You might be aware of the recent news about Heartbleed, a newly discovered security bug. Information security analysts are frantically trying to resolve this security breach that is allowing hackers to steal encryption keys and other stored data from our email accounts and social networking sites. In this digital age, hackers and identity thieves are constantly trying to exploit our personal information, which puts information security analysts in high demand. So if you are a detail-oriented problem-solver who is interested in computer programming, then this might be the right career for you! Banks want to protect financial information; hospitals want to protect health information; corporations want to protect research; and government leaders want to protect military secrets. President Xi Jinping of China stated, “No Internet safety means no national security.” And that sentiment was felt in the U.S. as a British man was arrested for hacking into the United States Federal Reserve as well as military computer systems. Information security analysts are needed to protect computer networks and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Information security analysts analyze security measures, report flaws, train employees, install software, and document security information. On top of this they must think about how the company would handle a disaster. What would happen if a tornado or earthquake demolished a company’s headquarters? Implementing a disaster recovery plan by using a secure off-site location to protect data is also an essential part of the job. Some colleges are now offering classes to teach students how to program from a hacker’s viewpoint by hacking into systems and reporting what they find. This “penetration testing” is one aspect of the information security analyst’s job. Since cyberattacks are hard to predict, information security analysts must try to stay up-to-date with security trends by attending conferences and researching methods that hackers are using. Due to increased demand, the information security analyst career is projected to grow 37% over the next ten years. Wow! And as hackers gain skill, the need for information security analysts will continue to grow. The cybersecurity field is growing so rapidly that employers are concerned that there will not be enough qualified job seekers to fill the available positions. With an average salary of $86,170, it might be worth considering if you want a stable career in a computer-related field. A bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, or a similar field and knowledge of several key programming languages would open the door to great opportunities in this field. CAA Coaches recommend that all students fully research their career options. And as always, CAA clients are welcome to contact us with any career questions.
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