10 Compelling Reasons to Study a Cyber Security Course

In today's digital age, cyber threats loom large, making cybersecurity a crucial field of study.

This guide explores ten compelling reasons to delve into a cybersecurity course, shedding light on the significance of this discipline, its relevance in the IT landscape and the fundamental knowledge it imparts to combat cyber threats.

What Is a Cyber Security Course?

A cybersecurity course is an educational programme designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to protect computer systems, networks, and sensitive data from cyber threats. It covers a wide range of topics, including encryption, network security, and risk management.

Why Is Knowledge of IT Important When Studying Cyber Security?

To study cyber security, you must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED). However, it is recommended that you have a bachelor's degree or undergraduate studies in Computer Science or Information Technology.

This is to ensure that you understand the fundamental building blocks of IT. Cyber Security is essentially the practices used to guard against threats and attacks to IT systems and processes. (Source: Springboard)

What Is A Cyber Security Attack?

Tech Target, a leading blog on technology and innovation defines cybersecurity as a malicious attempt to access a computer or a network of computers by unauthorized persons (Source: TechTarget).

Cyber attacks intend to disrupt, weaken, and steal valuable information and assets from a network or protected system.

In a Gartner study, it was noted that 80% of organisations vow to increase their investment in cybersecurity by 2024 (Source: Cobalt).

Furthermore, cyberattacks are rising within the online community at a concerning rate. According to an IBM study, the total number of cyberattacks tracked in 2021 (a total of 21,518) has increased to 23,964 by 2022 (Source: IBM Security X-force 2023).

10 Reasons Why Should You Study Cyber Security:

1.   Learn to protect your digital assets:

Cybersecurity safeguards your digital assets, preventing unauthorized access, data breaches, and theft. It can help you become competent in protecting your own personal digital identity and data as well.

2.   Learn to fight cyber threats:

With the rise of cyber threats, studying cybersecurity is essential to proactively defend against evolving attack methods. Reputed cybersecurity courses train students in core industry practices and open up many doors to learn trade secrets.

3.   Become a professional who can ensure business cyber safety: 

Cybersecurity measures contribute to the uninterrupted operation of businesses, preventing disruptions caused by cyber incidents. Do you know the number of losses a business can incur due to a temporary shutdown? Cyber attacks can lead to massive internet shutdowns. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has addressed Internet Shutdowns and security compromises as a threat to human rights terms. According to Michelle, such shutdowns can cause incalculable losses to a country. (Source: UN)

4. Increase your efficiency at safeguarding privacy:

   Individuals and organisations entrust sensitive information online. Cybersecurity ensures the privacy and confidentiality of this data. Ever since the advent of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Human identity theft has become a cause for major concern among many countries. As a Cybersecurity professional, you would be equipped with the arsenal and knowledge to guard against such cybersecurity attacks.

5.   Become the person to address skill shortages:

The increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals makes it important to study and bridge the skill gap in this field. Cyber Security Jobs are poised to grow at an exponential rate of 18% over the next five years from 2023! (Source: Simplilearn) Glassdoor reports that a cybersecurity professional can draw around 44,000 SGD annually. This is the current average cybersecurity salary in Singapore. (Source: Glassdoor)

6. You can help businesses and operations Comply with Regulations:

Many industries are subject to national and international data protection regulations. Cybersecurity knowledge is crucial for compliance with these regulations.

7. Helps mitigate financial losses:

Cybersecurity measures help mitigate financial losses associated with data breaches, legal consequences, and reputational damage.

8. Learn to uphold National Security:

Cybersecurity is integral to national security, protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive information from cyber threats.

9. Assist in fostering innovation:

A secure digital environment encourages innovation by providing a safe space for the development and deployment of new technologies.

10. Benefit from multiple career opportunities:

Studying cybersecurity opens diverse career opportunities in a rapidly growing field with high demand for skilled professionals. Singapore can be one of the top destinations for cybersecurity jobs and employment. Graduating from a cybersecurity course in Singapore can open many doors of opportunities for you. Singapore’s market for cybersecurity is poised to grow to 363 million dollars by 2025 (Source: knowledgehut). Cybersecurity is also listed among the critical skills list and obtaining work visas can be very easy if you are trained through a reputed cybersecurity course in Singapore.

In conclusion, learning cybersecurity is not just a skill; it's a responsibility in the digital era. From protecting sensitive information to upholding national security, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated.

With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, pursuing a cybersecurity course becomes not only a career-enhancing move but a commitment to securing the digital world.

If you are looking for a good cybersecurity course to get started in this field, look no further than the London School of Business and Finance Singapore (LSBF).

LSBF has partnered with various reputed education providers like AWS Educate to curate industry relevant courses for its students. Furthermore, the Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity at LSBF is available to students in both online and on-campus modes.

This course is a 6-month intensive training in the core concepts and in-demand skill of Cybersecurity in the modern-day digital industry.

Consider enrolling today!

This article was written by Rebecca Paulraj and edited by Taylor Gardner.

FAQ 

Are cyber security courses important?

A: Yes, cyber security courses are crucial in today's digital landscape to develop skills and knowledge needed to protect against cyber threats and contribute to the overall security of digital systems. The importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated given the current rate of digitisation in our world.

How should I prepare for a cyber security course?

A: Prepare for a cyber security course by familiarising yourself with basic IT concepts, networking fundamentals, and staying up to date on current cyber threats. Having a strong foundation in these areas will enhance your readiness for a cybersecurity programme.