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As the Internet continues its rapid expansion, there are some important questions to answer about cyber and network security. Since the Internet is still relatively new and has unique issues, it's important those issues are properly discussed and taken care of. Perhaps the most important issue is how the Internet ties into the US Government's current security plans.
That's exactly what the Cybersecurity National Action Plan attempts to address. The CNAP is President Obama's long-term strategy to solve the security issues created by the Internet while attempting to preserve the privacy of its users.
History of Cybersecurity
When brilliant minds were developing the groundwork for computers and the Internet, they probably never could have guessed what it would grow to be. In the early days of computers, they were mostly inaccessible to the public, massive in size, and performed poorly. It wasn't until the 1990s and early 2000s that most households had an internet-connected computer.
With the initial popularity and mystique of the Internet, somebody was bound to take advantage. Sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s, the first computer worm (an infected file that replicates itself) was spread. This is known as the Morris Worm, after its creator, Robert Morris.
Later on in the 1990s, the first viruses came on the scene. Named "Melissa" and "ILOVEYOU," they infected millions of PCs globally and caused the failure of many email systems. Unlike many of the more recent virus attacks, there was no clear motive, financial or otherwise, behind either of these attacks.
By the time the 2000s rolled around, the Internet was really thriving and hackers had some idea of what could be accomplished through it. This was the rise of the more malevolent financially-based attacks. One of the most notable cases of credit card information breaches was Albert Gonzalez, a man whose criminal organization stole the information of at least 45 million credit cards and cost TJ Maxx's parent corporation about $256 million.
Even today, there are attacks that devastate the lives of millions. One of the most recent examples of this is Target's 2013 breach, in which hackers stole information of about 40 million customer credit cards.
The financial side of hacking has become one of the most important cybersecurity issues. With so many businesses and services allowing you to pay online using a credit or debit card, you need to be able to trust the companies you're doing business with.
What Will CNAP Do?
The CNAP has a multitude of goals and strategies to help users feel more secure online. According to the White House website, the highlights are:
- Creating the "Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity." The purpose of this commission is to aid the government in deciding which actions can be over the coming decade.
- Modernizing Government IT and modifying the Government's strategy for dealing with cybersecurity. This will require $3.1 billion from the Information Technology Modernization Fund. This includes the creation of a new position, Federal Chief Information Security Officer.
- Helping Americans to secure their online accounts. Traditionally, passwords were the only form of verification needed to log into any online account. Now, the move is toward a combination of multiple forms of authentication, such as single use SMS codes or fingerprint identification. This is known as multi-factor authentication.
- Finally, there will be an investment of over $19 billion for the 2017 fiscal year, an increase of more than 35% over the 2016 fiscal year.
Essentially, the CNAP aims to modernize the Government's stance on cybersecurity through a combination of increasing funding, improving authentication, and the creating of new branches and positions within the government.
What Does It Mean for Me?
If you're someone who's interested in a career in cybersecurity, the Cybersecurity National Action Plan will surely have some implications for you. One of the most important parts may be the changes within the job market. The larger the Internet grows, the more demand there will likely be for those who are knowledgeable about it. With a nation (more particularly, a Government) deciding to take increased action on cybersecurity, there will likely be a heightened focus on hiring exceptionally qualified individuals.
Get Involved with a Cybersecurity Degree!
That means it's up to you to make sure you have the qualifications and experience people desire. Our Cyber and Network Security program could teach you how to implement, manage, and troubleshoot hardware, software, and services. You could earn your Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Cyber and Network Security in as little as 2.5 years! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
Meet Hilary, ECPI Graduate in Network Cyber Security http://t.co/w7COufjSM5
— Saravana Thiagarajan (@saravana_tk) January 3, 2014
DISCLAIMER – ECPI University makes no claim, warranty, or guarantee as to actual employability or earning potential to current, past or future students or graduates of any educational program we offer. The ECPI University website is published for informational purposes only. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained on the ECPI.edu domain; however, no warranty of accuracy is made. No contractual rights, either expressed or implied, are created by its content.
