Advanced technology has brought incredible progress to society, but it’s not without its faults. Chief among them is faulty information security, which breeds identity theft, viruses, malware and hacking, to name a few.
The biggest defense against these threats is information assurance experts, who use a combination of computer science and information technology knowledge to protect sensitive data. These experts counteract threats by ensuring information systems remain trustworthy and secure. Information assurance is particularly critical for government agencies, where a security breach could result in military intelligence exposure, economic loss and system manipulation, or the unauthorized access of hackers which often results in the alteration or destruction of sensitive information. For instance, agencies such as the National Security Agency, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense rely heavily on information assurance specialists to detect potential shortcomings, mitigate risks and reduce threats.
A lack of expertise in information assurance plagues many industries, but it’s hitting government agencies especially hard because of the huge amount of sensitive information they need to protect. There’s a lag in comprehensive, consistent training in information assurance, and as a result, many security tasks are not adequately performed to protect data.
Hands-on training is essential to prepare the next generation of information assurance experts. Here’s why:
Hands-On Training Builds Required Skills
Information assurance is an umbrella term for the company procedures, risk management tools and data protection strategies used to keep information systems safe and secure. It’s a broad approach to security, and rather than focus on specific tools or technology, information assurance relies on strategy to assess the overall effectiveness and security of information systems.
This heavy focus on strategy makes hands-on training more effective than studying from textbooks. Problem-solving and analytical skills are highly sought after in the industry, and those pursuing a career in the field will benefit from enrolling in a pragmatic information assurance degree program that fosters these skills.
Hands-on learning and tackling real-world problems prepares trainees for situations that require rapid, strategic decisions under pressure. In the event of a security breach, professionals must rely on quick wit and best practices to mitigate risks and find better security system procedures to implement.
Hands-On Training Provides Experience with Industry Tools and Resources
Trainees who are familiar with information assurance tools, applications and resources before entering the workforce will feel more confident using these tools on their own. Those pursuing a career in information assurance should be able to analyze networks for a wide range of platforms, including mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. A vast knowledge of various networks makes it easier for professionals to identify which tactics work best, from installing a firewall to building more secure mobile applications.
Hands-on training not only closes the information assurance skills gap and protects some of the government’s most confidential information, but it also reduces the fear surrounding system security. Due to its increasingly high demand, a degree or a certification in this field boosts job security and ensures that information assurance professionals are always a step ahead.
