“The cyber thieves were smart. Instead of targeting corporations and large banks that had state-of-the-art online security, they went after the accounts of medium-sized companies, towns, and even churches. Before they were caught, members of the theft ring managed to steal $70 million.” – FBI report
As an information technology and information security professional, you may not face the kind of threats tackled by the FBI. However, a recent international bank fraud bust underscores why your work is crucial in protecting your company’s intellectual and financial assets. When you’re not thwarting security threats, you’re faced with changing technologies and new IT requirements.
How can you keep up?
Consider earning a graduate certificate. Graduate certificate programs can add specialized knowledge to bachelor’s and master’s programs, and keep you up-to-date with technologies and trends. They offer bursts of specialized knowledge and real-world, hands-on learning.
Why pursue a graduate certificate
Maybe your bachelor’s degree is not quite enough to land certain positions, or you want to advance with your current organization. Maybe you are looking for a way to transition into a new area, or you just want to be better at your current job. Regardless, graduate certificates let you dig deeper into special topics without the commitment of a graduate program.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that new technology will continue to drive the demand for workers, especially managers.
One certification organization, CompTIA, offers this statistic: Despite the high unemployment rate, there are more than 450,000 IT job openings in the U.S. The group says many of them require skills that are tested though its certifications.
Why the time is now
Changing technology, career boost, industry demand: These are all excellent reasons for pursuing certifications. Here’s another one: Your competitor for that dream job may already have the desired certifications. CompTIA says demand for its certifications rose by 23 percent in 2009.Those who earned certifications say it pays off:
- 75 percent say their certifications make them more attractive to employers
- 84 percent say they now have the skills necessary to fulfill a job’s requirements
A recent IBM report underscores another benefit: “Overall, professionals who had earned an IT or project management certification during the last five years earned an average of $5,242 more than their counterparts.”
Online certifications
Consider online learning as a flexible and convenient way to earn the certifications you need. For example, American Public University offers three online graduate certificates in the information sector, IT Project Management, Information Assurance and Information Systems Security. All require a bachelor’s degree and include just 18 hours of coursework. Here’s the kind of knowledge you can gain in the Information Systems Security certificate program, including 10 information security domains:
- Access control
- Application security
- Business continuity and disaster recovery planning
- Cryptography
- Information security and risk management
- Legal, regulations, compliance and investigations
- Operations security
- Physical security
- Security architecture and design
- Telecommunications and network security
Challenge question
“We are building our lives around our wired and wireless networks. The question is, are we ready to work together to defend them?” – FBI
So, are you ready?
– By Online Learning Tips Staff
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