The term advanced persistent threat (APT) was originally used to describe complex, ongoing espionage perpetrated by foreign governments. However, today, APT typically refers to a category of cybercrime directed toward businesses or government entities. APTs are usually online attacks used to achieve goals beyond those that can be met by a single security breach, but some may involve malicious activity conducted onsite. Compromised computer systems are continuously monitored by the attackers or added to a stable of slave computers to be used to achieve some future goal. APTs are most often perpetrated by employing some form of malware, and IT technicians defend against APTs by installing antimalware software and hardware firewalls.
Nearly every security breach in a company’s online network is caused by some form of malicious computer program. These programs are generally referred to as malware, but they exist in several distinct categories, including viruses, worms and Trojan horses. Being able to identify when and how malware is affecting a computer system takes specialized training, but this knowledge increases the value of any IT security technician or manager who possesses it. These individuals are capable of assessing the scope and severity of a malware infection, which leads to efficient and detailed planning of the steps required to eliminate the malware and recover any lost data or system resources.
The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification is intended for professionals with at least ten years of experience in security administration. Five of those years must be hands-on technical experience. The CASP does not require that any previous exams have been passed, but is a higher-level exam than the CompTIA Security+.
After the walls came down on 9/11, the walls went up on computer security. Cybercrime, computer-based terrorism, and nuisance computer hacking have become major problems in a world increasingly dependent on information technology. Computer forensic specialists have trained to uncover evidence of computer tampering not only to point out violations but also to get legal evidence for use in prosecuting criminals.
UPDATED October 2022. As the cybersecurity industry matures, there are increasing opportunities for experienced infosec professionals to move into senior management roles in and around the Washington, DC, region. With the rapid rise in volume and severity of cyber threats, these roles are challenging and bring much responsibility, but they offer technologists an exciting career with lucrative salaries.
CISSP is one of the primary certifications that IT professionals can earn to prove their information security management prowess and take advantage of the opening opportunities in the field. But what is CISSP, and what is the average salary you should expect for a CISSP-related job?
In the last few years, businesses have started to transition over to cloud computing solutions that make it possible for them to recover data, and to save money on equipment costs. Because of the convenience that comes with cloud computing, there has been a massive movement in this area, and it is poised to get even bigger in the near future. Tech firms who want to capitalize on this phenomenon need to put an emphasis on learning security measures for the cloud.
If you're thinking about pursuing a career in the information technology field, it helps to have a basic goal in terms of the kind of work that you'd like to do. There is a wide array of job titles and roles within the IT industry, and it's easy to get confused when browsing through them. One way to narrow things down is by getting a clear understanding of the differences between the industry's most common careers: network administration, systems administration, IT security and information assurance. With a firm grasp of those basic roles, you should have an easier time choosing the right career path. Learn more about each of these common information technology careers below.