October 2015 is a month like any other, with one exception: the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has officially designated it National Cyber Security Awareness Month. And what a month it has been so far. Information technology professionals, cybersecurity experts and public relations departments at multiple high-profile corporations have had their hands full trying to mitigate the damage caused by a bevy of big breaches.
So far this October, Experian announced a breach that may have compromised personal information of 15 million T-Mobile customers and potential customers; discount financial brokerage Scottrade revealed that contact information of approximately 4.6 million clients may have been stolen by hackers; Dow Jones, publisher of The Wall Street Journal, wrote a letter to customers informing them that the credit card data of approximately 3,500 individuals may have been pilfered; and Donald Trump's hotel company revealed that malware on its system may have resulted in stolen payment card data.
Life's a breach
With no shortage of reminders from daily reports of new hack attacks, professional IT workers are well aware of the cyber risks pervading today's connected world. Keeping defenses updated and optimized is a huge component of day-to-day operations in workplaces, regardless of their size and reputation. And while workers in departments other than computer technology probably don't wake up on any given day thinking that their company will be hacked, the possibility of a crippling cyberattack keeps some chief information officers up at night, and for good reason.
The global economy takes an estimated $400 billion hit every year as a result of cyberattacks, according to a June 2014 study by international security firm McAfee. A lot hinges upon IT professionals' ability to protect company assets, and CIOs bear the brunt of any failure to do so.
Cyber risks are creating greater demand for cybersecurity talent.There is a silver lining - for IT security training
As the number of cyberthreats skyrocket, so too does the demand for trained IT security professionals who know how to defend against them, a recent study by Burning Glass Technologies Research found. As such, now is the time for aspiring computer science gurus, rusty IT whizzes and those who are generally interested in the art of tech wizardry to consider ramping up their skills. One of the best ways to do this is through acquiring the right credentials; for example, CCNA certification, CCSP certification, CompTIA security certification, Cisco security certification, or any number of various forms of network security certification.
So while DHS trumpets the importance of mitigating risks in the digital age, consider celebrating National Cyber Security Awareness month in the most appropriate way possible: By joining the fight against cybercriminals and data thieves. There's no better place than here and there's no better time than now.
Happy National Cyber Security Awareness Month!
Join us for Cyber Security: Pathway to Forensics, a two hour webcast that will introduce the viewer to basic concepts of computer forensics and receive CEU credits. Register here!More links
- Cyber Security: Pathways to Forensics Register for either a morning or an afternoon session to learn the basics of computer forensics!
- CompTIA Training & CertificationAs an authorized provider of CompTIA training, New Horizons Southern California delivers CompTIA certification training that provides real-world skills for entry-level computer service technicians, networking professionals and security specialists.
- Cisco Training & CertificationsWhether you're new to Cisco or ready to advance your existing Cisco skills, New Horizons Southern California can help you obtain three levels of Cisco certifications, including entry, associate and professional—all accreditations that are highly valued by employers and networking professionals worldwide.
- Information Security TrainingExplore our information security certifications!
- A Stranger in the Server RoomAre you cyber-safe?
