CYBERSECURITY RELATED
Frequently Asked Questions
CYBERSECURITY 101
Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
It’s only important if you don’t mind losing sensitive data to cyber criminals. Your personal data, intellectual property (IP), protected health information (PHI), important credentials, and more will be the . Securing devices, networks, systems, third-party applications, whether at home or within your organization, is only important if you want to protect and keep it secure. By not securing and protecting your personal information and/or critical infrastructure you are at risk of extreme credibility, reputation and will cost you or your business.
There are five main types of cybersecurity: critical infrastructure security, application security, network security, cloud security, Internet of Things (IoT) security.
Bad threat actors will use a variety of cyber security threats to gain access to privileged credentials when attempting to break into your network, device, software application, or the cloud. These cyber attacks may include (virus, worm, adware, spyware, ransomware), social engineering (phishing, SMS-phishing, pretexting, Business Email Compromise), Man in the Middle (MITM), Denial of Service (DDoS), Password attacks, Zero-Day exploit, ransomware, DNS attacks and cryptojacking.
Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declaredOctober to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally.
Great question! The following cybersecurity habits will help you, your family and/or organization stay more secure in cyberspace:
- Change your passwords, and make them complicated. DO NOT store your password on your computer or use the same password. We recommend using a password manager such as 1Password.
- Implement multi-factor authentication
- Backup your data regularly.
- Update your hardware, software, computer systems and applications regularly, including mobile and IoT devices (Amazon Alexa, Ring Doorbell, etc.)
- Stay clear of public WiFi, use secure networks
- Think before you click. Whether an email at work, on your personal mobile device, on social media, do not trust ANY link.
The Framework integrates industry standards and best practices to help organizations manage their cybersecurity risks. It provides a common language that allows staff at all levels within an organization—and at all points in a supply chain—to develop a shared understanding of their cybersecurity risks. NIST worked with private-sector and government experts to create the Framework, which was released in early 2014.
CYBERSECURITY CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Yes, but not in the way one may think. You don’t have to be a genius, or an IT guru. If you have the aptitude, a winning mindset, the willingness and grit to do the hard work, you will surely excel in your cybersecurity career.
Don’t worry. We are here to support you! Bolt Resources welcomes and encourages you to get connected with us now. Start engaging with the cybersecurity community. And read on to learn what steps you can take today.
It’s not going to be easy. There isn’t a golden ticket. Education and/or certifications alone is not going to give you the keys to a dream job offer, making six figures as a Cybersecurity Ninja. However, if you are truly ready to venture into cybersecurity, then we have a few recommendations for you to consider:
- Keep the long game in mind. Learn to love the process.
- Believe in yourself. Making your dreams come true and accomplishing what you set out to do IS possible.
- Research various job titles, qualifications, and companies.
- Know thyself. Create a cyber career roadmap on your own strengths and passions as it relates to the field.
- Make peace with the fact that you WILL have to assert yourself. –Introverts, we understand this isn’t ideal. It will get easier!
- Build your personal brand and online presence.
- Network, network, network. Grow comfortable with talking to strangers, making friends, and building relationships with those around you. They could be your future boss, mentor, or number one supporter.
- Grow your general knowledge and credentials in IT and Information Security.
- Regularly attend free to low-cost training courses, webinars, and in-person cybersecurity conferences or events.
- Stay up-to-date on the ever changing field of security. It changes A LOT.
- Don’t stop learning. Be curious. Explore. Always ask questions.
- Develop your mental toughness, as your resiliency is pivotal to your success in cybersecurity.
- Refuse to quit. Choose to WIN – EVERY DAY.
No. While many companies prefer to hire candidates who have a four-year degree in a related IT security field, hiring managers will also consider applicants without a bachelor’s degree, but with 1-2 years of hands-on workplace experience in cybersecurity, along with cybersecurity certifications.
- Chief Information Security Officer – CISO
- Security Architect
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Malware Analyst
- Penetration Tester
- Computer Forensics Analyst