Building IT skills in information assurance and cybersecurity

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As technology advances, new opportunities bring with them potential threats in the form of cyberattacks, digital vulnerabilities and data loss. Auditing risks and protecting and securing digital information have become more important than ever.

Information assurance and cybersecurity is the management and protection of knowledge, information and data. It combines two fields:

• Information assurance, which focuses on ensuring the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality and nonrepudiation of information and systems. These measures may include auditing and assessing risks to different systems and incorporating protection, detection and reaction capabilities.
• Information cybersecurity, which centers on the protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction. This could include security applications and infrastructure like firewalls, intrusion prevention and other countermeasures.

Information systems play an important role in the infrastructure that supports commerce, banking, telecommunications, healthcare and national security, driving the need for qualified professionals in the information assurance and cybersecurity field.

Here’s an overview of this growing industry.

Information assurance vs. information cybersecurity

Although related, information assurance and information cybersecurity are two different disciplines. Both disciplines involve a variety of similar applications, including risk management, cybersecurity, corporate governance, compliance, auditing, business continuity, disaster recovery, forensic science, security engineering and criminology.

Skills you could develop in the field

Those working in the information assurance and cybersecurity field need to understand the progression and use of data within organizations to assist with designing and implementing appropriate business systems. Traditional business systems could include databases, networks and applications.

Professionals in the field will be called on to solve security and data-retrieval issues, as well as help with computer system design and networking. They may be expected to maintain disaster-recovery plans, which copy data into storage backup files that are located outside the IT network.

Due to the potentially sensitive nature of security systems and data, an understanding of ethical, legal and regulatory issues is needed, especially in healthcare and other environments that require privacy.

Because cybersecurity ties directly to the discipline of computer science and information technology, individuals will typically need a strong technology background or interest in information systems to their professional goals in that area of focus. Experience with computer science, information technology, research and development, the completion of security certifications and consulting activities can all help build professional skills in cybersecurity.

How to earn an information assurance and cybersecurity degree

As you explore your professional goals in the field of information assurance and cybersecurity, a bachelor’s degree in information technology can help you establish those fundamental skills. The BS in IT, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity degree from Capella University could help build processes and technical strategies for mitigating risks and protecting information assets. You’ll also develop an understanding of the interpersonal skills to help navigate different business environments.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree under your belt, a graduate degree can help elevate your skills further. The MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program from Capella is designed to help establish your expertise in one of three specializations.

• Network defense: This specialization helps develop your ability to perform vulnerability assessments and prepares you to defend against security breaches in complex digital environments. You’ll learn applications of different cybersecurity tools to meet identified network defense needs.
  
  
• Health care security: This specialization helps prepare you for the security needs of the healthcare field. You’ll learn how to analyze federal and state security requirements, determine risks and apply compliance processes to protect patient privacy.
  
  
• Digital forensics: This specialization helps develop your ability to perform advanced computer forensics. You’ll learn about the legal challenges associated with digital investigations and ways to uncover hidden data.

Information assurance and cybersecurity are important to all industries. Knowledge, information and data are among the most critical and coveted components any organization possesses. Especially in this digital age, protecting and managing these assets is vital, and the need for information assurance and security professionals is growing.

Learn more about the Capella BS in IT, Information Assurance and Cybersecurity and MS in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity programs.