Scope of Cyber Security in 2020 | Future of Cyber Security

Cyber Security is an essential component of any company or enterprise across the world, hence the scope of Cyber Security is immense. Cyber Security is the technology, process, and practice, designed to protect devices, programs, and data from damages, attacks, and other unauthorized access. Cyber Security is also known as Information Technology Security, focuses on protecting computers, applications, systems and networks from unauthorized access, change, or destruction. The former components are the basic components of any company hence you can imagine what would the scope of cybersecurity be like.

Many authorized institutions, like the military, government agencies, financial institutions, Banking Sector, etc. have confidential information that is stored on computers and transmitted to networks. With growing cyber-attacks, it has become necessary to protect this sensitive data and personal information. Thousands and millions of Cyber Security professionals will be required to do so.

Why is Cyber Security needed in today’s world?

Cybercrime is one of the rapidly increasing crimes hitting the world today. It is largely driven due to the increased exposure of information on the internet via cloud services. Networks and devices managing the infrastructure can be disrupted on a wide scale. Here stopping identity theft isn’t the only goal, but protecting data integrity is. As cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, we need to understand their change in target, how are that affecting organizations, and their methods used in targeting.

Social Engineering – Social Engineering is the most common and easiest cyberattack. Phishing and ransomware is the easiest form of entry into the networks. Third and fourth-party vendors who process your data could have poor cybersecurity practices is a common type of vendor attack. Vendor risk management and third-party management is very important.

Data Breaching – Data breaching includes various branches. Intentional information disclosure includes letting out financial information like bank account details, credit card numbers, personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), intellectual property, trade secrets, and other information. Unintentional information disclosure like cloud and/or data leak, data spills, and information leakage.

The threat to the Government – The government, army, navy, military, financials, and medical organizations collect, process, and store huge amounts of data on computers and other devices.

Corporates and Organizations – Sensitive information like personal information, financial data, and intellectual property is stored on various networks and devices, and exposure to such information could have negative consequences.

For example,

Facebook – 540 million user records were exposed to Amazon’s Cloud Computing Service

UK National Health Service (NHS) – They had a ransomware attack which resulted in the cancellation of operations and resulted in clean-up costs

Yahoo – The breach affected each and every of its 3 billion accounts

Thus due to an increase in volume and sophistication of cyberattacks, organizations, and companies, especially those involved in safeguarding data related to the nation, financials, health, need to take measures to protect this confidential information.

Begin with Cyber-Security

• Keeping Informed – These days it is difficult for the department to keep track and mitigate every security issue; thus, every department must be informed about the consequences and best practices to avoid repercussions. Professionals advised avoiding clicking on suspicious links, thus maintaining secure passwords. 

• Moving beyond Antivirus – Installing antiviruses is an essential component of the IT Security but isn’t enough by itself to protect from modern threats. Technical teams require various solutions and tools which could be expensive. But these resources will help organizations from cyber-attacks.

• Getting Insured – Cybersecurity marketing insurance has been booming for a few years, and now it is an integral part of all companies. Cybersecurity insurance not only protects companies from financial risks but also when data breaches arise. During a data breach, the amount of damage is enormous; thus, companies might require specific experts and specialists, which could prevent you from loss.

• Keeping an eye on the Data Flow – Companies should take a look at the importance of cyber-security, and keep an eye on storage and process of data. They could eliminate the weak spots in the process that could be exposing data, cause a breach, and make life difficult for hackers.

• Backup and Recovery – Every company should ensure to have a backup for all their data in times of emergencies.

Domains of Cyber Security

Let us have a look at various domains in Cyber Security in which you can make your career.

Domain 1: Security Management

Security management is associated with people and processes. It includes:

• Risk assessment to identify risks to the company and draw methods to combat these risks
• Take a look at processes for security functions to align with businesses or operations processes
• Bring management procedures and processes in place
• User security awareness training

Domain 2: Identity and Access Management

Identity and Access Management is also known as IAM. This domain allows processes, systems, and procedures to assign characters, handle authentication, and manage access control. Identity is assigning each user and system their unique name. Authentication is to establish a method for users to prove their identity. Access management is assigning minimum rights to every individual that is necessary for them to carry their duties. 

Domain 3: Security Engineering

Security Engineering comprises of Network Security and Computer Operations Security. It includes:

• Router and Switch Security
• Firewalls
• Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS)
• Host-based Security Tools
• Email Filtering
• Vulnerability Scanning

Domain 4: Business Continuity

Business Continuity focuses on restoring business operations after catastrophic events like a natural disaster. It includes disaster recovery and business continuity plans and procedures, along with periodically reviewing them. You can understand the functions of the organization. Once identified, these critical functions can place systems to ensure they are operable as soon as possible with as little loss of data as possible. 

Domain 5: Compliance

Compliance ensures that organizations have appropriate security controls in place. But having these controls in place is not enough, it is also necessary to meet with legislation and regulations applicable to the organization. This domain includes understanding and implementing those regulations. Audits performed internally as well as third party domains fall under compliance. Compliance plays a vital role in driving security management.

Domain 6: Cryptography

Cryptography protects the confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and non-repudiation of the information. It goes hand in hand with Security Management and Compliance.

Domain 7: Physical Security

Physical Security refers to the control applied to physical hardware within our purview. Some questions asked here could be:

• Is there appropriate fencing at entry and exit points?
• Are there security guards at every entrance?
• Is the data center secured enough to allow physical access to serves to authorized individuals
• Is the HVAC System in place?

Domain 8: Software Development Security

Software Development handles issues like:

• Provide secure coding training for developers
• Performing code analysis on the new code
• Overseeing development process and procedure
• Understand updated application feature requirements and their effect on Security of the application

Domain 9: Security Operations

In this domain, we can monitor the tools discussed in the Security Engineering domain. Security Operations Center (SOC) manage the Security Operations. They have an understanding of most of the other areas as well. Some duties include:

• Incident Response
• Threat Hunting
• Threat Intel
• Forensics

Scope of Cyber Security

Shortage of Cybersecurity Professionals

Cybersecurity professionals across the world are facing the risk of not being prepared to overcome the obstacles in cybersecurity. The Worldwide Information Security Workforce Study (GISWS) shows that 19641 Cybersecurity experts worldwide are insufficient laborers to address difficulties. 1.8 million cybersecurity professionals are required in India by 2022. Thus the current shortage of cybersecurity professionals will create jobs in the country shortly.

Partially Skilled Professionals

The current research shows that many organizations need to be verified by having highly skilled staff and a responsive workforce. In 2019, Data Security professionals expressed having hardly any expertise to address the dangers faced. Hence professionals must take up certifications and obtain skills that will make them competent enough to face any obstacle which might come their way.

Global Demand

There is a worldwide demand for Operations and Security Management Professionals. Incident and Threat Management positions are most popular in the LATAM (63%) and the Middle East and Africa (65%) than some other positions. Despite endeavors by directors to hire at various positions, the current pattern remains unchanged. Thus expanding the number of experts will change the face of cybersecurity globally.

High Pay

Job Seekers and Professionals who are looking to move up in their career growth, cybersecurity is one of the best options. It will provide top pay, job security in any place across the globe

Unlimited Growth

Initially, security groups were the “handymen” types, but now they rise to fame in crime scene investigations, episode reaction, and application security. With the consistent growth in the cybersecurity domain, there is development potential in both your professional and learning curve. For a cybersecurity professional, learning never stops. 

Cybersecurity Jobs in the Future

Cybersecurity Professionals will get a chance to work with groups on advancements and frameworks. Cybersecurity will be applicable form robots to autos to sites, thus serving a vast number of clients. Thus making it a promising career prospect. Because of the range of abilities available to manage current security challenges, these experts will always be high in demand.

Cyber Security Certifications List for Beginners

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification is the topmost ethical hacking certification to provide IT Security Professionals build a foundation of ethical hacking. A Certified Hacker will help you teach you to inspect network infrastructure with the owner’s consent to locate vulnerabilities in the network and system.

CCNA Cyber Ops/Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate

The new Cisco Certified Cyber-Ops Associate Certification will prepare the candidate for associate-level job roles in the security operation center (SOCs). This certification consists of topics like foundational skills, processes, and knowledge required to prevent, detect, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity incidents.

OSCP with PWK (Penetration Testing with Kali Linux)

This is the starting point for candidates planning to appear for Offensive Security or Penetration Testing. This ethical hacking course introduces penetration testing tools and techniques with the help of hands-on experience

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is known to provide core knowledge about cybersecurity roles. It also helps candidates by providing them with intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs. CompTIA Security+ enhances hands-on skills on troubleshooting, which ensures that candidates have problem-solving skills.

EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA): Penetration Testing

The ECSA Certification is a continuation of the CEH Certification. The ECSA Certification helps the candidates to enhance their knowledge and skills using the tools and techniques learned in Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification.

Cybersecurity Hiring Companies

• Cisco
• Google
• Facebook
• Microsoft
• Fortinet
• IBM
• Sophos
• Palo Alto Networks
• Symantec
• Splunk
• McAfee
• Trend Micro
• Imperva
• Checkpoint Technologies
• Dell Technologies
• CyberArk Software
• FireEye

Cybersecurity Job Profiles

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Forensic Computer Analyst
• Information Security Analyst
• Penetration Tester
• Security Architect
• IT Security Engineer
• Security Systems Administrator
• IT Security Consultant

Cyber Security Salary Details

Like we discussed above the Scope of Cyber Security is immense. All you need to figure out is which domain you are interested in and which company you would like to work at.

If you have any more information you would like to share with us related to the Scope of Cyber Security, do let us know in the comments section below.