Consider a Degree in Cyber Security if you Love Technology

Cyber security is one of the most pressing and important issues facing the United States. It effects every industry and every person--from government to business to anyone who uses a credit card to make purchases. According to the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), every American is at risk of having their identity, personal information or financial data stolen through cyber-attacks. And the attacks just keep coming.

Luckily, there are people who love technology, have training in cyber security, and work around the clock to keep the country safe against cyber threats. They are cyber security professionals, and they are among a growing group of people on the front lines in the battle against identify theft, invasion of privacy, internet fraud, file piracy, hacking and more. Here is a look at some traits shared by many cyber security professionals.

Your love for technology comes naturally

For some, technology and its inner workings comes naturally. Maybe you are a "digital native" who grew up with a deep understanding of networks. Perhaps you are a self-taught aficionado. Or maybe you're simply someone who has always loved leveraging technology to solve problems. People whose minds are wired to intuitively understand and love technology often make outstanding cyber security professionals.

You can (and always do) anticipate problems

If you're the type of person who is naturally skeptical, analytic, and always focused on anticipating problems, you just might make an excellent cyber security professional.

Networks are only as safe as their weakest links, so having a natural predisposition toward identifying vulnerabilities is a valued trait in the cyber security industry. In other words: worriers are welcome.

You are detail oriented

Cyber security experts speak a unique language. Sure, it's foundation is the English alphabet, but its most important messages are found deep in the details of long log files that contain thousands upon thousands of entries.

The best cyber security professionals are detail oriented who have the ability to look through copious amounts of data to find even the smallest deviations from the norm.

You have a methodical mind

If you are detail oriented, there's a good chance you also have a methodical mind. It's one thing to be able to find and identify incorrect code or a single misspelling, it's another thing entirely to be able to put in place slow-and-steady systems that allow you to stay focused and find them.

Things are not always what they seem in cyber security, so it's important to use trusted, proven and methodical systems to validate, prove and prevent disasters.

You like challenges

The internet never sleeps and neither do cyber criminals, phishing scammers, and those who want to attack personal and professional networks.

For this reason, the work of the cyber security professional is almost never done. As soon as one security update is developed and successfully installed, another threat or vulnerability emerges.

If you are the type of person who always likes to be dealing with challenges, a degree in cyber security might be perfect for you.

You can communicate complex information in easy-to-understand ways

Not everyone understands networks, what they are or how they work--especially leaders of government agencies, businesses and organizations. This can lead to confusion and costly delays.

That's why the ability to communicate is so important. Quickly explaining complex problems (as well as possible solutions) in non-technological terms is critically important. It allows you to help your leaders make swift decisions that are in the best interest of network security.

You are pragmatic

The best way to keep your network safe is to shut them down. Then there's password protection, which could include requiring employees to change their passwords every other week (and require them to be 35 characters long).

Of course neither of these security steps is feasible. That's why the best cyber security professionals are pragmatic. They have the ability to identify and implement realistic solutions so that networks are secure as well as easy to operate.

Are you ready to launch your future in cyber security?

Do you love technology and want to make a life out of it? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security - Cybersecurity Track, consider ECPI University for your education. With accelerated classes, you could earn your degree in as little as 2.5 years. For more information, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.

For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.