Cloud computing and online storage of sensitive information has meant that thieves are more determined than ever to get their hands on financial data. This type of crime is still in its infancy and fighting back against invisible thieves is challenging. The MBA in cybersecurity is designed to help organizations create effective defenses against intrusion, protection of existing databases, find strategies to counter potential attacks, and communicate with senior management about these topics as well as discuss expenses, hardware requirements, and staffing needs to prevent loss of sensitive data.
It’s a good time to get an MBA in cybersecurity due to the fact that there are almost 3 million open positions for cybersecurity professionals. Getting an MBA in cybersecurity now means getting in on the ground floor of the profession. Here’s a look at what you can do with an MBA in information security:
Chief Information Security Officer
The chief information security officer (CISO) is a senior executive who is responsible for systems security in a organization. The title may also be used in place of chief security officer or VP of security. This role is wide-reaching and oversees areas that include:
- Security architecture
- Data loss prevention
- Fraud prevention
- Identity management
- Systems access management
- Cyberrisk and intelligence awareness
Someone who holds an MBA cybersecurity degree will find that they draw upon all aspects of their education in pursuit of keeping data secure and safe from threat. It is also a role that has a large degree of responsibility for the organization and its customers. The CISO is a well-compensated role and for good reason.
Information Security Tester
An MBA in cybersecurity qualifies an individual to work in testing information systems against intrusion. The role of an information security tester involves testing the existing systems for weaknesses, penetration testing areas of known/unknown vulnerability, implementing patches, and creating plans to protect databases against intrusion in the current moment and the future.
Security Architect
The security architect role is one that requires proficiency in enterprise level hardware and software, the ability to program, research, and develop security policies for the IT department and end users. A security architect has to be able to create a plan of action, implement them, and supervise the internal and external security systems on an ongoing basis. Earning an MBA in information security is advantageous to someone who has education and experience in these areas as they can use their MBA skills to lead teams and communicate clearly with their staff and others in the organization who are not IT-savvy. The ability to take a strong lead and communicate clearly are important skills for protecting existing systems and preventing unwanted intrusions.
Forensics Expert
The forensics expert is someone who investigates computer hard drives and other types of electronic storage for evidence of tampering or theft. It’s one of the jobs for MBA in cybersecurity that requires specialized knowledge in data recovery and the ability to discern when someone has tried to cover their tracks. The forensics expert also has the role of tracking down the digital point of entry by an intruder and learning from that breach to prevent further break-ins.
The MBA in information security works well with the forensics expert role. The expert has to be able to do all of the above along with determining the extent of the impact of the breach, explain the costs to management, and help develop a security plan for the ongoing protection of sensitive data.
Cybersecurity Consultant
The role of cybersecurity consultant usually involves working as an outsider to an organization. The consultant comes “in from the outside” to evaluate an organization’s existing IT operations, find areas that are being overlooked and creating potential points of access for unauthorized users, examines current IT practices and finds areas that need improving, and looks at the overall security operations of the IT department. The duty of a cybersecurity consultant is to uncover all bad practices and find ways to improve them, then suggest the improvements in a detailed document that’s delivered to senior management.
Having an MBA in cyber security enables the consultant to be that much more effective as an outsider to the organization. Existing IT employees in an organization tend to resent outsiders telling them what to do with their systems. A consultant that has an MBA in cybersecurity has skills that help them relate to employees, put them at ease, and gain cooperation more readily. The MBA skills also help the consultant write documents and explain their results to senior management and executives in a clear and concise manner while convincing them that this is what the organization needs to do to protect itself.
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