How to Combat Cyber Security Threats

The need for cyber security managers is rising across many industries, parallel to the ever-increasing threat of attacks. A certain skill set is required for modern managers to be able to successfully combat these growing risks.

Cyber Security Threats: A Growing Risk

The number of cyber-attacks on businesses of all sizes increases every year, with attackers continually exploiting new and unanticipated vulnerabilities. A global report noted the following trends from the year between 2016 and 2017:

• There was a 10% increase in overall targeted attack activity.
• There was a 46% increase in new ransomware variants.
• There was a 54% increase in new mobile malware variants.

Timeline of Major Data Breaches in 2017-2018

The statistics are staggering – even more so when you look at them in the context of real victims.

• In May 2017, 74 countries’ servers were infected by WannaCry ransomware.
• In September 2017, 145+ million Equifax customers’ credit information was stolen.
• In March 2018, 150 million MyFitnessPal user accounts were compromised.
• In June 2018, 92+ million MyHeritage users’ information was hacked.

As the landscape of crimes becomes more diverse, more companies are becoming vulnerable, with large numbers of end customers feeling the effects of security breaches.  Ultimately, this demonstrates the growing need for cyber security managers (which differ from network security specialists) to actively brainstorm and expect the unexpected.

Essential Skills for Cyber Security Managers

To lead their teams, cyber security managers should have knowledge of programming, architecture, and the latest IT technology and threats.

Cyber security managers must also possess project management expertise, knowledge of emerging tools, expertise in emerging industries, and familiarity with big data analysis—expertise that can be gained with an advanced degree, in many cases.

Why Pursue an MS MIS in Cyber Security Management?

A Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS MIS) with a concentration in Cyber Security Management provides professionals with training in essential areas. These include IT project management, information security management, cyber-attacks and threat mitigation, incident response, and digital forensics. To learn more, view the below infographic by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business:

Infographic Sources:

• Symantec
• The Register
• Fortune
• Under Armour
• MyHeritage
• Datameer
• CSO Online