Cybersecurity Laws: What Do I Need to Know to Work in the Industry?
A study commissioned by IBM Security found that the average total cost of a single data breach reached $3.86 million USD in July 2018. With bigger and more widespread threats facing internet users each day, cybersecurity continues to be an evolving issue for governments, businesses, and individuals around the world.
In an effort to protect citizens, the federal government has enacted laws that seek to define malicious online activities. Other laws are aimed at creating consequences for cybersecurity breaches and instituting safety measures to prevent or reduce the effects of hackers and scammers.
As someone seeking a future in cybersecurity, you might wonder: What are some of the cybersecurity laws you may not know about? Why do those seeking a life in cybersecurity need to be familiar with these regulations? How does a formal education help aspiring cybersecurity professionals prepare for the challenges ahead?
Review of Current Cybersecurity Laws
Cybersecurity law is a delicate discipline. Laws that restrict potentially illegal activities may also unintentionally infringe on the general rights of the public. For this and many other reasons, there are only a few federal regulations that address cybersecurity issues. The three main pieces of legislation are:
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA): As the internet grew more popular, lawmakers took action to protect the digital transmission of personal health data. Medical facilities, health insurance providers, and other healthcare-related industries must follow guidelines to keep patient data out of unauthorized hands.
- Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999: This legislation tackles issues in consumer finances markets. Banks, loan services, insurance companies, car lots, and any other business that has access to financial details must disclose how that information is used, stored, and shared.
- Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002: As a part of the expansive Homeland Security Act, this piece of legislation provides guidelines for upgrading federal networks to better resist attacks.
Other laws are currently being considered to bolster existing regulations and create new defenses in the quickly evolving world of cybersecurity.
The Importance of Legal Knowledge for Cybersecurity Professionals
For cybersecurity professionals, knowledge of current laws is an essential part of their daily job duties. How does this information help technicians protect users from malicious access?
- For some industries, federal regulations are a necessity. Not keeping up with updates to laws and regulations could lead to compliance issues that can endanger your business.
- Regulations are designed to encourage the safest possible networks. Knowing what the government currently recommends allows technicians to build more secure networks as well.
- As the internet becomes more important in our daily lives, companies that take special measures to protect their clients have an advantage over their competition. By conforming to federal regulations, technicians can show their clients that they truly care about their online safety.
Cybersecurity professionals should make an effort to stay informed on any changes to legal standards related to their industry.
How Formal Education Prepares You to Defend the Networks of the Future
Besides understanding federal regulations, a formal education prepares future cybersecurity professionals to take on the tasks of protecting users, data, and systems from hackers:
- Newer programming languages offer network designers and software programmers greater flexibility. However, they also create unique opportunities for intelligent hackers. A formal education gives cybersecurity professionals insight into the ways newer technology can be defended.
- The Internet of Things is changing the way we approach online access. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices present unique challenges for cyber defenders. In a formal training program, students learn techniques to protect data while it’s on-the-go.
- Cybersecurity isn’t just about computers. It takes a strong team to do the job right. A formal education in cybersecurity gives students the leadership tools needed to manage an IT team, work with consultants, and train end users in proper techniques.
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