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Unlock the future by gaining IT security skills

Data security seems to be a hot topic for many firms at the moment. With high-profile security breaches becoming the norm for many companies, it is hardly surprising that the demand for IT skills is growing by the week.

Seeing the need for data security first-hand is hardly a difficult task; the Apple iPhone recently came under threat from hackers, who used SIM cards from the phones to make calls to premium rate services overseas. A similar scam has also affected Google Android handsets in recent weeks.  With such big names such as Apple and Google being affected by cyber criminals, smaller firms are understandably realising that prevention is preferable to dealing with the aftermath of such an attack.

So great is the need for IT security skills that the Cyber Security Challenge UK has recently been set up. Designed by experts, the programme aims to test people's knowledge about such issues and encourage them to pursue a career in the industry. This is achieved by running a number of competitions and quizzes that will capture the imagination of the youth of today, before presenting them with options of how to pursue this exciting career.

Furthermore, key organisations such as the Internet Services Providers' Association (ISPA) are recognising the need for such schemes in order to protect organisations against growing security threats. Nicholas Lansman, secretary general of the organisation, commented: "The work that cyber security professionals do is incredibly important and ISPA welcomes the effort to encourage more people in to this profession." He stated that companies are increasingly in need of improving their confidence in online operations, which in turn means ensuring that they are properly protected while using the internet. "It is not only about having the tools to provide data protection, but knowing how to use them," he added.

A recent poll by Verizon Business identified that the majority of security breaches last year would have been avoided if basic security measures had been implemented. Just four per cent of the incidents assessed required difficult and expensive protective measures. Meanwhile, 60 per cent of the breaches were identified by external parties, suggesting that businesses need to up their game if they are to avoid falling victim to scams in the future.

It is not only the companies themselves that are at risk of security breaches, but rather their employees as well. With an increasing number of firms making use of social networking and other internet-based activities that expose data to those outside, an awareness of data protection is perhaps greater than ever.  Not only do these people need to be taught about the pitfalls of working online, but also how to react if a security breach were to take place. "People just don't seem to take security seriously when they interact in the social media environment," commented David Bennett, director of consumer business development at Webroot software for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Businesses need to ensure their security is up to scratch not only for the potential problems it could cause them, but also because they are required to do so by law. Earlier this year, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) revealed new rules for privacy online. It stated that organisations which flout the regulations not only risk enforcement action from the ICO, but also the loss of trust from customers.

There is no doubt that companies are now in search of security-savvy IT professionals - but where can these qualifications be earned?

Computeach offers a wide range of courses for those looking for a career change, or simply wanting to get formal qualifications for skills they already have. A number of its courses encompass security issues, including website design, programming and database administration. With so many areas of a business now exposed to security risks, having expertise in any of these disciplines will give an enormous advantage in the workplace.

The majority of the learning undertaken with Computeach is carried out in the home, with experts at hand to assist with gaining the qualifications. At a time when data security is at the fore not only for large businesses but also small firms, it is the time to get the necessary IT skills to be able to make a difference.