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]]>Government site, financial institution or a grocery chain. What do they, and all other organizations, have in common? They all collect and store data, have a responsibility to keep it safe and will be targets of a cyber-attack at some point in time. Sure, government sites and financial institutions may be subject to ongoing, specifically targeted attacks, but hackers know how to automate their work and set it loose into the ether to find weaknesses. They don’t necessarily care which organization they hit either. If an organization has data that the hacker can make use of or sell, or if there is a platform worth taking over, there is value to them in their efforts and they will continue.
Cybersecurity specialists must approach their job with this point of view in mind. It’s about prevention, constant updates and ongoing reassessments because it is going to happen and you must be ready to block and react if there is a penetration.
Gone are the days when someone completed their education and stopped learning. Especially when it comes to IS and IT departments, the need for regular education upgrades is undeniable. Hackers continue to get smarter and so must those working in cybersecurity. This means taking CISA training, CISM training and other courses that lead to certifications. The CISA certification and CISM certification are provided through the industry leading cyber security organization that is constantly upgrading their curriculums. In turn, authorized partners that provide CISA training and CISM training will have the most up-to-date information and skills training to ideally lead to a successful result on exams and a CISA certification or CISM certification.
Earning designations like a CISA certification or a CISM certification may not seem terribly important, but they prove to others in your industry and those in your organization that you have the skills and abilities to keep up to the challenges and threats in the IT and IS sector. Having recognized certifications may also allow you to earn a larger salary and advance to higher positions within your existing employer’s organization or take advantage of new job opportunities.
These aren’t necessarily tools designed or developed for cybersecurity or penetration testing professionals, but they often make those jobs easier. For example, using team-sharing collaboration tools like Trello or Slack make it easier to communicate, avoid duplication and keep efficiency high.
Port reference guides give the ability to understand the weaknesses in the more than 65,500 ports out there and protocol analyzers like Wireshark helps identify all the comings and goings within a network.
Everyone wants to do the best they can at their job and when they aren’t in the IT or IS department, chances are they don’t care nearly as much as you do about security. Often it is the misguided efforts (or lack of effort) of fellow employees that cause leaks and data breaches.
They didn’t realize that using their dog’s name as a password wasn’t as secure as it needed to be, they just wanted to be able to remember it.
Help your colleagues by understanding their desire to do a good job and show ways to do that within the parameters of the IT and IS department. Most importantly, help them understand why it’s important. Think of that game so loved by two and three year olds – the why game. When people know the why around the importance of their action or inaction they are more likely to do as requested. There’s nothing worse than an employee who thinks you’ve asked them to change their password every month to make your life easier or better. You can’t tell them to avoid public charging stations without an understanding of how that can expose the organization. There’s no need to explain your full job, but give people an understanding of what they need to do and why.
Cybersecurity is definitely about the online world, but the lines are blurring between online and offline security needs as well as security professional job descriptions. While online security may be your bread and butter, don’t dismiss the opportunity to gain an understanding of on-site security as well. This could be related to your job such as looking at hardware like computer systems that don’t allow for USB ports or any other potential external inputs or it may be outside of the IT and IS realm if you’re looking at things like parkade access systems.
Having an understanding of both online and offline security will make you even more valuable to the organization you work for. You’ll be able to assess and implement more holistic security options and/or be a more productive and thoughtful team member on a security planning team.
Organizations are becoming more aware that online security is a growing need and are willing to support further education in the field for IT and IS employees while they are also implementing a broader scope of security measures. Individuals looking to make a difference in the world of cyber security can take concrete steps towards their future by making use of existing tools, advancing their education and appreciating the realities of security where humans are involved.
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]]>Time does not stand still and neither does the workplace environment. Over time there has been a shift from what used to be considered the typical work environment to the custom job designed to give consideration to work-life balance. Most of the norms from 20 years ago are unfamiliar to those living in the 21st century. Think for a moment how much the world has changed.
Remember when everyone worried about life ceasing to exist after Y2K? Millennium parties were held with breathless moments at the stroke of midnight. Many anticipated a colossal power grid meltdown on 1/1/2000. Fortunately, because of code writers and computer technology experts of that era, planes did not crash, data protection was not compromised and a complete global meltdown was averted.
While the millennium catastrophe never happened – radical change did occur with multitudes of shifts in the workplace. There are still traditional workplaces with 9-5 jobs but the norm has shifted creating opportunities for learning paths, flexible scheduling and mobility.
Loosely defined, because there are no set criteria for what constitutes a job or career change, you will find the average person today has 12 jobs in their lifetime.
There are many reasons employment opportunities shine bright for information security and technology folks. Hacking is just one of them. Envision – no pun intended – this for a moment. The average person blinks their eyes 15-20 times per minute. It is a bit disconcerting to think that every 39 seconds – almost as often as you blink your eyes – a hacker is up to no good. This is why ethical hackers will continue to be employed and will require close supervision to keep them on the straight and narrow.
Through a natural progression of working in information technology fields, you have attained certain skill sets that have built a strong foundation for propelling your work discipline forward. That you are reading this indicates your willingness to transition and further suggests you are part of the changing work culture.
Much like the seasons of the year, moving forward allows you to shift your mindset and advance yourself to learning new skills. Though possibly conceived as a self-serving endeavour by some, exploring and altering your own path in a creative way ultimately helped to renew and refresh others.
Having the deep-seated emotion to continue either carrying more responsibility doing the same type of work or a contrasting work experience managing different security disciplines (e.g. ethical hacking v. data protection) means you have separated yourself into a unique class of workers who share a common goal to advance.
You recognize that becoming a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is more than just putting in time at work, paying for, taking and passing an exam. The steps leading up to your decision to take the exam say much about your knowledge, expertise, passion, freedom to choose and about your abilities to lead and manage others. Someone may have suggested you take the next step or you may have decided to take the plunge on your own. No matter how you arrived at this point it is clear you have the sturdy constitution required to transfer yourself into the next best information security manager.
Consider for a moment what altering your career path as a CISM means. It means that you have the opportunity to connect, collaborate and develop others while influencing outcomes in an empathetic manner. You will be afforded the chance to, alongside your co-workers, impact the bottom line of your employer. It goes without saying that you will also be positioning yourself to bump up your own income. Increased pay is good.
Before you start spending those extra dollars commensurate with a management position – on average C$104K – take a moment to think about what is required to achieve and maintain your CISM.
The steps you have taken so far – earning a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science (at a minimum) and gaining work experience has brought you to this exciting place and time. The CISM recognizes you as a standout in the information security world. So let’s talk about the next step – test prepping.
The beauty of the CISM exam is that there are no surprises. Available to you, through ISACA (which goes by its acronym – formerly known as Information Systems Audit and Control Association) is a Candidate Information Guide that will provide you with the guidelines for the next steps. Acknowledging that everyone has their own study habits, if this is your first time taking the CISM exam, you should allow yourself at least ten hours to review and practice the critical information in each of the four CISM domains. Simple math suggests you should allocate between 40-50 hours with tunnel vision studying for exam prep.
Practice makes perfect. Give yourself adequate time to prepare for this 200 question – 4-hour exam.
Upon successful completion of the exam – passing grade is a scaled score of 450 or higher (refer to www.isaca.org) – candidates will receive their official scores within 10 working days via email. Exam locations can be found on ISACA’s website.
Cost for the exam:
ISACA Members: $575 USD
Non-members: $760 USD
Once you have passed the CISM you must adhere to the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics, participate in the Continued Professional Education (CPE) Program and meet the minimum work-experience requirement. It is then your application for certification will be accepted.
The preparation for ultimate success in attaining this unique CISM certification has brought you to a new juncture. Whether you manage cybersecurity or information security you can stand tall with your head up, shoulders back and know that you have stepped up and into your rightful place amongst CISMs leaders worldwide.
You won’t regret advancing your career as one of the highest-paid information security experts and will enjoy working with enterprises that promote safe practices in international security. Share your oneness with the world as you continue to promote the same for others.
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]]>The current state of technology allows for instantaneous connections almost anywhere in the world. Because global connections open up a plethora of opportunities for maleficent individuals to thrive, it is critical there be well-trained, educated, ethical and hard-working individuals to combat the global threats to individuals (in their homes), businesses and governments. As we have become dependent on technology, we also recognize how critical it is that our systems are free and clear of hostile acts. Yes, there are many threats that could impact our lives. Combating profound wickedness is no easy feat unless you are a Certified Information System specialist.
Much like the IT world, where there are no limits to the size of the internet, there are infinite opportunities for individuals interested in the Information Systems (“IS”) arena. Positioning yourself in the IS field, either as a Certified Information Systems Auditor (“CISA”) or Certified Information Security Manager (“CISM”), you will be part of a highly specialized group of individuals interested in the audit, control and security of IS.
Well-respected professionals, CISA and CISM certified individuals have a hand in creating their own future. From IT Auditor (CISA Certification) to Chief Architectural Officer (CISM Certification), you can choose from many jobs to be part of a team or to be a team member managing others.
CISA generally has IT auditors working in security, administration and related jobs. The CISA Certification is the standard that is achieved through progressive learning and work experience. Persons with CISA Certification can anticipate – as an IT Auditor – an average salary of C$90,475 per annum. Entry-level positions start at $70,000 per year while most experienced workers make up to $153,808 per year. Worldwide, less than 80,000 people have a CISA certification.
While the CISM Certification may seem like a natural progression from CISA Certification – better pay and more responsibilities – individuals pursuing this qualification must have a minimum of five years of information security experience and a desire to lead others. Three of those years (or more) must be in information security management work. Additionally, this person not only understands information security management but also comprehends the value to the bottom line in a company or organization’s performance. Salaries for CISM Certified average C$104k per annum.
Expect the following on the CISA & CISM Certification exams:
CISA – 5 areas of concentration:
– The Process of Auditing Information System (21%)
– Governance & Management of IT (16%)
– Information Systems Acquisition, Development & Implementation (18%)
– Information Systems Operations, Maintenance & Service Management (20%)
– Protection of Information Assets (25%)
CISM – 4 areas of concentration:
– Information Security Governance (24%)
– Information Risk Management (30%)
– Information Security Program Development and Management (27%)
– Information Security Incident Management (19%)
Testing times, fees and exam re-takes may vary; however, both the CISA and CISM Certification exams costs are as follows:
– ISACA Members: $575 USD
– Non-members: $760 USD
There are no pre-requisites for taking the CISA exam; however, five years of relative work experience is required.
When you sit for the CISM Certification exam you are expected to already be thinking like a manager.
After you pass the CISA and CISM Certification exams you have additional requirements ranging from Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Program to work requirements. Both CISA and CISM Certifications require you to maintain the Code of Ethics.
CISA – Valid for 3 years with requirements
CISM – Valid for 5 years with requirements
Continuing education and work experience requirements is a small price to pay for the value added in with your CISA or CISM Certification.
There is no right or wrong in the path you choose. If you care about confidentiality, integrity, and availability than you are an excellent candidate for a career in information systems auditing, control, or security.
Whichever path you take – CISA or CISM Certification – you are courageous and on your way to making our lives safer from evildoers. You are a visionary navigating through unchartered waters. Be steadfast in your learning, work diligently and prosper as you strategically help to make cyberspace safer for us all. Dive deeper to discover high-tech success with your CISA or CISM Certification.
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