Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing professional fields today. As we become more reliant on the internet, wireless networks, and our mobile devices, we also become more susceptible to cyber attacks. Unfortunately, that means that the number of high-profile cyber attacks is on the rise. In order to keep organizations’ data and money safe from hackers, the demand for certified cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high and still growing.
Anyone who is looking to enter the rapidly expanding field of cybersecurity should seriously consider getting a CompTIA certification before entering the job market. Of course, this means learning the latest cybersecurity precautions prior to taking any CompTIA security analyst certification exam.
What is CompTIA?
For almost forty years, the Computer Technology Industry Association, or CompTIA, has been issuing certifications to information technology professionals. They issue vendor-neutral exams and their professional certifications are an industry standard for anyone looking to work in information technology.
While a CompTIA certification isn’t required to work in information technology, a job candidate with a CompTIA certification has a competitive edge over uncertified candidates. Employers know that candidates who are CompTIA certified outperform candidates who are not certified. To put it plainly, the job market is crowded. Having a CompTIA certification can be the difference between your foot in the door and your resumé in the trash.
CompTIA frequently updates its certification exams to reflect industry trends and changes, so it’s important to know the latest practices in your field before taking an exam. Since these exams cost $300-400 and have strict guidelines for passing, you don’t want to be unprepared. Whether you are new to the field and taking the Security+ exam, or you are a seasoned Cybersecurity Specialist looking to recertify your expired CySA+, being up to date in the latest trends in cybersecurity is key to passing your exam.
The Latest Cybersecurity Precautions You Need to Know
1) Threat Awareness
A large percentage of cyber attacks come from basic human error. An employee falling for a phishing attack can have widespread ramifications for an entire company. The ability to identify tactics used in cyber attacks and disseminate that information to clients is necessary for anyone working in cybersecurity. Every CompTIA certification exam in the cybersecurity field will test your threat awareness.
2) Data Analysis
Often, clients will ask you to search for and identify vulnerabilities in their IT system. The most effective cybersecurity analysts are not only able to gather data on an organization’s vulnerabilities, but they are also able to analyze that data. Successful data analysis is the first step in diagnosing threats and preventing cyber attacks.
3) Applied Cryptography
Clients want to be assured that their internal communications are secure. Confidential intra-office communication is key for anyone who wants to avoid leaking trade secrets or public relations issues. As a cybersecurity analyst, your job is to make sure your clients’ lines of communication are secure and keep them secure.
Applied cryptography, or the practice of secure communication techniques, is all about keeping private communication out of the public eye. If you are looking to take a cybersecurity CompTIA exam, you will need to be apt in cryptographic practices like authentication, data integrity, and non-repudiation.
4) Network Hardening
Hackers can gain access through outdated software as well as old usernames and passwords. Network hardening is the process of reducing a system’s vulnerability by removing the points of entry from which an unauthorized user can extract data or enter data of their own.
To harden your network, you may have to determine which of your clients’ software or features to remove. Your clients may also be unaware of which usernames and passwords that need to be updated. You may also need to configure and install a firewall for your clients.
While network hardening may seem like a set of basic, do-it-yourself cybersecurity precautions, may organizations are oblivious to how many exploitable points of entry their network has. When preparing for a CompTIA cybersecurity exam, you must be able to find and eliminate every point of entry from a network.
5) Network Monitoring
Every CompTIA cybersecurity exam tests your ability to monitor and interpret data from an intrusion detection system, or IDS. An intrusion detection system monitors your clients’ network for outside threats and malicious activity.
Your job as a cybersecurity expert will be to implement an intrusion detection system on your clients’ network. If there is any malicious or unusual outside activity, you must communicate it to your client.
6) Identity Management
While you should certainly make sure you are keeping the wrong people out of your clients’ networks, you should also make sure you are letting the right people in. This means installing a strong identity management system on your clients’ network.
An identity management system is a software that ensures that the proper people have access to the proper technology and information. This means setting up digital identities for everyone in your clients’ organization and then instructing them on how to keep that identity secure. Of course, a temp won’t have the same access as an executive, so you will also be required to set up the permissions for each identity.
7) Incident Response
Unfortunately, any organization you work for is a possible target of a cybersecurity incident. Every great cybersecurity analyst has an incident response plan ready to be implemented in those worst-case scenarios.
An effective incident response plan will be implemented at the detection of a security breach and will reduce any losses or damages your client faces. Even if your client has never been the recipient of a cybersecurity attack, you should have an incident response plan in place.
Preparing for a CompTIA Cybersecurity Exam
While the process of studying and internalizing all of these cybersecurity precautions may seem daunting, 30 Bird has the materials you need to get prepared. 30 Bird has courses to help you learn the exam material, whether you are taking CompTIA certification exams for Security+, Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CySA+), or Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP).
Our courses are instructor-led, hands-on, and concise. We’ll help you cut through the clutter and let you apply your knowledge before your CompTIA cybersecurity certification exam. For more information about our materials, call us today at (888) 330-9071, e-mail us at info@30Bird.com, or visit 30Bird.com. We want to help you succeed.
