Category: Cyber Industry

The future of cyber security is an ever-evolving and increasingly important field. With the rise of digital technology, cyber security threats have become more prevalent and damaging to individuals, businesses, and governments alike. This has made it essential for all these entities to remain vigilant in protecting their information assets.

In this blog post, we will provide an overview of the current cyber security threats and discuss the emerging technologies that are being developed to improve cyber security. Let’s review the future of cyber security technologies that may help protect you against these dangerous threats.

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Table of Contents

The Future of Cyber Security: Overview of New Technologies…Read below to know more!

Table of Contents

The Current State of Cyber Security

Emerging Technologies in Cyber Security

Where Quantum Computing Comes In

Remote Working Cyber Security Risks

The Growing Role of AI In Cyber Security

AI-Driven Cyber Security & Ethical Complications

Conclusion

The Current State of Cyber Security

In order to anticipate the future of cyber security, it’s important to first have an understanding of its current state. Today’s global cyber security landscape is changing rapidly. Malware, phishing, ransomware, data breaches, and other malicious cyber activities are all increasing in sophistication and prevalence. The current security defense will become obsolete in the near future as more zero-day attacks and advanced persistent threats are leveraged by adversaries. And, as industry experts look to develop and integrate new technologies in cyber security solutions, adversaries are also continuously innovating their attack vectors.

As a result, the global market of cyber security is also anticipated to grow in the incoming years. According to Grand View Research, in 2022 the global cyber security market, valued at $202.72 billion, is only projected to expand even further to 2030.

Current and Future Attack Methods

Today’s digital landscape is constantly evolving and is more hostile than ever. Over 2,200 digital attacks happen each day which breaks down to nearly 1 cyberattack every 39 seconds. Some of today’s common digital security threats include:

Malware & Ransomware

Denial of Service Attacks

Man in the Middle Attacks

Phishing Attacks

SQL Injection

Password Attacks

Social Engineering

State-sponsored Espionage

Third-Party Exposure

Faulty Configurations Exploitation

Cloud Vulnerabilities

Mobile Device Vulnerabilities

Vulnerable Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

Information Manipulation and Disinformation

Zero-day Vulnerabilities

While common security threats like the above mentioned continue to evolve and wreak havoc globally, there is a wave of new threats coming in the near future:

Hybrid Security Threats

Crypto Cracking and Mining

Exploiting AI and ML

Deepfakes

Internet of Compromised Things

Cybercrime-as-a-Service (CaaS)

Polymorphic Malware

Malware Automation

Advanced Third-party Attacks

Global Use of IoT Devices

In fact, according to Statista, global use of IoT devices will increase from 42.6 billion to over 75.4 billion by 2025.

Continuously increasing adoption of IoT devices ultimately means a higher volume and mobility of data with an increased attack surface. Currently, most IoT devices aren’t robust enough to prevent cyber-attacks and present an easy opportunity for malicious actors to gain access to a network. Therefore, with the world becoming more interconnected and data being shared at a higher rate, the risk of cyber-attacks is now greater than ever.

Emerging Technologies in Cyber Security

With the increasing prevalence of cybercrime, industry experts are relentlessly looking to harness the power of next-generation security technologies to defend against the threats of tomorrow. New technologies also are being developed to improve cyber security and protect against malicious actors. The innovative next-gen technologies will shape the future on a global scale and have the potential to drastically change the way we think about cyber security.

AI-powered Defensive Security

Increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is one trend that is likely to shape the future of cyber security. AI and ML can help detect patterns and anomalies in large data sets to identify potential cyber threats more quickly.

AI-powered security solutions are used to monitor, detect, and prevent cyber-attacks. Such intelligent solutions track suspicious activity across networks, flagging any potentially malicious behavior for further investigation. Additionally, AI can simulate attacks against networks and systems, allowing companies to identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities before they’re exploited. AI also classifies malware and identifies new threats quickly, ensuring that organizations can respond quickly and effectively to malicious attacks.

Advanced Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology is expected to play a critical role in providing secure and reliable data transmission for both individuals and organizations in the incoming years. Cyber security experts are now utilizing blockchain to safeguard the systems and devices they design, create a standard set of security protocols, and make it almost impossible for hackers to penetrate databases. One of the main benefits of blockchain is that it creates better user privacy, eliminates human error, adds transparency to business interactions, and eliminates the need for costly third-party verification. As a result, blockchain lessens the problem of data storage with data spread across networks, the end result is a decentralized system that is less vulnerable to data breaches by hackers.

Context-Aware Security

Context-aware security is a new technology for keeping information secure and for reducing the risk of external cyber security breaches. Traditional cyber security technologies can tell, for instance, if someone trying to get on the system is trustworthy by a yes/no question. However, this process has its downsides, including the potential to inconvenience legitimate users, leading to reduced productivity.

Context-aware security reduces the likelihood of mistakenly denying an authorized user. Rather than being restricted to a series of pre-existing questions with binary yes or no responses, it takes into account more information like time of day, location, and the device requesting access, to make a more reasoned decision about the legitimacy of a user.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

Another advanced cyber security technology known as Extended Detection and Response (XDR) detects and handles cyber threats and breaches before they damage the network. Originally, it grew out of simpler traditional endpoint detection and response.

The XDR solution gives a more complete, holistic picture by cross-referencing data in multiple places and enabling cyber security professionals to work on detecting and analyzing potential threats at an even higher, more automated level. In a nutshell, benefits of XDR include automation of repetitive tasks, strong automated detection, and reducing the number of incidents that need investigation. Organizations can leverage state-of-art XDR solutions to prevent or minimize current and future data breaches across their networks.

Cloud Security by Encryption

Securing the cloud has become vital due to the unprecedented increase in the adoption of cloud worldwide. Today, over 94% of enterprises use cloud services, while 45% of businesses have experienced a cloud-based data breach in the past 12 months. According to Precedence Research, the global cloud computing market size, valued at $380.25 billion in 2021, is expected to hit $1.6 trillion by 2030.

As a result, experts leverage the power of cloud encryption technologies. This allows data to be transferred and stored within the cloud securely. By using advanced mathematical algorithms, security professionals can encrypt data on the cloud making it inaccessible without a specific encryption key. This will make it nearly impossible for adversaries to hijack data from the cloud and will help in minimizing data breaches.

There are many other innovative security technologies such as behavioral analytics, passwordless authentication, and quantum computing that promises to transform cyber security. However, these modern technologies have yet to achieve full adoption.

By implementing these emerging security technologies, businesses can reduce the risk of suffering a major cyber-attack. Next-gen security solutions will help to boost business success by protecting valuable data and customer information. On an individual level, security solutions powered by advanced technologies will protect user’s finances, health information, and other personal data.

Where Quantum Computing Comes In

With the increase in digital transformation, the current threats faced today will likely evolve and grow in numbers and damage capabilities in the near future — forcing a shift from traditional security to a more advanced next-gen security defense infrastructure.

The global quantum computing market is expected to reach $9 billion in revenue by 2030, compared to $260 million in 2020. The annual average growth of this market could be more than 40 percent between 2020 and 2030, with development intensifying after 2025.

Quantum computing promises to revolutionize the way data is stored and processed. Quantum computing is based on the principles of quantum mechanics and has the potential to significantly improve existing computing technology. As the development of quantum computing continues, it will have a major impact on the future of cyber security.

Quantum computers can process data incredibly fast! They can solve in minutes, complex problems that would take our current supercomputers thousands of years. This makes them ideal for performing complex tasks such as breaking encryption codes or cracking passwords. Opposingly, they can also encrypt data more securely than current encryption algorithms.

Furthermore, quantum computing coupled with AI can offer other technological breakthroughs. For example, they can search large databases more efficiently than traditional computers in order to detect malicious activity in networks. These breakthroughs could lead to the development of security solutions that are not only effective but are also future-proof.

Quantum technology is a major asset to the field of cyber security. However, until it becomes widely available, businesses and users still must maintain best security practices with the current security technology.

Remote Working Cyber Security Risks

Remote working has become a new normal even in the post-COVID era. However, the world is still struggling to cope with the security risks associated with remote working. Phishing emails topped an unprecedented 600% during the pandemic, making it a historic increase in digital crime. Because businesses were not equipped to facilitate remote working, it resulted in over 46% of businesses suffering at least one cyber security threat.

Even in the post-COVID era, businesses are still adjusting their security infrastructure to accommodate the remote working facility. A Verizon report revealed that 79% of organizations reported that remote working had negatively impacted their cyber security.

Security threats that come with remote working include:

Bigger attack surfaces

Lack of employee cyber security awareness

Lack of employee supervision by IT team

Poor or no implementation of remote security practices

Employee using unsecured and vulnerable hardware

Vulnerabilities in remote technologies

Misconfigurations in the public cloud

Webcam hacking and Zoombombing

Remote social engineering attacks

These are but some of the common remote working risks faced by businesses today.

Mitigating Cyber Risks of Remote Work

Unfortunately, 95% of security breaches are due to human errors. Providing cyber security education to employees minimizes security risks and equips them with the knowledge to prevent future threats.

There are steps that can be implemented to ensure a safe remote working environment. Some of these steps include:

Implementing essential security practices

Developing strict remote work security policies

Providing employees mandatory cyber security awareness and training

Deploying a risk assessment and disaster recovery plan

Implementing a zero-trust framework

Ensuring proper cloud configurations and access management

Separating the employee’s personal and work devices

In addition to the above listed remote working security practices, it is critical that businesses shift their focus to more proactive security which includes investing in employee awareness and training.

The Growing Role of AI In Cyber Security

As technology continues to advance, the need for effective security strategies becomes more important. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an essential component of many of these strategies. AI provides a unique set of tools and techniques to prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats. It’s often used to help identify vulnerabilities in systems, automate security processes, and improve response times when responding to threats. As a result, AI drastically improves the organization’s security posture with the ability to protect information systems from malicious actors.

AI-driven security solutions are already making a huge impact on the future of cyber security. For instance, AI-based automated systems can provide organizations with greater protection from sophisticated attacks that require quick response times. Furthermore, AI-driven technologies can analyze large amounts of data for patterns and anomalies indicating malicious behavior.

However, the use of AI is not without its drawbacks. AI requires significant amounts of data and computational power and isn’t feasible for all organizations. Additionally, there’s always the risk that AI may make mistakes or be manipulated by attackers, leading to false positives or missed threats.

AI-Driven Cyber Security & Ethical Complications

As AI technology continues to evolve, the world needs to understand the ethical issues of using AI in cyber security. It’s no secret that AI-based decisions have their own set of problems. Inaccuracies, discriminatory outcomes, and embedded or inserted bias must be considered when using AI in cyber security. This has the potential for instigating geopolitical conflicts such as information warfare, privacy concerns, and even trade wars.

There are, no formal set of international AI regulations that currently exist. However, nations are in process to develop standards that will address these ethical and security implications. In the meantime, companies must adhere to basic ethical principles and industry standards when using AI in their decision making process.

Overall, the use of AI in cyber security carries with it both potential benefits and drawbacks. Therefore, understanding the ethics of such use is vital to ensuring the success of this technology. Nevertheless, as the technology continues to develop, it will undoubtedly have an enormous impact on the way we think about cyber security.

Conclusion

Overall, the future of cyber security is constantly changing. The complexity of cyber threats is evolving to more advanced threats such as hybrid threats, Cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS), Polymorphic malware, and Malware automation. This means individuals and organizations should continuously strive to update their security measures to stay ahead of these attacks. Organizations, governments, and individuals must remain vigilant in their efforts to protect against cyber threats.

The future promises advanced security solutions powered by emerging technologies such as AI, Quantum Computing, Cloud encryption, and Context-Aware Security. And though these new technologies offer increased capabilities for detecting threats, they also present their own unique challenges. To ensure our global cyber security future remains safe, it’s essential that organizations continue to invest in strong cyber security measures and keep abreast of the latest threats and trends.

Interested in More…

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Staff Writer

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Why is cyber recruiting for hiring managers so difficult? Well, you’re not alone in asking that question.

When Does Cyber Recruiting Fail?

A cybersecurity role is different from most other IT positions in that technical proficiency is often required for hiring managers to understand an applicant’s value.

Security professionals can’t simply be evaluated on their professional experience; they need to provide tangible evidence that they’re capable in their area of expertise.

For example, while a candidate with a CISSP certification certainly has knowledge at least around best practices, someone with a strong history of ethical hacking has more practical experience with mitigating risks in your environment.

However, all is not lost; even non-technical hiring managers who lack domain expertise can be successful in finding the right candidates with some technical help in place.

Before we dive in, consider hiring a veteran as a first choice, as some already possess a cyber background with experience.

Today’s article takes a look at one of the common challenges employers face while hiring cybersecurity candidates and a couple ways of alleviating that difficulty.

Lack Technical Proficiency?

It’s not uncommon for non-technical hiring managers and executives to have trouble telling one cybersecurity professional from another.

A hiring manager may look at two resumes that both contain the word “security” and assume they’re both equivalent.

If you didn’t know any better you’d see two resumes: one belonging to an expert advising governments on cyber policy, and the other managing federal compliance requirements for large corporations, and think they’re the same.

So if hiring managers and executives don’t understand the industry, how can they determine who and what is required for success.

Maybe it’s time to look towards your recruiter.

Time to Hire a Technical Recruiter

An experienced recruiter (or headhunter) is skilled at finding the right candidate.

Unfortunately, they’re not necessarily skilled in educating hiring managers or other decision makers on what an ideal candidate looks like.

Often recruiters are tasked with presenting candidates despite the fact that their hiring managers may have little to no actual knowledge of cybersecurity!

To combat this problem, some companies have opted for a technical recruiter to screen security candidates, especially when the hiring manager lacks the necessary skills.

The hiring manager focuses on business objectives and the recruiter focuses on vetting technical skills.

Fortunately, this model works well when you or your organization have little experience in recruiting security talent.

If this sounds like an ideal option, start having the conversation with your colleagues about bring aboard a technical recruiter with cyber experience.

Hire a Cyber Recruiting Firm

Vetting is an important part of recruiting cybersecurity talent, so it’s advisable to have a security professional as part of your overall recruitment process.

But, if your company doesn’t have an IT Security Professional or department to do the vetting for you, then it’s time to start looking into that.

Until then, you may want to consider outsourcing your security hiring to a third-party recruitment or security firm.

While there’s bound to be an additional cost in hiring an external firm, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Third-party firms, specializing in cybersecurity recruitment, have access to a much more diverse skillset needed to identify quality candidates.

This means evaluating a candidate’s skills and qualifications based on multiple data points, beyond the resume, such as tech hubs (e.g.,GitHub profiles), gamification technologies (i.e. think Hack-the-Box or TryHackMe), or project-based cyber lab work.

So, if your vetting process is not as effective as it could be, consider hiring an external firm; they’re much more likely to do a better job finding candidates with less resources than you’re currently expending.

Vetting the Vetters

If you’re considering working with an external recruiting firm or bringing aboard a technical recruiter to enhance your cyber hiring practices, here are a few points to keep in mind:

Work with the best.

There’s a lot to be said for utilizing different types of recruiting organizations to accomplish your hiring goal.

But sometimes it pays to stick with one or two firms (or recruiters) that have the most experience in recruiting for your industry, and this is especially true of cybersecurity.

Recruiting is all about relationships, so it pays to favor recruiters who have established relationships in your niche area and can confidently match candidates with jobs that fit their unique skills sets.

Take a peak at their track record.

A good way to distinguish between okay and good firms/recruiters is by…

• Looking at how long they’ve been in business.
• Reviewing their previous client lists, if available.
• Seeing how many candidates they’ve placed successfully.
• Finding out how many clients they’ve retained over the years.
• Asking if they’re affiliated with any professional associations.
• Checking if they’ve received any industry awards and accreditations.
• For recruiting firms, requesting verification of third-party quality control measures like ISO standards or other certifications that may demonstrate commitment to customer satisfaction.

As always, do your due diligence by performing the necessary business background checks.

Learn Cyber Recruiting Concepts

Regardless of how you source cyber candidates, the hiring process can be grueling.

Therefore, it’s important to improve the hiring experience for everyone involved.

A good way to get started is by educating yourself before jumping into recruiting new talent and learning the cyber lingo, full speed ahead if necessary.

Besides, a hiring manager who understands security concepts will eventually have a better idea of how and where cybersecurity candidates fit best into an organization’s existing structure.

By spending time learning about the cyber industry, you’ll naturally help everyone, including recruiters, to ask more relevant questions when hiring candidates, meaning less time wasted on bad hires later down the line!

Check out this article if you’re wondering how hard is cybersecurity?

Conclusion

Today’s article provided some context behind why hiring managers can have difficulty hiring quality cybersecurity candidates.

Recruiters, hiring managers, or executives may not have a security background or could lack any basic technical proficiency whatsoever.

If that’s the situation, companies have the option to either bring in a technical recruiter, or outsource the job to a third-party recruiting or security firm.

In any instance, by adding in a little elbow grease and taking on the optional tasks of learning basic cybersecurity terms and concepts, you put yourself in a much better position to hire and retain qualified security professionals.

You don’t need to become an expert right away, but by keeping a step ahead of your peers, you become a more integral aspect of your organization’s recruitment process.

And, with a bit of security knowledge, you’ll be much more prepared handling the next round of security recruitment.

TLDR

In a hurry…click through these links to take you straight to your answer!

When Does Cyber Recruiting Fail?

Lack Technical Proficiency?

Time to Hire a Technical Recruiter

Hire a Cyber Recruiting Firm

Vetting the Vetters

Learn Cyber Recruiting Concepts

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by Amit Doshi

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Are you thinking about taking the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam?

The CISSP is one of the most coveted security certifications that are well worth having.

Earning a CISSP certification requires careful study and good planning.

In today’s IT world, it’s one of those certifications that will keep your future open with opportunities.

If you have your eye on a career in IT security, earning a CISSP certification should be at the top of your priority list.

However, make sure you know how to earn one before you begin!

What is the CISSP Certification?

The CISSP is an international, vendor-neutral security certification governed by International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2).

You’re likely to find a job faster if you have a CISSP certification because employers recognize it as one of several top industry certifications for information security professionals.

Employers expect someone with a CISSP certification to be capable of analyzing and evaluating complex security problems and suggesting solutions.

If you’d like to consider information systems auditing, then the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification, may be a better choice.

Importance of Taking the CISSP Exam

The CISSP certification is one of the most respected and recognized certifications in the information security industry.

Earning this certification will show employers that you’re dedicated to keeping your knowledge of information security up-to-date and is almost certainly a prerequisite if you ever decide to become a cybersecurity consultant one day.

It will also help you demonstrate that you possess the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to handle various issues that may arise in an organization’s computer systems and networks.

If you’re interested in earning the CISSP certification, here are some things you need to know about getting started.

The Prerequisites

The CISSP certification requires a few different prerequisites.

In order to take the CISSP exam, you’ll need five or more years of cumulative work experience in at least two of eight CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) exam domains.

These include: Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management, Security Assessment and Testing, Security Operations, and Software Development Security.

If you hold a four-year college degree, it can satisfy one year of professional experience.

At least two years of that degree must be from an accredited college or university in one of these fields: Computer Science, Information Systems Security, Computer Systems Networking, Information Technology, or Web Administration/Management.

With that being said, if you don’t currently have enough experience—you can still become certified by opting for Associate of (ISC)² designation.

The Associate of (ISC)² program allows you to gain necessary knowledge and experience you need to take any specific (ISC)² certification exams without the required work experience.

CISSP Exam Requirements

To earn a CISSP certification, you will be required to pass an exam covering ten specific domains in information security that cover topics ranging from law and ethics, access control systems and cryptography.

In order to become a certified professional, you’ll be expected to know best practices and common methods used in information security within your organization.

The exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions.

The time limit is 4 hours per test, and you are required to answer at least 170 questions correctly in order to pass.

The cost of each exam is $650, making it one of the most expensive security certifications available today.

You may retake an exam only once within a 12-month period; if you fail, you will have to wait another full year before you can retake it again.

Passing all ten domains is necessary to earn your certification; but that’s easier said than done, most candidates take between three and six attempts before they finally pass.

Lastly, note that while there is no official age requirement for taking the exam (the official website suggests 18 years old as generally acceptable), many companies prefer their employees to be more experienced.

Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements

The annual CISSP Certification maintenance fee costs about $85.

To maintain the CISSP certification, you must earn 40 continuing professional education (CPE) credits annually, and 120 credits over a three-year period.

And remember, just because you have your certificate doesn’t mean you should stop learning; in fact, it’s more important than ever!

Read up on new security threats and best practices so that when your certification comes up for renewal, there will be no hesitation when filling out your recertification form.

Conclusion

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is widely considered one of most respected information security certifications available, but it’s also notoriously difficult to earn.

Earning a CISSP requires a level of expertise in information security that can take years to acquire, which makes earning and maintaining a certificate even more valuable.

In short, if you have a CISSP certificate, there’s no question that you know your stuff, which will help when dealing with high-level clients and vendors across your field.

TLDR

Taking the CISSP exam…Click below to find out more!

What is the CISSP Certification?

Importance of Taking the CISSP Exam

The Prerequisites

CISSP Exam Requirements

Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements

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by Amit Doshi

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Interested in becoming an incident responder for your security incident response team?

That’s great because all organizations encounter security incidents sooner or later.

Having an incident responder to face these types of emergencies is very crucial for an organization.

Why Become an Incident Responder?

1. High Impact Environment.

Studies show that cyber-attacks cost companies over $6 Trillion per year.

A significant percentage of these losses is a result of delayed action.

By incorporating the services of a security incident response team, organizations are much more likely to mitigate these losses.

2. Pay’s Well

According to data from ZipRecruiter, the average salary of an incident responder was about $99,627 /year.

As you gain more experience, managerial positions can pay up to $142,340.

3. Challenging Experiences

A good incident responder is required to perform complicated tasks under pressure.

At times, you’ll have to restore complex systems or determine root cause within just a few hours.

If you want to grow your problem-solving skills, this is a challenge you will definitely enjoy.

4. High Demand

Incident responders are provided an endless supply of work.

In fact, a 2021 Gartner survey indicated that 66% of CIOs are expected to increase investments associated with cybersecurity in the next year.

The Roles and Responsibilities of an Incident Responder

Before becoming an incident responder, it’s essential to know the roles and responsibilities. Some of these include:

• Developing procedures to handle various security threats
• Identifying vulnerabilities in an organization’s network or system
• Working hands-on with other team members to implement security patches
• Inspecting systems and applications after an attack for anomalies
• Running penetration tests and risk analysis
• Implementing security procedures created to deal with the specific threats
• Providing detailed incident reports regarding all security incidents

Let’s take a closer look at developing the six phases of incident response procedures:

Phase 1: Preparation

This stage involves preparing everyone in the security incident response team and other members of the IT team to take action in case of an emergency cybersecurity breach.

Phase 2: Identification

This phase involves identifying the security incidents that need the attention of the incident response team.

The incident response team needs to set parameters to distinguish between events that need to be given attention and those that don’t.

Phase 3: Containment

After identifying the incident, the next step is to contain the affected systems and devices to prevent further spread.

The goal for containing the incident is to reduce the potential damage if the incident is not well-managed.

Phase 4: Eradication

This phase involves determining the root cause of the incident and eliminating it.

In some cases, it may be necessary to first remove all the affected systems from the company’s network.

Phase 5: Recovery

After fixing the issues with the affected systems, they must be brought back into action and closely monitored for unusual behavior.

Phase 6: Review

After bringing everything back to normal operation, the final phase is documenting all the lessons learned while dealing with the incident.

These lessons will help you develop better strategies when dealing with future incidents.

Sources of Security Incidents

As a member of the security incident response team, you’ve got to be aware of the multiple sources of cyber-attacks to prevent reoccurrences. Here are a few such examples:

• Phishing Emails: A significant percentage of cyber-attacks are triggered through links sent via email.
• External/Removable media: Sometimes, cybercriminals may execute an attack by tricking one of your company members to plug a USB storage drive with malware into any of your computers. These attacks are usually referred to as BadUSB.
• Web: Cyber-attacks can also be executed via your website or web application that you rely on to do work. One of the common examples of web attacks is SQL Injection.
• Physical Security: In some rare cases, attackers can use physical force to compromise and destroy your company computers and networks.
• Inappropriate usage: This happens when one of the members of the organization violates your computer usage policies.
• Loss or theft of equipment: Cybercriminals can launch an attack if they get access to any of the IT devices you use to do work.

Required Skills of an Incident Responder

Let’s take a look at some of the requirements to become an incident responder:

• Networks: An incident responder needs to have in-depth networking knowledge of the Internet, LAN (Local Area Networks), MAN (Metropolitan Area Networks), and WAN (Wide Area Networks). Studying for the CompTIA Network+ exam will provide you a solid foundation for this knowledge area.
• Operating systems: Incident responders need to also understand about operating systems (OS), including Windows, macOS, and Linux.  Investigating incidents requires basic understanding of OS commands.
• Computer hardware: Hardware components such as: routers, firewalls, servers, network cards, as well as other network connected devices each have their own method of operation and vulnerabilities.
• System monitoring tools: Most companies install Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems that are meant to send alerts whenever they detect errors and anomalies to the system. An incident responder should configure these tools to trigger alerts when certain conditions are fulfilled. Additionally, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with forensics software such as: EnCase, Helix, XRY, and FTK.
• Programming code: An incident responder also should have a basic to an intermediate level understanding of programming languages.

Training Requirements of an Incident Responder

Most companies need at least two years of working experience in a related job before hiring you as their incident responder.

Some companies may require a college degree or certifications from recognized institutions before giving you a job.

Having additional certifications from online learning platforms or recognized institutions will also increase the chances of landing a job.

Some of the certifications you may consider getting include:

• GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)
• GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
• GIAC Certified Forensics Analyst (GCFA)
• Certified Computer Examiner (CCE)
• Certified Computer Forensics Examiner (CCFE)
• Certified Penetration Tester (CPENT)
• Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Conclusion

The scope of an incident responder’s role may vary based on the size of the organization.

While their primary function is to prevent system intrusion; if a cyber-attack does occur, they must also bring systems back to resiliency and also preventing future reoccurrences.

If you want to pursue a security-related career, being part of security incident response is one of the best options to choose.

Start with any of the above certifications to move your career in the right direction.

You can always add more certifications as you continue with your cybersecurity career.

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by Amit Doshi

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Why Should you Enroll in a Cybersecurity Course in 2022? Cybersecurity degrees are in demand more than ever.

Today we live in a modern world that is both digitally advanced and evolving at a rapid pace.

To sustain, grow and remain operational in this digital era, individuals, business organizations, government institutions and even military entities require cybersecurity professionals to tackle rising cybercrimes and security threats.

Organizations around the world are willing to pay top dollar to cybersecurity experts who can protect their organizational assets and business infrastructures.

However, is a cybersecurity career right for you? Why should you enroll in a cybersecurity course?

Continue reading as we go through the things you need to know about cybersecurity courses.

Why is it Important to Enroll in a Cybersecurity Course

Cyber Security education involves learning about digital security of computers, operating systems, data, networks, IoT devices, digital infrastructures and so on.

In other words, cybersecurity education enables you to identify, contain, and mitigate various cybersecurity threats while preventing potential security breaches and privacy violations.

What will you study during a Cybersecurity Degree?

Cybersecurity is a field of study or a discipline that covers various aspects of digital security, IT and technology.

Cybersecurity degrees usually include education on diverse aspects of security such as digital forensics, security policies, network security, data security and so on.

However, according to the NSA’s 2014 Academic Criteria, IT Security degrees should include classes on:

• IT Systems Components
• Device Security
• Cyber Threats
• System Administration
• Intro to Cryptography
• Cyber Defense
• Basic Scripting or Introductory Programming
• Fundamental Security Design Principles
• Information Assurance Fundamentals
• Basic Data Analysis
• Networking Concepts
• Policy, Legal, Ethics, and Compliance

Apart from the above mentioned, other advanced modules of cybersecurity include specialization in much more technical areas.

These include Incident Response, Cryptography, Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, Cloud Security, Forensic Accounting and so on.

Want more information to decide if a cybersecurity degree is worth it?

What’s the duration of Cybersecurity Degrees?

If you make the decision to enroll in a cybersecurity program, be prepared to stay the course. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity can take 3 to 4 years, while a master’s degree in cybersecurity can take anywhere from 1-2 years to complete.

Should you decide to advance, a PhD in a cybersecurity program can last about 3-5 years.

Admission Requirements for Enrolling in Cybersecurity courses?

Admission requirements for cybersecurity courses can vary from one university to another.

As such, many online educational institutions offer various types of IT and cybersecurity courses and degrees.

It is always a good practice to visit their official websites to check the specific admission requirements for the course or degree you are interested in.

With that out of the way, admission requirements for bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity may include:

• Academic transcript of grades or minimum GPA of 3.0
• Past work experience or academic experience
• Required test scores

Admission requirements for masters in cybersecurity includes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Cyber Security, or a related field
• Minimum GPA (established by each university individually)
• Motivation letter

The best Cybersecurity jobs and salaries

Cybersecurity is an ever-growing industry with a huge demand for technical talent.

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that there will be a 28% job increase in the IT and cybersecurity field by 2026.

In addition to increasing industry demand for cybersecurity experts, the salaries for cybersecurity jobs are also high.

According to Payscale, average annual salaries for some common IT Security jobs are:

• Information Security Officer – $91,000
• Security Assessor – $90,000 USD
• Security Administrator – $65,000 USD
• Cryptographer – $100,000 USD
• Security Engineer – $88,000 USD
• Penetration Tester – $81,000 USD
• Forensics Expert – $71,000 USD

4 reasons Why you should Enroll in a Cybersecurity Course for 2022

1. Plenty of Career Pathways

Cybersecurity is a dynamic and constantly evolving field that offers you a multitude of career paths.

Network security and cloud computing to ethical hacking and digital forensics, you can start a career in any discipline that suits your evolving interests.

2. Cybersecurity is future-proof

Today, cybersecurity has become a necessity for both individuals and business organizations, and this fact is not going to change anytime soon.

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, increase in cybercrimes and digital threats is inevitable.

As far as the cybersecurity job market is concerned, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, US-based jobs in information security are expected to grow 33 percent from 2020 to 2030.

3. The world needs Cybersecurity professionals

Because of the global cybersecurity talent shortage, demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is growing faster than the rate at which people are gaining the necessary skills.

And this situation is only expected to get worse.

According to research firm Frost & Sullivan, the shortage of skilled IT professionals will likely widen by an additional 1.8 million jobs by 2022.

4. It Looks Great on Your Resume!

You may not be ready to graduate just yet but listing your cybersecurity classes on your resume is a great way to show initiative!

Conclusion

Studying cybersecurity ultimately means you’ll be stepping into an industry that already has a huge demand for your skills and can offer you a host of career growth opportunities.

Enrolling in a Cybersecurity professional course or a degree can equip you with the required skills and knowledge you will need to secure a lucrative career and protect yourself and others from rising digital security threats.

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by Amit Doshi

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What is the future of the cybersecurity job market in 2023? The cyber security industry is and will continue to remain the most dynamic and critical industry in the world today. Continue to read as we talk about the latest market and hiring outlook of the 2023 cyber security job market.

Table of Contents

The future of the cybersecurity job market in 2023…Click below to find out more!

Are Cybersecurity Jobs in Demand?

Are There Many Jobs in Cyber Security?

How Many Cyber Security Professionals Are There?

The Cybersecurity Job Market in 2023

Hiring Challenges in the Cybersecurity Job Market

Are Cybersecurity Jobs in Demand?

If anyone has told you that the demand for cyber security jobs has peaked or is decreasing, they’re wrong!

There’s very little chance the need for cyber security professionals will go away anytime soon. So yes, cyber security jobs are still very much in demand!

To give you a better idea of how much demand there is, ISACA conducted a survey from a pool of 2,031 respondents.

Within the survey, the demand for cyber security personnel, regardless of position had only increased over the past five years.

This means it didn’t matter if you were a cyber analyst, IAM engineer, security manager, or even CISO, the need for your skills is only growing.

What’s even better?

They found that 82% of respondents expected to see an increase in the demand for technical cyber security positions for 2023!

In fact, a report by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics even mentioned that the position of Information Security Analysts alone is expected to grow 35% by 2031.

That means the number of analyst jobs is expected to expand from 163,000 to 220,000!

Are There Many Jobs in Cyber Security?

Of course! There’s no shortage of jobs in this industry. Now, you might have heard of something known as the hidden jobs market.

This is referring to number of jobs that aren’t publicly advertised on jobs boards. I’ve read that these “hidden jobs” can reach as high as 70% – 80%.

These percentages, which are unconfirmed, are quite staggering and often in dispute. The reality is that no one really know for sure how many jobs aren’t being advertised.

Unfortunately, this does highlight that many jobs aren’t made easily available to public job boards leaving it up to job seekers to hunt for them.

What we can say for sure, as of the date of this article, is that there are over 750,000 cyber security job openings are currently available.

That number represents an amazing 68% of the total employed cyber workforce!

How Many Cyber Security Professionals Are There?

With about 1.1 million employed cyber security professionals in the United States, the list below indicates the top 9 cyber security job titles (in no particular order):

• Cyber Security Analyst
• Cyber Security Consultant
• Cyber Security Manager
• Network Engineer
• Penetration & Vulnerability Tester
• Senior Software Developer
• Software Developer
• IT Director
• Systems Engineer

Click here to read about the best job in cyber security!

The Cybersecurity Job Market in 2023

According to Grand View Research, the cyber security market reached a value of $179.96 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow to $372.04 billion by 2028. Many businesses today understand the importance of cyber security.  As cybercrimes continue to increase, they are investing heavily to improve and secure their digital infrastructures.

Hence, driving the market growth. Other factors that drive the growth of the global cyber security market include:

• Growth of ransomware, data breaches, and cybercrimes
• Discovery of new security threats and attack vectors
• Increased cyber security investment
• Increasing demand for cyber security professionals
• Demand for data protection and compliance regulations
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
• Increasing sophistication in cyber threats

Cybercrimes increased over 600% in 2021, while the average cost of a single data breach was a record breaking $4.24 Million. As we enter 2023, the global cyber security market landscape will get even more hostile and unstable.  Businesses will struggle to keep up with the continuously shifting cyber security and digital transformation requirements.

Hiring Challenges in the Cybersecurity Job Market

The global cyber security job market is an exponentially growing market with a huge demand for security professionals.

As companies work to modernize, they are also hiring a greater number of cyber security experts to design, engineer, and maintain their cyber security solutions and digital infrastructures.

However, the rising demand for cyber security professionals far outstrips supply which a good reason to consider a career in cybersecurity.

A 2019 study by Burning Glass revealed that the number of cyber security job postings has grown by 94% in just six years, and cyber security jobs now account for 13% of all information technology jobs.

However, there are multiple challenges that today’s modern businesses are facing when it comes to hiring cyber security professionals. Let’s talk about a few.

Cybersecurity Talent Drought

The cyber security skills shortage is a reality, and the talent gap is becoming wider every year. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, the number of unfilled cyber security jobs grew by 350 percent, from one million positions in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2021.

63% of businesses say they currently have unfilled cyber security positions on their team.

Organizations looking to hire cyber security professionals need to offer attractive benefits coupled with learning and development opportunities. Effectively, these encourage younger generations to choose cyber security as a career path, reducing the global cyber security talent shortage.

Employee Burnout

Employee stress and burnout are one of the major reasons why employees leave their jobs. According to a Forrester survey, 2021 data shows that 51% of cyber security professionals experienced extreme stress or burnout, with 65% saying they had considered leaving their job because of job stress.

Due to the cyber security talent gap, employees may leave for a better opportunity due to heavy workloads and poor employee satisfaction.  Therefore, in addition to offering a competitive salary, the right set of benefits will fight burnout and help retain your employees.

The Gender Pay Gap

According to Infosecurity Magazine, women in the cyber security industry are paid significantly less than men—an average of 21% less globally. As a business organization, consider hiring women for your security team to help transform today’s male-dominated cyber security job market.

Additionally, providing equal pay for women in cyber security and encouraging parity will ultimately help your organization set diversity standards. This benefits the industry by bringing more diverse ideas to the table regarding preventing attacks and creating secure environments.

Education Requirements for Cyber Security

As the need for more talented professionals begins to expand, companies are now forced to rethink the caliber of employees that are hired within the organization.

This means changing the education requirements for cyber security hires. Whereas before it was considered standard practice to hire individuals with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or even Associate’s degree), companies are now switching to equivalency models where a formal education can be substituted with experience.

While this is a movement in the right direction, it doesn’t completely address the talent shortage. Companies are taking it a step further by trying to eliminate college from the hiring process altogether.

By removing the college requirement, employers are now able to expand the talent pool allowing candidates to succeed in cyber security even without a degree!

Final Thoughts

In today’s digital world, cyber security has become a critical component of every organization’s sustainability, security and growth strategy. As companies continue to evolve, the demand for cyber security talent will only continue to grow in 2023 and beyond.

However, there are many challenges that need to be addressed in order to tackle the ever-widening talent gap in the global cyber security job market.

Interested in More…

The Future of Cyber Security: Overview of New Technologies

Is Cyber Security Right for Me?

Top 16 Ways to Make Money in Cyber Security!

How to Get into Cybersecurity with No Experience?

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by Amit Doshi

If you enjoyed reading today’s article please subscribe here.