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More and more businesses are entering the online world in order to better reach and interact with their target audience. While there is no denying that today’s increasingly online world has made interacting and transacting easier for both businesses and consumers, this development has also come with a different set of problems. Due to how interconnected things are online, cyber attacks are a real threat for both enterprises and consumers, highlighting the need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is a process that pertains to protecting and recovering systems, networks, programs and devices from the various forms of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity covers a lot of ground, including databases, servers, mobile devices, and the like.
Why is it important to keep your cybersecurity practices updated?
There are many reasons why IT professionals should keep their cybersecurity practices up-to-date. Some of these include:
1. Customers Provide You with Sensitive Information Everyday
Increasing online interactions between customers and enterprises has resulted in a relatively casual exchange of sensitive information such as home addresses, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and the like. Customers willingly provide this information because they trust you to be able to keep that information secure. Needless to say, failing to do so can have significant ramifications.
2. Security Breaches Cost a LOT of Money
The cost of a security breach can easily skyrocket into the millions–and that’s only to resolve the breach itself. There’s also the matter of resolving a loss of trust from your customer base through marketing campaigns and lost profit due to the inevitable decline in sales. In nearly every case, the cost of keeping your cybersecurity team and systems up-to-date is far less expensive than trying to fix a security problem.
3. Cyber Attacks are Becoming More Sophisticated
Hackers and cyber criminals now have access to some sophisticated programs that make it easier to breach security measures. Given how nearly every company has multiple externally exposed systems, cyber criminals also have numerous entry points to choose from. This is why cybersecurity professionals of all levels should constantly update their knowledge and practices so they stay ahead of potential threats.
Whether you are an experienced IT professional looking to specialize or a young developer interested in carving out a niche for yourself, cybersecurity is definitely a field that you should try to learn about. With technology developing at a rapid pace (think smart homes and virtual reality, AI, and other similar emerging technologies), there is sure to be no shortage in the demand for top level cybersecurity experts across all industries.
Fortunately, there are several online courses for cybersecurity that you can check out. Some of these even allow you to earn Microsoft certification in this field of expertise. If you are interested in specializing in cybersecurity, it’s definitely a great opportunity to keep yourself updated.