GJEF Specials Blog

Highlights

• Reasons for cybersecurity
• Understanding risk and vulnerability
• Focus: how you use the internet – from web browsers and social media contenting to your mobile device and connectivity – information risk
• Security awareness for people working from home
• Strategies to Mitigate Risk / Counter-measures to potential cyberattacks: deterrent/preventive/avoidance control
• Report from Security Experts and Whistleblower: Edward Snowden
• Reactions / comments / Q&A
• Career in Cybersecurity
• Conclusion

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Reasons for cyber security awareness

• Protection of resources (especially your data) against threat agents/hackers. Hackers can exploit your data vulnerabilities (information gathering)
• Ever-increasing usage of social networks, apps, and emerging remote jobs across the globe poses the risk of a data breach
• Scammers, spammers, and Internet frauds are on the rise like never before  – a reference to the dark web
• Your data is your asset – if it’s compromised, you’re not safe.

Understanding risk and vulnerability

• Risk – the probability of loss/exposure to danger.
• Vulnerability – weakness in a system that can be exploited.
• Lack of security awareness puts you at great risk due to vulnerabilities inherent in the Internet, mobile apps, networks, and social networks.
• See vulnerability as a Value – What is it going to cost you, your loved ones, your business, or the organization if it is exploited?

Focus of the cyber security awareness:

How you use the internet – from web browsers and social media contenting to your mobile device and connectivity – particularly information risk

• Web browsers and mobile apps have vulnerabilities that are constantly exploited by threat agents.
• Take caution while using third-party software apps. Some of them are designed primarily for data breaches – there are a countless number of them.
• Read terms and conditions of services carefully before you tick the ‘Agreement box’.
• Beware of giving authorization and/or permission to apps in accessing your device storage, camera, messages, and microphone.

Security awareness for people working from home

• Connectivity between your home network and that of your company cut across some distance. There’s a potential risk of interception by threat actors.
• Data exchange can be intercepted.
• Hackers can access your home network and further gain control of the organization’s network
• Risk of eavesdropping by neighbors, visitors, and relatives.

Strategies to Mitigate Risk / Counter-measures to Potential Cyberattacks: deterrent/preventive/avoidance control

For general users

• Use 2F/3F Authentication
• Avoid sharing personal information on social networks (esp. PII)
• Take caution while granting permission or authorization to apps requesting to access your device storage, messages, camera, and microphone.
• Avoid connecting to public free WiFi.
• Do not visit suspicious websites. Avoid clicking on links in spam emails.
• Shut down your WiFi, hotspot, or device when not in use esp. at night.

For remote workers

• Isolate your home office & dedicate it for work within working hours – not accessible by relatives or visitors.
• Separate your office network from a home network.
• Hide WiFi SSID and use the latest encryption technology with a strong password.
• Confirm your VPN tunnel is secured & well configured by the IT team.
• Monitor your network and ensure no one else is connected to it.
• Make sure no one is eavesdropping on your conversation.
• Use a dedicated device for work purposes only.

Careers in Cyber security

Considering a career in cyber security?

• There is significant demand for well-qualified information security/cybersecurity & IT risk professionals in Ireland (and globally) due to skill shortage. This means Increased salaries.
• Earn industry certifications to progress through the career ladder at a faster pace. It’s a highly dynamic industry. Which industry certifications are right for me?
• Key job roles in cybersecurity include Security Analyst, Security Engineer, Security Architect, Penetration Tester, Security Consultant, and Incident  Responder.

In Conclusion

“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

– Benjamin Franklin