever rising use of software in fields such as finance, government, military, retail, hospitals, education and energy, a large amount of info is now accessible digitally, whether via wireless networks or through the internet. The valuable data here must be shielded from evildoers with a reliable cyber-security system and procedures.

It is clear that effective cyber security practices are essential in light of recent incidents that have exposed the security flaws of major companies, such as Equifax, Yahoo, and the U.S. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) suffered an extraordinary loss of very confidential user information that caused them both extensive monetary damage and to suffer a hit to their reputation. It appears that the speed of cyber-attacks is growing and is not likely to decrease. Attackers are continually targeting enterprises of all sizes in an attempt to get their hands on delicate data or disrupt operations.

Technological developments create both opportunities and difficulties in putting into action successful cyber security plans. Updates and alterations to software bring about fresh problems and weak points, which make it more susceptible to hacker attacks. In addition, the IT system is changing as organizations are transforming their traditional internal infrastructures to cloud-based ones, which produces an extensive set of issues with plans and set up that leads to a brand-new range of risks. Many companies are unaware of the potential hazards their IT system contains, and therefore do not put any protective cyber security measures in place until the damage is already done.

What is a cyber-attack?

A cyber-attack is a deliberate act by malicious outside or inside sources that aims to break into and tamper with the information systems of a particular company or individual for their own gain. This includes disrupting the safety, accuracy, and availability of the data in those systems. Cybercriminals employ illegitimate tactics, tools, and strategies in order to cause destruction and disruptions or achieve unlawful access to computers, gadgets, networks, programs, and databases.

Cyber-attacks come in a wide variety and the following list highlights some of important ones that criminals and attackers use to exploit software:

Malware
Ransomware
Injection attacks (e.g., cross-site scripting, SQL injection, command injection)
Session management and Man-in-the-Middle attacks
Phishing
Denial of service
Privilege escalations
Unpatched/Vulnerable software
Remote code execution
Brute force

What’s the difference between a cyber-attack and a security breach?

A cyber-assault is distinct from a violation of security. An attempt to breach the security of a system is what is meant by a cyber-attack. Attempting to breach the privacy, reliability, or access of a program or network by using a variety of cyber-attacks as mentioned in the previous part is what attackers attempt to do. A security breach occurs when a malicious cyber-attack leads to the unauthorized access of sensitive information, unusable IT systems, or a disruption of services.

Assailants persistently attempt a wide variety of cyber-assaults on their objectives with the hope that one of them will lead to a breach of security. This, therefore, indicates that a comprehensive cyber security plan must also include Business Continuity and Incident Response (BC-IR) to address security breaches. BC-IR can provide assistance to organizations that have been targeted by a successful cyber-attack. Business Continuity focuses on preserving essential business processes in the event of a cyber security occurrence, while Incident Response entails reacting to a security violation to limit its effects in addition to aiding with the recovery of IT and Business systems.

top cyber security best practices to prevent a breach

1. Conduct cyber security training and awareness

A cyber security plan would be rendered ineffective unless employees are educated about cybersecurity, company rules, and how to report incidents. Even the most reliable security measures could be compromised when employees make mistakes or carry out malicious activities, resulting in an expensive data breach. The most effective way to cut down on carelessness and protect against any security breaches is to provide training to staff and to make sure they understand company regulations and the proper security procedures through seminars, classes, or online training.

2. Perform risk assessments

Organizations should undertake a detailed evaluation of risk in order to recognize all of the precious assets and rank them according to the effect a breach of an asset would have. This will assist organizations in determining the most efficient means of utilizing their assets to protect their valuable assets.

3. Ensure vulnerability management and software patch management/updates

It is essential for corporate IT divisions to recognize, categorize, fix, and decrease the danger of failings within all applications and networks they use, to minimize the risk to their IT frameworks. On top of that, security specialists and malicious hackers consistently come up with more security problems within a range of software applications, which are then reported to the companies responsible for the software or revealed publicly. Malicious software and cyber criminals often take advantage of these weaknesses. Software providers periodically release updates that take care of and reduce the risk of these security weaknesses. Therefore, keeping IT systems up-to-date helps protect organizational assets.

4. Use the principle of least privilege

The idea that fewer permissions should be granted to software and personnel calls for the minimal amount of authority necessary for them to execute their roles. This assists in reducing the harm of a successful security invasion as user accounts/programs having less privileges would not be able to affect important resources that need a higher degree of permissions. Two-factor authentication should be set up for all user accounts that have unrestricted access and require high security.

5. Enforce secure password storage and policies

Companies should make sure that all staff members use passwords that follow industry standards for security. It is necessary to make them alter their passwords regularly in order to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, the management of passwords should conform to the suggestions of industry specialists with respect to the implementation of salts and robust encryption processes.

6. Create a strong protocol for business continuity and incident response.

Putting together a sound BC-IR arrangement and regulations will help an organization rapidly handle digital assaults and security penetrations while guaranteeing important business frameworks stay operational.

7. Perform periodic security reviews

Undergoing occasional security inspections of all software and networks assists in the detection of potential security problems in a secure atmosphere. A security review entails examining a number of components such as application and network penetration testing, assessing source code, reviewing architecture design, and conducting red team assessments. It is vital to prioritize and address deficiencies immediately upon discovery of any security flaws.

8. Backup data

Periodically saving copies of all data will increase protection against loss or damage resulting from a security breach and ensure that sensitive information is safeguarded. Injections and ransomware are forms of attack that damage the accuracy and accessibility of data. Backups can help protect in such cases.