Technology is an integral part of our everyday lives and the rate at which individuals all over the world rely on it continues to grow. While the tech world expands, the threat of data breaches and cyberattacks increases, putting crucial personal and professional information in jeopardy. Because of this, the demand for highly trained cybersecurity professionals is higher than ever to protect one’s assets and fight against cybercrime.
Proceeding Events
While data breaches are not as novel in today’s climate as they once were, the damage that ensues from them can be insurmountable to millions of people at a time. In just the last five years, huge corporations such as Adobe, Equifax, LinkedIn, Yahoo, and Facebook all experienced destructive cyberattacks where credit card information, addresses, passwords, and an array of other sensitive forms of data were compromised. Although past events help cybersecurity professionals improve upon the levels in which to secure this data, cybercrime continues to rise at an alarming rate. Check out the top three reasons these individuals are needed in the IT industry.
1. Lack of Preparedness
Security is considered by every company, but the level at which they might need it often falls short. These days, hiring just anyone with cybersecurity experience might not cut it. For many, the gravity that these situations present don’t set in until after they happen. In order to be proactive in fighting against these crimes, companies must invest in their IT departments and budget accordingly to meet the needs of keeping their data secure. Having a deep understanding on how to secure and prepare ahead of time is a skill that companies are looking to acquire more and more as these events take place.
2. Financial Damages
Hackers exist to ultimately expose and profit off of the information they are acquiring. Because of this, a huge financial loss is experienced on behalf of the organization whose data was put at risk. With an increase in online transactions, people are willingly giving out their personal information to hundreds of different sites, making the personal financial risk exponentially higher. For a company, it typically costs millions of dollars to investigate what security measures were violated and to compensate for the damages made, as well as possible legal fees and fines that might occur. After accessing the damages that affect their consumers, companies are also tasked with creating a more secure system resulting in a substantial financial deficit. In addition to the damage control needed to be assessed, the reputation and value of the company suffer, affecting future success and profits.
3. An Increase of Highly Intelligent Hackers
As technologies advance, so does the intelligence of hackers. They are continuing to take advantage of the ways that the cyber world is evolving. Most of their success in obtaining personal information is due to the use of weak usernames and passwords, along with security flaws set in place by businesses. As the world becomes more connected through the internet, the vulnerabilities of these systems are weakened. Hackers continue to find loopholes and gaps within security systems to exploit personal and professional information for their gain. Cybersecurity professionals are imperative to the workforce in order to stay a step ahead of these potential hazards and create an in-depth strategy to combat them.
The trajectory at which cyber risks are occurring demands experts in the field of security. But learning the ins and outs of the industry to avoid these issues doesn’t happen overnight. ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Administration explores the principles and applications to overcome the adversities of cybersecurity and prepares you to take on the ever-changing tech industry with competence and confidence.
Interested in learning more? Check out our recent blog featuring Program Director, Dr. Joe Feliciano, or contact us at 855-219-7300 and acu.edu/online.