Let ECPI University Show You How to Stop Hackers in National Cyber Security Awareness Month
With the number of data breaches on the rise, it’s hard not be discouraged. In many ways, it seems like the hackers are winning. The numbers, as presented in an article by VPN Geeks, are sobering:
- 780,000 records were lost per day in 2017
- 53% of millennial’s experienced cyber crime in the last year
- Healthcare industry ransomware attacks will quadruple
- Cyber Crime to cost $6 trillion by 2021
- More than 60% of fraud originates from mobile devices
- In 2016, Adware affected 75% of organizations
Many people likely feel that there is little they can do to put a stop to it all. Actually, there’s plenty they can do, and that’s what National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) is all about. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, NCSAM is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, provide them with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of the Nation in the event of a cyber-incident.
National Cyber Security Awareness Month Education
Employers can do their part by creating a culture where cybersecurity maintains top-of-mind awareness. That means training is ongoing and employees are held accountable for their actions. As consumers, there are a number of protective measures we can take, including:
- Use Stronger Authentication – Use two-factor or more authentication and/or biometric scanners.
- Consider a VPN – A virtual private network allows you to encrypt communication from your computer to the outside world.
- Password Length – Make it at least 10 characters long and consider using a phase that includes a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Updated Software – Make sure you software and operating systems are current.
- Monitor Your Credit – Check your credit report frequently and consider freezing your credit with one or all of the three credit bureaus.
- Be Suspicious of Links and Attachments – Do not click on them unless you are 100 percent certain of their origin.
Join the Fight Against Cyber Criminals
There’s one more thing you can do. If you’re young and considering your options or maybe you’re unsatisfied with your work and looking for a life change, consider becoming a Cyber and Network Security Professional. At ECPI University, we offer a program that allows you to embark on this path in a relatively short period of time.
Through our year-round, accelerated schedule, you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a Major in Cyber and Network Security in as little as 2.5 years. Our classes are led by industry professionals who have real-world experience, and our hands-on curriculum can prepare you to:
- Do vulnerability analysis/penetration testing of organizations
- Monitor and defend networks
- Administer, manage, and troubleshoot hardware, software, or services
- Use cyber security measures to protect data and manage personnel
- Create basic security policy and procedures
If you’re ready to do your part in the battle against cyber-crime, take a moment and connect with ECPI University. A helpful admissions advisor will be happy to help you explore all of your options.