What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer devices, networks and digital data from cyberthreats, such as unauthorized access and the criminal use of stolen information. It includes both proactive measures to prevent threats and reactive strategies to address breaches. Professionals collaborate to identify vulnerabilities, develop strategies and respond to incidents in real time using advanced tools to protect systems.

As a highly collaborative field, cybersecurity relies on teamwork and communication. Professionals coordinate with various departments to establish policies and practices, ensuring a comprehensive approach to digital security. Effective cooperation, problem-solving and strong communication are crucial for maintaining a secure environment in the face of evolving cyber threats.

In This Article:

• What Is The Importance of Cybersecurity
• Types of Cyberattacks
• Essential Components of Cybersecurity Systems and Practices
• Specializations Available Within Cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity Career Options to Consider
• Pursue Your Future in Cybersecurity at GCU

What Is the Importance of Cybersecurity?

It’s expected that by 2027, the average annual cost of cybercrime around the world will total more than $23 trillion — a significant increase from $8.4 trillion in 2022.¹ Cybersecurity is critically important for companies, nonprofits, public entities and all other organizations because any type of computer system at any organization could potentially be targeted by cyberattacks. These attacks can be costly, both in terms of monetary losses and in terms of the organization’s reputation in the eyes of the public.

What does cybersecurity do for organizations, exactly? With a robust cybersecurity system, organizations can reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack. This may enable them to preserve their reputation, reduce costly losses to attacks and protect their customers’ and their own sensitive data.

Types of Cyberattacks

There is a multitude of cyberthreats out there. Cybersecurity systems and practices are designed to protect against all of them, including:

Malware 

Malware refers to all types of malicious software, such as ransomware, spyware and viruses. When a user clicks on a compromised link or email attachment, malware can infect the device, installing the malware software. Then, malware may disrupt the system, cause the system to be inoperable, obtain information covertly or, in the case of ransomware, cause certain parts of the system to be inaccessible.

Phishing

Usually, phishing is done through email. It occurs when fraudulent emails are sent from a source that appears reputable for the purpose of stealing sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or account information. For example, a phishing attempt may appear to be from a healthcare facility informing the recipient that a new message is available in their patient portal. If the recipient clicks on the link, they may unknowingly provide their account login information to a bad faith actor.

Denial-of-service (DDos) attack

A DDos attack occurs when cyberattackers, sometimes using a multitude of compromised devices, flood systems or servers with traffic. The purpose is to use up all of the system’s bandwidth so that legitimate traffic is unable to access it.

Essential Components of Cybersecurity Systems and Practices

The most robust cybersecurity systems offer more than one level of protection for safeguarding networks, devices and data. That is, cybersecurity professionals may focus on people, processes and technology together. Each of these three factors may have certain vulnerabilities that could potentially compromise an entire network.

For example, cybersecurity specialists may educate and train the employees who work at their organization to follow cybersecurity best practices. These practices can include selecting strong passwords, avoiding clicking on potentially dangerous links in suspicious emails and backing up their data regularly. 

Cybersecurity experts may also implement smart processes or procedures for protecting systems and detecting attacks, and they implement technological solutions like malware protection, firewalls and email security systems. All of these measures combined can create a robust network of defense against cyberthreats.

Other examples of specific practices and tools that cybersecurity professionals may use include the following:

• Physical security: Cybersecurity professionals evaluate the location where digital devices or servers are stored and may recommend improvements to the physical security system.
• Software: These experts use various software tools to identify and block or respond to cyberattacks.
• Multi-factor authentication: Users can only access systems or data by providing multiple forms of identification to prove they are authorized users.

Cybersecurity specialists may collaborate with computer and information systems managers to implement programs and best practices, such as user training initiatives, or to recommend technological upgrades when necessary.

Specializations Available Within Cybersecurity

If you decide to earn a cybersecurity degree, you may examine multiple areas of cybersecurity, such as network security and information security. Cybersecurity professionals may similarly decide to focus their careers on one or more specializations.

Specializations can include:

• Cloud security
• Information security
• Governance, risk and compliance
• Identity and access management
• Incident response
• Network security
• Digital forensics
• Ethical hacking

Cybersecurity Career Options to Consider

If you understand the importance of cybersecurity and are eager to pursue a career in this field, you may be curious about the career pathway. Job requirements can vary from one employer to the next, but information security analysts are generally expected to hold a relevant bachelor’s degree in computer or information technology. Cybersecurity professionals may also need to have related work experience in an information technology department, and they may hold one or more professional certifications.²

There are a variety of career options to consider pursuing within the cybersecurity field. Some possibilities to explore include the following:

• Computer and information systems manager
• Computer systems analyst
• Information security analyst
• Computer and information research scientist
• Computer network architect
• Database architect
• Software developer
• Software quality assurance analysts and tester
• Data scientist

Alternatively, you might consider pursuing a career as a database administrator or architect, or as a computer network support specialist.

Is Cybersecurity a Growing Career Field?

As you reflect upon your career options within cybersecurity, it’s only natural to wonder what your career prospects might be. You may be pleased to know that cybersecurity is indeed a growing career field, with positive job growth expected for the foreseeable future.³

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the estimated job growth rate for information security analysts is expected to be 33% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than the average for all professions. At this rate of job growth, employers expect to hire about 59,100 new information security analysts during this time period.³

Pursue Your Future in Cybersecurity at GCU

Grand Canyon University invites future STEM professionals to prepare for their future. Our private Christian university offers a number of cybersecurity-focused degree options, including the Bachelor of Science in Applied Cybersecurity Management degree and the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program. Alternatively, you may apply to earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with an Emphasis in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Management or a Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations.   

Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor and begin planning your future at GCU.