As published in the March/April 2020 edition of InfoSecurity Professional Magazine By Shaun Aghili, DBA, CISSP-ISSMP, CCSP, CISA and Bobby Swar, Ph.D. In May 2018, two major banks in Canada—Bank of Montreal and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce—received email threats from malicious hackers claiming to have gained access to customers’ sensitive information. The attackers demanded $1 million in cryptocurrency from each bank or they would publicly release customers’ information. The successful attacks on these banks led to 90,000 customers’ account information being compromised and an undisclosed amount of money lost as the result of the security breaches. In recent years, the global banking sector has been the main target of severe cyberattacks. This, of course, is largely due to the enormous

It’s a great time to work in cybersecurity. Demand for security professionals continues to grow, and the need for qualified people with certain security certifications is strong. But getting that first opportunity to work in security can be challenging. That’s because security is a field where personal relationships count just as much as experience and education. So how can you get a leg up and develop the qualifications necessary to land a job? Here are 5 suggestions for forging your path to gainful security employment. Train and Join an Association One of the first places to start when you’re preparing for a career in security is a reputable association that offers training and education to help you learn the skills

Last week, (ISC)2 launched the annual Cybersecurity Workforce Survey and we need to hear from you. When the study is released later this year, it will be shared with government agencies and security policy makers, as well as referenced in countless media reports. The report is often used by organizations of all sizes around the world as a benchmark for security hiring strategies. To participate, please take the survey here: ow.ly/i23d50zEj6F Your participation in the survey will help shape the conversation around the cybersecurity workforce during the year to come. Build awareness for the issues that matter most to professionals like you by telling us about what you are experiencing in the field every day.     If you would like

(ISC)2 recently announced the CISSP certification has been formally recognized as comparable to the U.K.’s Master’s degree standard, following the completion of an independent benchmarking process. We’ve compiled information here to help members – especially those in the U.K. and across Europe – understand this achievement. What does the CISSP being assessed as comparable to the U.K. Master’s Degree Standard mean for me and other CISSPs? While the value and importance of a globally-understood cybersecurity certification is well known within the (ISC)2 community, reinforcing the meaning of the certification in relation to other forms of education, and professional distinction and accomplishments is equally important. Doing so aids understanding across educational institutions and employers, and also supports members in unlocking even

The needs of those pursuing a cybersecurity career are unlike any other field. Stress is high, and the knowledge and skills it demands are evolving and changing all the time. That’s why it’s a great idea to have a mentor to serve as a sounding board at critical points throughout your career. A mentor can provide feedback on career management that you might not find in a job and also help you forge relationships with key contacts in the industry. Here are three key steps to cultivating this important professional relationship. Do Your Research Before you even try to find a mentor to help guide you, it’s essential to identify what that person’s professional role is and how it enables