As businesses collect, share and disseminate data, the value of the information continues to be a major target for both insider and external threat actors.
A breach that unveils sensitive information related to any of these could lead to catastrophic results for any company.
“Never has there been more urgency for organizations to bring skilled cyber security professionals on board,” says Ali Khan, a senior information technology, cyber security and risk management professional.
Why now?
Over the past two years, some of the world’s largest corporations have suffered major data breaches and been subject to scandals, including Wendy’s and Sony, the latter of which paid an additional $171 million in compensation to customers.
“You have to start thinking like a bad guy,” Khan says. “And you’ve got to start to consider what the next type of attack might look like. That’s what cyber security professionals are trained to do.”
Khan warns that a successful plan of attack isn’t easy.
“Unless companies can appropriately configure and manage their cyber security tools, threat actors will find ways to win. This is where cyber security professionals come in.”
Spotting the change-makers
Cyber security professionals can identify and understand associated risks and take steps to manage and mitigate those risks, allowing the business to focus on its objectives.
Khan is helping train the next generation of cyber security professionals, as he has helped develop the Cyber Security Program at York University’s School of Continuing Studies with the Lassonde School of Engineering.
Designed for working IT professionals, the entire two-certificate program can be completed in as little as ten months, mostly online.
