The Importance of Information Security

Of all the pressing challenges facing leaders in business and government today, one stands above the rest: keeping their information secure. With computerized technology integrated into nearly every facet of our lives, this concern is well founded. Securing information is urgent for intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and private security firms, just as it is for medical facilities, banks, and every other business that stores sensitive information about its customers.

From high profile breaches of customer information databases, to compromised government servers, 2016 offered numerous reminders of just how critical information security is. Attacks on private information have increased as technology has advanced. Today, hackers pose a threat, not just to corporations and governments, but also to the general public.

In response to this new reality, public and private institutions are rallying to make information security their priority. You might have heard the field referred to as InfoSec, an abbreviation of information security. But what does InfoSec mean?

InfoSec encompasses both digital and physical information—and with confidential data now primarily stored digitally, to secure information often means to protect cyberspace itself.

The History of Information Security

The first damaging hacks emerged in the 1970s, perpetrated mostly by people interrupting phone lines to make free phone calls. In the 1980s and 1990s, as personal computers and digital databases became the norm, individuals who could breach networks and steal information grew more dangerous. In this millennium, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, hacks on content-driven websites, and major breaches of corporate databases define the battle for secure digital networks. Mobile devices and smartphones provide yet another hackable point, one that’s particularly dangerous because of the near universal use of these technologies.

Credit card number theft and computer fraud have increased. Worms, viruses, malware, and phishing software have sprung to life. An entire new sector of crime has been born in cyberspace. In this environment, InfoSec has evolved rapidly.

Threats in Cyberspace Today

New channels of data transfer and storage continuously come to market. Every bit of data that interacts with these new tools needs to be properly secured without damaging or diminishing the functions of the network. InfoSec professionals must perpetually stay ahead of the hackers.

Hackers can discover and exploit weaknesses so quickly that an entire system can be compromised before information security analysts even know there is a problem. Because these attacks are usually made through “zero-day vulnerabilities,” or holes in software that are unknown to vendors, they pose one of the most significant tests of InfoSec. In its 2016 Cybercrime Report, digital security firm Symantec states that the known number of zero-day vulnerabilities in major, open-source Internet plug-ins doubled in 2015 and included the breach of the ubiquitous Adobe Flash Player.

InfoSec Opportunities

New jobs are created in InfoSec every day as a result of these growing threats and the increased security awareness of them. The profession is expected to grow by 28% between 2016 and 2026, which is much faster than the growth rate for other occupations. Given that the median income for InfoSec analysts in the U.S. is $98,350 per year, it’s easy to understand why so many are starting to consider transitioning to information security.

University InfoSec Training

InfoSec graduate degree programs are a great place for anyone with an IT or computer science background to enter or advance in the field. A good graduate program in InfoSec can teach you the specialized skill set needed to prevent cyberattacks, making you an invaluable asset to employers. Earning a master’s degree can also set the stage for greater earnings, provide occasions to form industry connections, and lead to leadership and management opportunities.

If you’re interested in exploring opportunities in this rapidly growing field, explore the best Cyber Security Masters Programs at GWU.

Other InfoSec Training

Professional certifications can further establish your place in the profession. You can train to become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, or get Global Information Assurance Certification. Other training and industry resources in InfoSec require a less substantial commitment. The right path for you depends on your career goals. University InfoSec training often proves to be the most direct way to both certification and professional advancement.

Everywhere, hackers present a clear and present danger. Private security firms and government agencies–including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the CIA–are all recruiting qualified InfoSec professionals as they confront one of the world’s greatest threats. InfoSec is the first line of defense against this criminal activity that can cause irreparable damage.

We’ve been hard at working developing new and exciting camps and curriculum since our inaugural coding for kids summer programs in 2018! For Summer 2019, we’re thrilled to offer new project-based camps at four locations throughout Austin, including:

• Coding & Programming
• Robotics & Internet of Things
• Mobile App Development
• Game Development
• Graphic & Web Design

In our quest to make computer science education for kids more accessible than ever before, we are excited to announce that our coding and technology camps are available not only at Launch’s main location in Westlake, but at partner institutions throughout Austin! New locations include Upward Bound Montessori School (Round Rock area), Concordia High School (Pflugerville area), and Headwaters School (Downtown).

We understand getting there is only half the battle, as not all families may have the funds to invest in an educational camp for their children. This is why Launch is offering two merit-based scholarships to celebrate and encourage diversity in STEM fields! The Girls in Tech Scholarship is available for girls ages 7-14, while the Future Leaders Scholarship is open to members of underrepresented minority groups ages 7-14.

This is what Zoha Omar, recipient of The Girls in Tech Scholarship, had to say about her award and time at Launch.

“I was both happy and excited at winning the Girls in Tech scholarship from Launch Code. It gave me a chance to learn how much fun coding can be. I love going to my classes each week.” Omar

Applications are open now, and winners are announced quarterly. Get the details and apply at launchafterschool.com/scholarship/.

Launch Code After School is an Austin-based STEM education start up founded by a team passionate about providing a Austin summer camps so that they’re ready to be tomorrow’s leaders. Classes are available weekdays and Saturdays for ages 7-14 to learn and build in a collaborative, self-paced environment with more intensive project-based camps available over winter and summer break.

Launch Curriculum Update: MIT App Inventor

We are excited to introduce MIT App Inventor to the curriculum at Launch Code After School! With this new curriculum your child will learn how to build and develop fully functional Android apps that can be published on the app store. Having such skill can help your child build a foundation for confidence in today’s technologically advanced world! Your child will learn programming skills as well as the fundamentals of data and security that lay the foundation for acquiring advanced, full stack developer skills.

From design to testing, our students will learn the basics of mobile app building and then some! Just to list a few, your kids will learn how to…

• Create their own functioning app with interactive features to use on an Android phone.
• Create interactive games, and learn about databases and data security
• Make a pet-sitter app, with several interactive screens and elements that keep score and track your progress.
• Create an app that can read and write data to a real database!

Aside from development, the new curriculum teaches students to be aware of the role that data plays in their lives, and how to keep important data and information safe. They will learn about databases and security, while gaining experience using data management skills that real app developers use! With emphasis in cyber safety and security, we discuss how to prevent hacking attacks by explaining the reasons for protections such as password requirements, two-factor authentication and encryption. By the end of the program, our students will not only be able to create their own app, but will also be able to protect their creations and themselves.

MIT App Inventor lessons are available now for current weekly students, with a 2019 austin montessori summer camp focusing on the subject available for booking today!

The Original Source:- http://blog.launchafterschool.com/mit-app-inventor-curriculum-update