If you’re looking to start a career elsewhere, strongly consider cybersecurity. This article is a complete guide on cybersecurity for beginners.
Keeping the data safe and secure is more important than ever. Cyberattacks happen all the time, especially in the current crisis we’re living in. We’re relying on technology greater than ever. Thus, this has given hackers more opportunities to steal data.
However, there is a massive shortage of people with the necessary cybersecurity skills. An ISC study reported that the number of cybersecurity professionals must increase by 62% to meet the growing demands of today’s businesses.
Indeed, pursuing a career in cybersecurity can give you huge payoffs. However, it’s crucial to learn its fundaments even you’re not looking to start a career in the industry.
After all, we possess data and we surely don’t want any threat actor to access it. Read on to see the explanation of cybersecurity for beginners.
What Is Cybersecurity?
The term “cybersecurity” pretty much sums up its meaning. This is the practice of protecting confidential information such as electronic data and computer systems.
Moreover, it means protecting such content from cyberattackers. These threat actors have the motive to access, steal, or destroy sensitive information for their personal gain.
Why Is Cybersecurity Important?
All enterprises must prioritize cybersecurity regardless of their size and industry. Furthermore, even all individuals must take strong measures to protect their data. But why?
We’re living in the digital era, and almost everyone practically connects to the Internet. The number of devices capable of connecting to the Internet is dramatically increasing every year. Moreover, almost every part of our lives is tracked electronically.
For instance, sensitive information such as health records, financial information, utilities, and many more are being tracked electronically. Indeed, this fact has brought immeasurable benefits to our lives. Yet, there will always be risks as your data is spread to more places than ever.
Thus, the confidentiality of your data depends on what measures you take – it’s up to you to protect it. Businesses that get breached suffer from both financial and reputational damages. That’s why experts predict that the spending on cybersecurity will increase by 8.1% from 2020 to 2024.
Information Security vs Cybersecurity
Many people often interchange or take these terms as synonymous. Yet, they actually have a slight difference.
Information security (InfoSec) refers to keeping the data secure – whether that data is in a digital or physical form. Even protecting sensitive information in a physical filing cabinet still counts as InfoSec.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity only refers to protecting digital data. For instance, it protects the network, server, and the cloud.
Moreover, InfoSec usually deals with preventing unauthorized access, modification, or destruction. On the other hand, cybersecurity typically involves preventing cybercrimes and cyber threats.
To put it simply, cybersecurity is a subset of information security.
Do You Need A Degree To Pursue A Cybersecurity Career?
The simple answer here is “not really”. Many successful cybersecurity professionals don’t have degrees. However, you need to put extra effort into gaining the necessary knowledge and experience.
