The threat level for computer networks is high. That’s why Cyber Security professionals are in high demand.

What is Cyber Security?

You could say that modern cyber security was born on December 31, 1999.

Remember the Y2K bug? Before New Year’s Eve 1999, there was a fear that a software glitch would cause programs and networks everywhere to crash when the year changed to 2000. The worst-case scenarios included ATM and banking systems going down, air traffic control systems being disabled, and the flow of goods and services being disrupted.

Of course, in this case, the worst case didn’t come true.

This was certainly not the first time that cyber security was an issue. But the widespread media attention and publicity brought the issue of the vulnerability of computer networks to the attention of many people who had never thought about the issue before. People began to worry: What if computer networks go down? What will happen?

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Cyber Security Threats

When contemplating the issue of cyber security, or network security as it could also be called, there is one inherent problem. Computer networks and tech infrastructure are never 100% secure. The power of the Internet and other networks is their open structure. They can be accessed at many points, built and expanded upon, and used by many people. But this also makes them vulnerable.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were another unfortunate milestone in the history of cyber security. People began contemplating what an individual or a group trying to harm to the United States economy might go after. One of the obvious answers was: the computer networks that drive so much of the country’s economy.

On top of large-scale events such as the Y2K bug and 9/11, there are, of course, the everyday security concerns that almost anyone with a PC faces. Worms, viruses, and other agents that attack personal computers have been a threat since the beginning of network computing and have only become more so as the size and scope of computer networks has grown.

The growing field of cyber security is about managing the risk inherent in vulnerable computer systems.

Training and Education

In the beginning of the computer industry, many people specializing in cyber security or network security were self-taught. But now that these issues have come to the attention of a wider public ? including business and government ? academic degree and training programs in cyber security and network security are available from many colleges, universities, and other academic institutions.

Degree and training programs in cyber security vary widely in their length and scope. Some certificate programs and associate’s degree programs might last a matter of months or up to two years. Whereas, bachelor’s degree programs or master’s degree programs can last up to four years. In the case of a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college, a focus in cyber security or network security might be combined or come under the umbrella of another degree program such as a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information science.

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In almost any academic program in cyber security, basic classes would cover topics such as how to build and maintain a network, training in Linux and Windows networks, basic computer programming, network protocols, network intrusion detection, and local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Courses in criminal justice, ethics, political science, history, and business are also sometimes included in network security and cyber security curricula.

Certifications

Specific certifications in the Internet security and cyber security fields abound. Some are brand specific and qualify the individual to work on hardware or software made by a particular company. Others, known as ?vendor neutral? certifications, show a general proficiency in the field.

One of the best known certification groups is the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, (ISC²). This group sponsors several certifications that are well respected in the industry including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP). Other organizations offering certification include the SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security (SANS) organization and CompTIA. While no certification is required for employment in any job, certification can be a good indicator for an employer of a candidate’s experience and focus in the field. Many academic programs incorporate certification preparation into their curricula.

Careers

Virtually every company of any size that operates a computer network (such as for company e-mail or a company intranet) has a designated network or cyber security expert. Titles may vary, but look for names like network security specialist, network administrator, information security technician, and so on. At larger companies, network or cyber security experts might work on a project by project basis and take a specific role in the development of new products, services, and systems.

The role of the cyber security expert can take many forms, but it essentially boils down to protecting sensitive data and managing access to resources and networks. This might include protecting customer data, such as credit card numbers, or protecting employee data, such as health care records. It also might include preventing intrusions and criminal activity over the company’s networks.

While cyber security has played a large role in the banking industry and other large corporate transactional businesses for some time, even small companies are facing cyber security issues today. With the advent of e-commerce, network security has taken on an even larger role as financial transactions and personal information such as credit card numbers are passed along computer networks with even greater frequency. Cyber security is also an important function inside companies, as employee data must be kept private and confidential according to the law.

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As mentioned above, the September 11 attacks gave a new urgency to the problem of cyber security, and the federal government has stepped up its efforts at directing cyber security research and monitoring. In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security created its own cyber security division, US CERT (United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team). This agency is responsible for coordinating the government response to cyber attacks and also serves as a national clearinghouse of cyber security information. The Department of Homeland Security is now one of the government’s largest employers, and many career opportunities have opened up in cyber security and related fields as a result.

One of the more exciting segments of the cyber security field is cyber forensics and investigation. Experts in this field investigate cyber crime and attacks after they happen and attempt to track down the perpetrators. Local law enforcement agencies and Federal agencies such as the FBI all employ cyber security professionals in this capacity.

Sometimes, as in many tech businesses, cyber security professionals might work as independent contractors, hired by companies when they are designing a new system or have had some kind of cyber crime committed against them. This system, while giving flexibility, also requires business savvy on the part of the employee to manage clients and continually look for work.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that job growth for system administrators (a loose term including cyber security experts) will see some of the fastest growth among all professions, growing at a rate of approximately 25% until 2014.

Ongoing Growth

The awareness of the cyber security threat continues to grow and the importance of cyber security to corporations, government, and private individuals continues to increase. Privacy is an important concern in American life and the protection of data has become a key issue. With concerns over identity theft and other similar cyber crimes, public focus remains intense on the cyber security field.

The ongoing struggle against terrorism and the quest for emergency preparedness and disaster preparedness puts a continued urgency into the cyber security field as well. Corporations are also facing new scrutiny in how they handle their data in the wake of corporate scandals. In short, the cyber security field is growing, and those with the proper training and experience will find plenty of opportunities.

Job titles in the information technology (IT) world can be confusing, even misleading. We sort through and explain a few of the common ones here.

1. CTO/CIO

At the very top of a company’s technology chain of command is most likely a chief technology officer (CTO) or a chief information officer (CIO). This high-level executive is responsible for long-range technology planning and keeping abreast of new developments in technology that can affect a company’s productivity or competitiveness in its industry.

To become a CTO or CIO, earning a bachelor’s degree in an area like information technology or computer science is recommended, coupled with a master’s in business administration (MBA).

2. Managers of Information Systems/Managers of Computer Systems
Further down the chain of management are managers of information systems or managers of computers systems.

You’ve probably heard the term “MIS,” referring to management information systems. This is a blanket term describing all the computers in a company’s technological infrastructure, how they are connected, and how they run. This includes everything from the computers on individual workers’ desks to large powerful computers called servers that may not even be located on the company’s premises.

The higher-level employees who manage these systems are valuable employees and usually considered managers. A bachelor’s degree in technology is usually required for management positions like this, and many employers prefer applicants with an MBA.

3. Systems Analysts/Systems Architects/Systems Designers

The people who design and build these computer systems are called systems analysts or sometimes systems architects or systems designers. A bachelor’s degree in programming and software engineering is not uncommon.

4. Project Managers

Project managers are employees responsible for implementing and carrying out technology-related projects at a company. When a project is approved, these employees are in charge of the budgets and schedule and making sure the project gets done. Project managers generally need a bachelor’s degree in technology, although a more general business-related degree is also common.

5. Systems Administrators/Network Administrators

All computers in a company are connected by a network. There is a special classification of employee called a system administrator or network administrator who oversees a company’s internal and external network of computers.

System or network administrators are particularly concerned with network security, ensuring that a company’s sensitive data is not accessible to outside computers or users. In fact, cyber-security has grown into its own field of expertise with growing fears over protecting valuable data from intrusions or exposure. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in information technology and systems is recommended.

6. Database Administrators

Database administrators are a particular kind of system administrator responsible for databases, the computer systems, and software that handle large amounts of data for storage and retrieval. Database technology training programs provide a great entry point into an IT career.

7. Computer Programmers/Software Engineers

Computer programmers or software engineers, as they are sometimes called, create the software that drives the hardware that makes up many of the larger systems we are talking about. Some companies might differentiate between a programmer, who actually writes the computer code, and a software engineer, who solves more abstract problems related to computer software design. However, often the two terms are used interchangeably.

Many companies develop their own software specific to their company or their industry, for example: finance, accounting, e-commerce, or scientific research. Computer programmers do the work of customizing a company’s software for its industry or, if the company is in the software business, of developing commercial software that consumers or other companies may want to use.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly eight out of 10 computer programmers held an associate’s degree or higher in an area like computer science in 2006; and nearly half held a bachelor’s degree.

8. Other IT titles

A few other professions fall under the IT umbrella. One of them is the quality assurance analyst, sometimes called simply QA. These are the people who test a piece of software or hardware in a repetitive fashion to expose any design flaws.

A customer service representative, sometimes known as a computer support specialist, is another common occupation in the IT world. These people provide technical advice to consumers and users of technical products, most often over the phone or via e-mail. An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in technology support is typically required.

As you may have guessed, many of the IT professions and specialties may overlap.

For example, a database administrator may have knowledge of computer programming. Or a cyber-security expert might also have the same skills as a system architect. A project manager might have a small amount of knowledge about many different disciplines.

Another thing to remember: Different companies assign responsibilities differently and have different personnel performing different jobs. Don’t be daunted if you hear the same terms used in a different way at different companies.

The size of a company also affects how it structures its IT department. A smaller company might have one person who “wears many hats” whereas in larger companies employees would probably have more focused job responsibilities.

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