There is no shortage of fulfilling careers in cybersecurity. In fact, there’s a real shortage of the cybersecurity professionals we need to safeguard our nation against cyber threats. Today, those with the certifications and skills required to fight threats can earn a premium wage for their services.

This isn’t just a handful of jobs for the taking. As of 2018 there are about six million cyber security jobs that will need to be filled…the only problem is there are only up to five million people who could fill those positions. It’s projected that by the end of 2019 there will still be two million unfilled cyber security jobs.

There are only 2 qualified candidates for every 3 available positions. This is great news if you’re considering a career in Information Technology. Imagine: a high paying career with plenty of jobs to choose from and amazing job security for the foreseeable future.

The Money

According to Forbes, Security Analysts are in the highest demand. These professionals plan and implement security measures to protect the network systems and data of organizations. What does it pay? The national average salary for Security Analysts is over $97,000 per year with many positions paying in excess of $100,000. This is a very promising field for those seeking upward economic mobility as careers in this field have above average opportunities for advancement and below average unemployment rates.

The Education

If you’re interested in becoming a cybersecurity professional, the first step is to earn a bachelor’s degree as most jobs in this field require a four-year degree in cyber security, information technology, or computer science. Some employers will require advanced training and certifications, and possible security clearances. When you consider that the average cost of a public four-year, in-state college degree is $20,000 (including room & board), the potential earnings far outweigh the cost of earning the necessary degree. If you’re a parent of a student considering their future, introducing your child to this option is a smart idea. Many educators are focusing on getting kids interested in information technology through STEM initiatives.

The Opportunities

There are many positions within the cybersecurity field. Some of the most common include; Security Analyst, Security Engineer, I.T. Manager and many more. There are plenty of opportunities, particularly in the banking & finance, government, insurance, and business services sectors. Organizations within these industries deal with highly sensitive information, making them frequent targets for attacks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth in the cybersecurity field is 26% through 2026, which is much higher than that average 7% for other occupations.

With all this in mind, there’s no reason we should have such a shortage of people to fill these lucrative positions in our country. If you’re looking to embark on a career change, or considering your college major, don’t overlook a career in cybersecurity.

While there is a shortage of qualified I.T. professionals, Les Olson Company has a large team of I.T. experts. Let us help your business monitor, manage and secure your network through our Managed I.T. Services program.

Our homes are our safe havens. None of us want to think that a stranger could access our most personal space and leverage our most personal information, but it happens all the time through our computers and other internet-connected devices. Your personal computer is where you store your most precious files, family photos, important documents, private information. Taking precautions to stay safe online will ensure that your personal files aren’t exploited by cybercriminals. The home is also where our kids are accessing the internet, bringing a whole other level of potential threats. In this article we’ll cover a variety of ways you can make your home a haven for online security.

Avoiding Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks have become so common in the workplace and at home. For many cybercriminals, this is the preferred method for gaining access to your personal information and installing ransomware and malware. The good news is, you can learn to spot these attempts and avoid them all together. First of all, it’s important to recognize that anyone can fall for these attacks, no matter how intelligent. Yes, there are some obvious attacks, but many are sophisticated, using psychology to trick you into performing their desired task. Phishing attacks generally come in the form of an email or phone call. You may be asked to click on a link, or provide personal information. Here are some tips for spotting and avoiding phishing attacks:

1. Be skeptical about unsolicited phone calls and emails, even if they appear to be from a legitimate organization. An organization such as your bank, or your doctor’s office will NOT contact YOU asking for personal information. This is information they should already have. When in doubt call the organization at their official phone number to inquire whether they actually need information from you.
2. Pay close attention to the urls and email addresses in the emails sent to you. If there is any hyperlinked text, hover over it with your mouse to see where exactly that link would take you before clicking it. Many times hackers will make an email address or web address that looks just close enough to the real thing to trick you. It may have a slight misspelling, or even take you to a slightly different address like one ending in .biz, for example. Simply clicking on a bad link could install ransomware on your computer. You and everyone in your home should click with caution.
3. Take advantage of antivirus software to secure your home computers.

Talk to Your Kids About Internet Safety

Kids today are introduced to the internet earlier than ever and are more immersed in the online world than many parents realize. Keeping your kids safe on the internet is an important and difficult task. There are so many things to protect your kids from, and the best way to protect them is to make sure they know what to look out for. Start talking to them about internet safety early, and continue to re-enforce the importance of staying safe online throughout their lives. Kids will inevitably run into things they shouldn’t online, so teach them to spot and avoid inappropriate:

1. Conduct: Whether it’s their conduct, or the conduct of others, kids need to understand that certain online behaviors are not acceptable – especially bullying. They also need to be aware that what they post online never goes away and can follow them throughout their lives.
2. Content: There is no shortage of inappropriate content on the internet for your kids to find. Talk to your kids about avoiding explicit images, videos, hate speech and violence.
3. Contact: Kids should be wary of being contacted by strangers, even if they appear to be a pier. It’s important that they understand not everyone online is who they say they are and could be predators, hackers, scammers or bullies.

The FBI offers great, age-appropriate educational games and training for kids through their Safe Online Surfing series.

Staying Safe on Social Media

Chances are everyone in the family has at least one social media account. Here are some tips for being a savvy social media user to protect yourself and your profile.
Be careful what you share. For example, maybe wait until you get back from your vacation to post those pics. Speaking of photos, share only what you want everyone to see – it can stay on the internet for a lifetime and beyond. Don’t share your location and never post private information. The more you share about yourself online, the more you open yourself up to scams and identity theft.

1. Be cautious when clicking links. Clicking the wrong link can get your account hacked or open up your computer to viruses, ransomware and malware. Even if you get a private message from a friend, think hard about whether it makes sense that this person would be sending you a random link.
2. Password protect your phone and tablets if you plan to have social media apps installed.
3. Utilize antivirus software on your computer.
4. Be aware of the privacy policies on the various social media sites you use. Make sure you understand how your information will be used, and what will be shared by default. It’s always a good idea to customize your privacy settings so your posts and profile are only visible to the people you want them to be.
5. You don’t have to accept every friend request. If it’s from a stranger, or someone with no mutual friends, just pass.
6. Create a strong password. Strong passwords will include a mix of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters and special characters. You should also be sure to avoid using full words in your passwords as this can make you vulnerable to brute force attacks. Check out our article – 8 Tips for a Stronger Password.

Cybersecurity & the Internet of Things

People often overlook just how many devices in their homes are connected to the internet, and therefore vulnerable to attack. Technology has taken over the home. Security cameras, garage door openers, routers, streaming devices, sprinkler systems, printers, even some refrigerators. Our homes run off of an internet connection. It’s very convenient…for you and the hackers. Chances are your home is filled with “smart devices” that communicate with the internet, sending and receiving data. Avoid allowing bad actors access to your devices by doing the following:

1. Regularly reboot devices. Most malware is stored on memory, meaning it will be removed upon reboot.
2. Use antivirus software.
3. Change default usernames and passwords.
4. Always install all available updates and patches.

If you’re concerned your devices may be compromised, be sure to submit an Internet Crime Complaint to the FBI. If you’re looking for a good tool to help secure your home computers, check out Sophos Home. It’s a free, business-grade cybersecurity software for home computers. We highly recommend it.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month takes place annually throughout the month of October. It’s a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance with the goal of educating all Americans about staying safe online. With this initiative comes the idea that cybersecurity is the shared responsibility of everyone. From smartphone users to employees on corporate computers, when we’re all aware of the cyber threats we face our entire nation is more secure. Each week in October will have a different focus for awareness. Keep an eye on our blog all month for more information on each of these topics.

Week 1: Make Your Home a Haven for Online Security

Week one underscores the basic cybersecurity essentials the entire family can deploy to protect their homes against cybersecurity threats. We’ll dive into topics like teaching our children to use the internet safely, avoid scams like phishing and what you need to know about all those internet-connected devices in your home. Your home is where you store your most precious data. Family photos, tax documents, home videos, music. We recommend using Sophos Home, a free software to help you protect your personal computers.

Week 2: Millions of Rewarding Jobs: Educating for a Career in Cybersecurity

New technology is exciting, but with new technology comes new vulnerabilities. New developments are outpacing the rate of new cybersecurity professionals. The good news is that there are limitless opportunities for the careers in this field. In week two we’ll explore the millions of rewarding and well-paying jobs in the IT Services industry. In fact, Les Olson Company is hiring I.T. Professionals right now.

Week 3: It’s Everyone’s Job to Ensure Online Safety at Work

Week 3 we’ll review how small and medium-sized businesses can protect themselves by educating their employees and customers against common threats. No matter what your job is, part of that includes doing your part to ensure your organization’s online security. Through training and awareness we can all pitch in to improve security. Les Olson Company offers expert I.T. Services for businesses of all sizes. How secure is your network? Get a FREE network analysis report on the strengths and vulnerabilities of your organization’s network.

Week 4: Safeguarding the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that all Americans depend on the critical infrastructure for things like food, water, banking, healthcare and communications. All of these sectors rely on cybersecurity. A disruption can have catastrophic consequences. In week 4 we’ll explore the technology we rely on as a nation and how cybersecurity plays a critical role in our day-to-day lives.