Government attempts to control the spread of COVID-19 forced businesses to expand their digital networks, which had the unintended consequence of undermining their cyber defenses. With the prevalence of remote work, organizations are scrambling to harden their defenses and competing fiercely for top cybersecurity talent.
However, these changes to the work landscape make earning an advanced degree in cybersecurity management an ideal way to future-proof your career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employers will add 53,200 information security positions annually through 2032 for a 32% job growth rate, about four times the rate of all other professions.
The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) online Master of Science Cybersecurity Management program prepares graduates for high-demand, lucrative executive and senior roles through an online curriculum that explores:
- Information security threat analysis, vulnerabilities and controls, risk management policy development and data loss prevention solutions
- Cybersecurity management strategies and tactics for protecting against unauthorized access and intrusion, recovering from attacks and mitigating insider threats
- Compliance with regulatory requirements and statutes pertaining to privacy, security and industry standards
- Preservation of business continuity to ensure operational resilience during and after an attack
TechTarget summarizes the demand for professionals with those skills as “on the upswing. Not only is the field interesting and fulfilling, it offers numerous opportunities for career growth, high rewards and the chance to make a real difference to organizations and industry.”
What Role Does Network Security Play in Defense Against Cyberthreats?
Companies can realize cost reductions and gain efficiencies by providing a remote workforce and business partners access to their computer networks. Benefits include reduced overhead expenses, a broader talent pool, lower turnover and training costs, and greater productivity.
Expanding their networks, however, can create a security nightmare if they are not proactive in protecting that distributed computing infrastructure. In a separate article, TechTarget identifies nine core elements and tools used to develop effective network security. Its list includes:
- Controlling access by implementing strong authentication processes, role-based permissions, firewalls, VPNs and regular monitoring
- Application security that includes authentication, encryption, regular vulnerability assessments and secure coding protocols
- Behavioral analytics that enable security teams to spot anomalous network usage, which may indicate insider threats or outside attacks
- Mobile device usage policies that require encryption, VPNs, firewall access authorizations and regular operating system upgrades
While corporations worldwide spend hundreds of billions of dollars annually to defend their expanding digital footprint, they are losing the cyberwar. For example, a Ponemon Institute study referenced in CPO Magazine found that 71% of IT security experts assessed their pre-pandemic detection and response capabilities as effective. That number has plummeted to 44% since pandemic mandates ended.
Writing for Embroker, Mike McLean states that “small to medium sized businesses” are the targets of choice for hackers. Nearly 7 out of 10 reported data breaches, malware or phishing attacks in the previous year. Also, as cybercriminals become more sophisticated and selective, the cost of network and data breaches will grow. “Cybercrime will cost companies worldwide an estimated $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, up from $3 trillion in 2015,” according to McLean, who cites another survey that calls the theft “the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history.”
What Network Security Measures Prevent Insider Threats?
While organized cybercrime garners the headlines, the security community is looking within the firewalls for potentially more damaging adversaries: insiders. Whether by accident or out of malice, employees and business partners are emerging as a more significant threat than outside hackers. A Cybersecurity Insiders survey found:
- Ninety percent of respondents said an inside attack is equally or more difficult to detect than an external threat.
- Sixteen percent are confident of their organization’s ability to detect, prevent or mitigate an insider attack.
- Seventy-five percent are concerned that misuse of emerging technologies will amplify insider attack capabilities.
- Fifty-four percent report their network defenses were not very effective against insider threats.
An effective network security defense against insider threats should include the following:
- Continuous risk assessments
- Staff training programs
- Investment in cutting-edge detection and response solutions
- Development of a cohesive governance structure that incorporates various security tools and practices
According to Fortinet, “Policies need to be clearly documented, and all employees must be familiar with the security procedures they need to follow, their data privileges, and their intellectual property rights. This final step of the process is crucial to complying with increasingly stringent data privacy regulations.” In an advanced degree program, like the online MS Cybersecurity Management from UIS, cybersecurity professionals are equipped to navigate the changing network security landscape.
Learn more about the University of Illinois Springfield’s online Master of Science Cybersecurity Management program.
