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Top Reasons to Enrol in a Cyber Security Course
If there’s one ‘weak link’ in any cyber security system, it’s the operatives. Hackers most often rely on human error to gain entry to any network, whether it’s a home computer system that has an unprotected Wi-Fi network, or a multi-national company with thousands of users and a massive online presence.
To combat the problems of cyber security breaches, businesses of all sizes are starting to see the relevance of having a cyber security specialist as part of their IT department.
According to the annual Verizon Data Breach Investigations report, about 58% of cyber security incidents were caused by employees, either due to failure in handling data or approving malicious data. InfoSec specialists are the people who are paid to predict these potential problem areas, but anyone who works in IT could improve their attractiveness to employers by improving their knowledge. So here are our top five reasons to enrol on to a cyber security course:
- Expand your skills set
An IT based degree is desirable, but a lot of the course content is likely to have been surpassed, thanks to the rapid acceleration of IT development. To keep up, you need to expand your skills set to show your awareness of new concepts, from mobile security through to risk analysis and threat management. You’ll also need to stay up to date with legislative changes, including the soon-to-be-amended Data Protection Act. Taking cyber security courses keeps your skills set current, relevant, and desirable to employers.
- Stay current with networking developments
IT is an organic subject that’s constantly evolving. That means the threats are evolving too, so it’s important to stay up to date on current best practice and protocols, especially if you work on large open networks. Now that many systems are moving onto the Cloud, the vulnerability of networks increases markedly, and it’s up to computer security experts to close those gaps in the net before the hackers take advantage. To do this, you need to be up to date on everything from network analysis to Cloud security. Fortunately, there are many information security short courses that can get you up to speed quickly
- Increase your salary
The better your qualifications, the higher the salary you can command. In fact, it has a direct bearing on how much you can ask. With a rapidly diminishing pool of skilled cyber security experts to call on, demand is definitely outstripping supply, so the more qualifications you have, the greater your bargaining position. Cyber security experts can often name their price, but you need to demonstrate not only that your qualifications are current, recognised, and relevant, but you have the practical experience to apply that knowledge into real-life situations.
- Cyber security qualifications are internationally recognised
An increasingly transient workforce that moves beyond international borders needs qualifications that are universally recognised. So when you’re choosing your InfoSec qualifications, look for ones that have international recognition.
- Breaking out of the IT rut
IT security can take you anywhere, from working in the aerospace industry to finance, banking, and insurance. Every company that has an online presence has need of an IT security expert, so you’ll always be value by employers if you can demonstrate cyber security skills that could help to protect their business. Not only does a cyber security qualification bring a whole new dimension to your career, but it could also make you much more desirable as a candidate for almost any IT-based position.