Computer Security Training

Computer security training is a necessity in the age of hackers, identity thieves, malware and cyber crime. Computer security training happens at two levels. At one level every employee of the company must be familiar with common security practices to secure the computing environment. At the other level are the security experts who lay down computer security policy and implement it. Computer security certifications like the CISSP are aimed to give software professionals the skills to secure the IT resources of the company. Computer security training must be done to bring the system in line with PCI data security standards.

At the individual employee level, computer security training may comprise of presentation on security best practices, like keeping a password alphanumeric, preferably with special character and with at least 8 characters in the password. Non technical employees usually do not pay attention to such details. One way to get their attention is by a password cracking demonstration. This should be done only with written permission.

Another example of everyday practices which affect security is powering down the computer. Laptop computer users can make their computers inaccessible to hackers just by shutting down their connectivity devices or laptops computers. Computer security training must be provided to individual users in this regard. Sometimes when a solid security perimeter is in place powering down is not essential.

Incident response is an essential part of computer security training. Usually incident response teams are coached to act in a carefully coordinated manner following a number of predetermined steps. The incident response begins with determination of crime. Once the crime has been determined, reporting of the incident is done to senior executives. If the perpetrator is an insider the human resources team is informed. Documentation of the whole process is done. A decision is then taken on whether to use internal employees to further the investigation or call in the big guns. If experts are hired to investigate the crime, the crime scene real and virtual must be left untouched so as to preserve evidence.

The CISSP is one of the professional computer security certification programs available. Though computer security can be taught, much of it must come from experience. The computer security team is usually headed by a CISO or CSO who synergizes computer security activities and helps in the computer security training of employees. Computer security training leads to a proper evaluation of system vulnerabilities and internet security threats, and trains the individual to deal with various classes of attack and intrusion. Certification coupled with experience in computer security, an individual is equipped to deal with malware, DOS attacks, and other unauthorized intrusions.

Computer security training is the result of a new era of internet crime and cyber terrorism, and is now a specialized sought after field in computer training. Organizations are now willing and eager to invest in individuals who can help them ward off attacks on their data. Computer security training has resulted in a new kind of security professional, one who safeguards real wealth by protecting virtual assets.