Johannesburg, 08 Nov 2017
If you're thinking of working overseas then you ought to be considering getting a cyber security qualification, like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) training. Demand for cyber security skills is growing worldwide with Cisco estimating that there are around 1 million unfilled cyber security jobs worldwide. Symantec estimates that this number will go up to 1.5 million by 2019.
The good news is that right now cyber security training is far more affordable in South Africa than it is in Europe or the US, making this the perfect time to get trained in cyber security.
The growth in demand for cyber security skills in unsurprising as there has been a sharp uptick in the number of security breaches around the world recently.
Earlier this year credit agency Equifax was breached in an attack that saw the release of private data for more than 140 million US citizens. And in late September consulting and auditing firm Deloitte was hit by a major hack that saw not only its own internal data being compromised but also valuable data about its blue-chip clients released into the world.
Closer to home, politician Cyril Ramaphosa hit the headlines when his private e-mail was leaked to the media. And just last week a major database, containing information on most South Africans, including ID numbers, gender details, property ownership and contact e-mails and addresses, appeared on the Internet. The origin of the database is still being investigated but the damage has already been done.
The growing trend of cyber attacks is a cause for concern for everyone, says Jumping Bean's Mark Clarke. "We can expect to see an increase in cyber attacks in the coming months and years. These sorts of cyber attacks are a sign of things to come as organised crime understands that online attacks offer easy money and a relatively low chance of getting caught".
For businesses, says Clarke, the writing's on the wall. All businesses are at risk of being hit by cyber attacks and without adequate preparation and planning they stand to lose not just valuable data and finances but also suffer reputational damage.
Cyber criminals are no different to criminals in the physical world, says Clarke. They look for weaknesses and they prey on the vulnerable. The best protection against these criminals, he says, is to learn to think like an intruder. "Ethical hacker training teaches IT staff to not just secure the perimeter of the business but to also be able to identify the weaknesses that an attacker may use to gain entry to the network.
"Systems staff that have a qualification such as the Certified Ethical Hacker are trained to think like a possible attacker. By learning and understanding the tools and processes an attacker would employ to break into systems they are better able to identify the holes in a company's security perimeter."
"Being prepared is the best defence against these cyber threats," says Clarke.
Clarke says the demand for ethical hacker training is growing locally and globally. "The cyber threat is a global one and anyone with the skills to prevent these attacks is in growing demand. Adding the CEH qualification to your CV is extremely valuable, especially for people looking for placement in the global market."
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