How a Masters in Information Security can Benefit your Business

Banks, gaming networks, government sites and retailers all got hit by cyber-attacks in recent years. Although these organizations can’t change the past, adding someone to their team with a master’s degree in information security could help benefit the safety of their businesses in the long run.
Information Security Basics
Information Security protects the availability, privacy and integrity of company data. No matter how often people are warned about not using passwords such as “password” and “123456,” USA Today reports that that is still leading the pack in user passwords, including with larger companies. Someone who is savvy with Information Security would be a useful guide in helping employers and employees learn how to have effective password security. However, Information Security is more than just complex passwords. The education field also includes how to help companies with privacy regulations, antivirus and malware protection, firewalls, legal liability and protecting company data.
What an Information Security Representative Can Do That Software Cannot
While it may seem cheaper and easier to just buy some antivirus software and hope for the best on company software, hackers often practice how to get around store-bought antivirus software. Thinking that software is automatic protection is a bit like installing a gate after buying a dog. While the gate may keep the dog in a certain surrounding, all it takes to wreak havoc is a mail carrier or visitor opening that same gate by accident or on purpose. Information Security graduates are trained to deal with the worst-case scenarios. For example, hackers use malware (computer viruses, spyware, and worms) to break into company computers. Information Security analysts can help companies tweak firewalls in order to stop malware from being installed again. Having an education in Information Security can also help users understand how the malware was added in the first place.
Respecting Customers’ Privacy
There is no public relations nightmare quite like a company not knowing what exactly they’re supposed to protect for each client’s online account. Information Security also involves both companies and clients having full knowledge of what’s included on the non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) forbidding classified information to be released. This includes what terminated employees, as well as current employees, can legally release about company trading and selling practices, client names and the status of financial accounts.
Information Security doesn’t just protect a company from technological issues but customer service issues, too. Any company that utilizes computer software to handle everyday tasks, including something as simple as e-mail correspondence, should have someone on staff who knows the ins and outs of Information Security.